As part of their ‘Southern strategy,’ the Human Rights Campaign will launch a television spot tonight in the Jackson, Mississippi market that takes aim squarely at one of the most conservative, and homophobic, regions of the country, reports Jay Reeves for the Associated Press. The goal is part of a larger strategy to address huge discriminatory gaps in civil rights that, despite sweeping marriage rights victories, remain firmly entrenched in the region.
According to Brad Clark, director of Project One America for Human Rights Campaign, “the commercials are the group’s most direct effort yet to confront religious attitudes involving sexual orientation and non-traditional gender identification. Polls have shown that Mississippi is among the most religious states, with more than half of its 3 million residents belonging to Southern Baptist churches. At the same time, Mississippians are far less likely than the average American to say they know someone who is gay, according to Human Rights Campaign. It’s the first time we’ve led with this message, and it’s historic for the South,” said Clark.
And while hardworking, taxpaying, God-fearing LGBT Americans can tell their tales of blatant bigotry until they’re blue in the face, sometimes the most powerful voices come from the very people who hearts and minds are the ones trying to be changed.
Like Mary Jane Kennedy. 61, who defines herself as a conservative Christian Republican and is the mother of two gay sons. As Reeves tells it, “Kennedy was initially apprehensive about speaking out so publicly about such a private topic, but she said her faith led her to the belief that spreading kindness, love and caring was more important than her own fears.
The Mississippi effort — which will cost $310,000 — is part of an $8.5 million, three-year effort launched six months ago in the three states. Other commercials may follow in Alabama and Arkansas depending on the reception and results of the Mississippi campaign.
Naturally, not everyone from the faith-based community is on board. Perennial antagonist to the LGBT community and president of the American Family Association, Tim Wildmon, offers up his usual anti-gay nostrums. “If you’re trying to change peoples’ fundamental religious views that’s a pretty daunting task. For those who take the Bible literally there are some pretty clear scriptural references … that show homosexuality is unnatural.”
Wildmon added, when explained that the goal of the campaign is to change people’s hearts and minds, “What’s wrong with the hearts and minds of Southerners?”
I have very mixed feelings about this ad. Listen to it. Read its text at the HRC web page. It seems to presume everyone is Christian, or worse, should be. The ad campaign is called “We are all God’s children”. It sounds like proselytizing by the HRC. It sounds like it is saying that all gay people are the ones who need Christianity the most. I find this offensive and pandering to Christians. Firstly, there are many non-Christian gays who do not need or even want to be Christian. We realized years ago that the Christian religion, church, texts, and people are the greatest barrier to our happiness and equality. Religious reasons are the most often, and the main reasons cited by homophobes for their reasons for being anti-gay. The churches have funded and spent lots of money to oppose us and continue to teach and preach of our evil, sin, and need to change us into straights. In many, many ways, Christianity (and Islam) are our enemies. I find it difficult to support an ad that implies I need Christianity or that I am one of God’s children. I am not. I don’t want to be like them. I just want them to stop hating and opposing me. I am a Humanist.
Here is what the HRC says about Humansim:
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-humanism