HRC to ‘Duck Dynasty’ star: ‘being gay not a choice or a sin’

WASHINGTON – In a recent interview with GQ magazine, the star of A&E’s hit Duck Dynasty called homosexuality a sin, and equated it with promiscuity and bestiality. In the remarks, for the magazine’s January 2014 issue, Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson says sin “Start[s] with homosexual behavior and just morph[s] out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.” Robertson goes on to say that “the homosexual offenders” will not inherit the kingdom of God. Robertson also offers, in crude and explicit language, why he finds women more appealing than men.

Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin shared the following statement in response:

“Phil Robertson’s remarks are not consistent with the values of our faith communities or the scientific findings of leading medical organizations. We know that being gay is not a choice someone makes, and that to suggest otherwise can be incredibly harmful. We also know that Americans of faith follow the Golden Rule – treating others with the respect and dignity you’d wish to be treated with. As a role model on a show that attracts millions of viewers, Phil Robertson has a responsibility to set a positive example for young Americans – not shame and ridicule them because of who they are.

“The A+E Network should take immediate action to condemn Phil Robertson’s remarks and make clear they don’t support his views.

“2013 has been a year of tremendous progress for equality across the entire country. We’ve seen straight Americans stand up for their LGBT friends and loved ones like never before – showing their support for marriage equality in communities across the country, lobbying their lawmakers for equal workplace protections for their LGBT neighbors, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us against hate crimes targeting people just for who they loved. I hope young people hurt by Phil Robertson’s comments remember these victories rather than his callous words. This is a reminder that our work of changing hearts and minds is far from complete.”