NOW Co-Sponsors LGBT Event in Colorado Springs

By Lisa Weiner-Mahfuz, Senior Field Organizer-Lesbian Rights

April 8, 2005

"For someone who considers himself 'moral,' James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, spends his days sowing the seeds of bigotry and intolerance throughout the country. There is nothing moral about that," said NOW President Kim Gandy.

On Sunday, May 1, NOW activists will join lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their allies for a protest at the Focus on the Family headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. The purpose of this action is to highlight and counter the misinformation Dobson spreads about LGBT people and their families through his radio broadcasts, publications, web site and email alerts.

This May Day event is co-sponsored by NOW and organized by Soulforce, Inc., a national interfaith non-profit whose purpose is "freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from religious and political oppression."

What exactly does Dobson have to say about LGBT issues?

• Dobson believes that same-sex marriage and even civil unions are "special rights."
• Dobson accused the We Are Family Foundation of exploiting SpongeBob SquarePants and other cartoon characters in a "pro-homosexual video" with a "sinister agenda" aimed at elementary school kids. The video, in fact, was designed to teach tolerance and diversity.
• According to Dobson, homosexuality is a "disorder" that can be healed. He urges parents with "an effeminate boy or a masculinized girl" to "seek immediate professional help."
• Dobson claims there is a "vigorous effort by gays to infiltrate the Boy Scouts in the same way lesbians have done so successfully in the Girl Scouts, where 33 percent of their staff is said to be lesbian."

"It's important that NOW co-sponsor this protest and that NOW activists make our voices heard in Colorado Springs on May 1. James Dobson and Focus on the Family stand against everything that NOW activists fight for every day: freedom, justice and equality for all women and girls," said NOW Action Vice President Olga Vives. "It's critical that we stand together with Soulforce and other allies to stop this right wing extremist agenda from oppressing our families and communities."

For information about the location of the protest, registration, directions and hotel information, please visit the Soulforce web site.