FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2011
Media Contact: Rachel E. B. Lang, 612-600-0277
LGBT Activists Glitter Bachmann to Protest Anti-Gay Rhetoric
Confront Bachmann With Connection to “You Can Run, But You Cannot Hide” Ministry
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Following a speech in her home state, pro-LGBT activists added Michele Bachmann to the list of Republican presidential candidates who have been “glittered” to draw attention to their grave and hurtful anti-gay rhetoric.
Shortly after a speech at the RightOnline conference, pro-LGBT activist Rachel E. B. Lang approached Bachmann, threw glitter in the air, and said, “You can run, but you cannot hide! Keep your hate out of our Constitution!” — a reference to the “You Can Run But You Cannot Hide” ministry for which Bachmann has helped raise money [1] and to a proposed ban on same-sex marriage in Minnesota. The ministry, a brainchild of rabidly anti-gay Bradley Dean, charges thousands of dollars to speak at public school assemblies and evangelize young people based on a shocking and offensive anti-gay program.
Bradlee Dean, the ministry’s founder and chief evangelist, was invited to give the opening prayer during the recent Minnesota legislative session that considered putting an anti-gay marriage amendment on the 2012 ballot. The prayer was so offensive that it was denounced by both Republicans and Democrats, and the house chaplain was asked to give another prayer immediately afterward. The ministry often charges thousands of dollars to speak at public school assemblies, which have routinely drawn criticism for its over-the-top evangelism and have even caused school principals to call follow-up assemblies to apologize to students. [2]
Bachmann has a long history of anti-gay rhetoric [3] and mainstream media outlets are starting to pick up on her extremist viewpoints. [4]
“My response to Michele Bachmann’s hateful and anti-gay rhetoric was light-hearted, but these issues are very serious,” said Minnesota resident Rachel E. B. Lang, today’s glitterer. “Bachmann’s support of groups like You Can Run But You Cannot Hide show exactly how extremist she is — she in no way represents the values of Minnesota and certainly does not represent the values of America.”
Lang is straight and a lawyer in Minneapolis, and has several gay family members, including her mother and her 75-year-old uncle who recently married his 75-year-old same-sex partner in Iowa.
“As long as Michele Bachmann and other out-of-touch politicians are attacking my family and limiting my freedom, there will be more and more glitterings across the country,” said Lang. “Today I welcomed Bachmann into the Glitter Hall of Fame and, until these politicians stop their anti-gay attacks on families like mine, people will continue to stand up for equality and the freedom to love whoever they want.”
REFERENCE:
[1] http://minnesotaindependent.com/45902/michele-bachmann-to-fundraise-for-controversial-ministry
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