Politician Calls Prop 8 Protestors Fascists as Prince Denounces Gay Marriage
Tuesday 18th November 2008
An American politician known for his ultra-conservative views has called Proposition 8 protestors “fascists” in a television interview with conservative mouthpiece Bill O’Reilly.
Newt Gingrich. Image from C. Berlet.
Newt Gingrich is a former Speaker of the House, the most powerful position in the US House of Representatives. He was a leader of the mid-90s conservative revolution that took control of US politics for a period.
Gingrich, who has a gay sister, is known for his anti-gay, ultra-conservative views. He appeared on fellow conservative Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News chat show to discuss political matters, including Proposition 8.
O’Reilly said that the protests against the passage had been “nasty stuff”. He pointed to a church in Michigan that was allegedly invaded by gay activists, and said that a woman had had a cross knocked out of her hand by protestors. He asked Gingrich his opinion.
Gingrich told O’Reilly: “I think there is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us, is prepared to use violence, to use harassment. I think it is prepared to use the government if it can get control of it. I think that it is a very dangerous threat to anybody who believes in traditional religion.”
Admittedly, some activists have gone too far following the passage of Proposition 8. Vandalism against Mormon temples, as well as a package of suspicious but inert powder that was mailed to the Mormon administration offices, were likely the result of protestors taking their anger with the church out inappropriately. However, fascism is a rather loaded term, and it contrasts completely with the protestors, who for the most part have been peaceful if angry. These are people who have been repeatedly denied basic rights, and to call them fascists for expressing their desire for equality is completely out of order.
Proposition 8 has resulted in some rater unexpected commentary from other well-known individuals as well. Musical artist Prince, known as much for his gender-bending performances as anything else, has come out to condemn gay marriage.
Prince, who became a Jehovah’s Witness several years ago, was asked his opinions on social issues, including gay marriage, by the New Yorker magazine. The artist allegedly pointed to a Bible and said: "God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, 'Enough.' "
Newt Gingrich. Image from C. Berlet.
Newt Gingrich is a former Speaker of the House, the most powerful position in the US House of Representatives. He was a leader of the mid-90s conservative revolution that took control of US politics for a period.
Gingrich, who has a gay sister, is known for his anti-gay, ultra-conservative views. He appeared on fellow conservative Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News chat show to discuss political matters, including Proposition 8.
O’Reilly said that the protests against the passage had been “nasty stuff”. He pointed to a church in Michigan that was allegedly invaded by gay activists, and said that a woman had had a cross knocked out of her hand by protestors. He asked Gingrich his opinion.
Gingrich told O’Reilly: “I think there is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us, is prepared to use violence, to use harassment. I think it is prepared to use the government if it can get control of it. I think that it is a very dangerous threat to anybody who believes in traditional religion.”
Admittedly, some activists have gone too far following the passage of Proposition 8. Vandalism against Mormon temples, as well as a package of suspicious but inert powder that was mailed to the Mormon administration offices, were likely the result of protestors taking their anger with the church out inappropriately. However, fascism is a rather loaded term, and it contrasts completely with the protestors, who for the most part have been peaceful if angry. These are people who have been repeatedly denied basic rights, and to call them fascists for expressing their desire for equality is completely out of order.
Proposition 8 has resulted in some rater unexpected commentary from other well-known individuals as well. Musical artist Prince, known as much for his gender-bending performances as anything else, has come out to condemn gay marriage.
Prince, who became a Jehovah’s Witness several years ago, was asked his opinions on social issues, including gay marriage, by the New Yorker magazine. The artist allegedly pointed to a Bible and said: "God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, 'Enough.' "
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