Hillarysworld

http://michiganmessenger.com/36668/straight-pride-shirts-at-tea-party-rally-draw-fire

I'm starting to get those same feelings that I had back in 08 when Obama said and did nothing to rein in the obots' bad behavior, which meant he was supporting it. Some of these Tea Party people are getting out of hand, and in this case the larger organization is actually putting their official stamp of approval on it.

BTW, last October I attended a rally that was organized by the Tea Party Express. I didn't hear any overt homophobia, but one of the speakers did say that "America is a Christian nation." That remark made me extremely uncomfortable, even though I am a Christian. And now they've got vendors selling homophobia T-shirts...

I am really not liking this.
State and national organizations who represent the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are expressing outrage over t-shirts bearing the slogan “Straight Pride” offered for sale at a Saturday rally of the Tea Party Express.

The person selling the t-shirts told the Michigan Messenger that his company — the name of the company could not be made out on the tape due to a loud blast of noise, but it ended in “free media” — was an official sponsor and financial supporter of the Tea Party Express, saying that they typically give 10-15 percent of their sales to the organization. He wore a button saying “official sponsor.”

Gay advocacy groups say the shirts are reminiscent of the “white pride” slogan adopted by racist groups who oppose equality.

“It’s like white supremacy,” says Penny Gardner, president of the Lansing Association for Human Rights, a Lansing area lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights group. “It’s as if they are saying the idea of supremacy is some how the American way. The American way is about equality, and equality is all we’re looking for.”

“It sends a message that this is a cause for a certain group of people,” says David Holtz, executive director of Progress Michigan. “That group is older white people, straight apparently. It sends the message that if you are not in the group, you really aren’t welcome.”

“What’s troubling is the idea they are getting support and clearly making money off a vendor who is making money off discrimination against gay and lesbian people,” said Holtz. “And they think that’s OK. That’s what’s troubling.”

“‘LGBT Pride’ has long been an inspiring, powerful and celebratory rallying call, and its appeal is obvious. But this doesn’t appear to be a case of imitation is the highest form of flattery. Instead, it’s veiled homophobia in action, and peddling homophobia and profiting from it are both immoral and unacceptable,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Cole had a message for the candidates who attended the rally Saturday night as well.

“Anyone who is running for office should be mindful of these sorts of practices, because they don’t have a place in our country,” Cole said. “It especially shouldn’t be associated with our elected officials.”

Speaking at the rally were gubernatorial candidates Mike Bouchard and Mike Cox. In addition, Brian Rooney, a candidate vying for the nomination of the Republican party to challenge Mark Schauer, a freshman Democrat from Battle Creek, spoke. Steven Mobley, a candidate for the 62nd district of the state House also addressed the crowd. All of them are Republicans.

Mike Cox also spoke at the rally I attended last October. He is a notorious homophobe. And FWIW, I am currently supporting a moderate GOP candidate for Governor named Rick Snyder so please don't take this post as an attack on all conservatives.