Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

This made me laugh. And cry.  Our favorite Pennsylvania-flavored fundie, Diane Gramley of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania, has issued a call for all good Christian families to boycott the City of Brotherly Love for being too gay friendly.

It seems that Philly has ratcheted up the drive to attract gay tourist dollars by unveiling several dozen rainbow street signs in the gayborhoods that cater to the LGBTQ community. 

Gramley is outraged! 

According to Gramley, the city was prompted by the Philadelphia Gay Tourism Caucus to approve the street signs. “What the city of Philadelphia is doing is looking for the homosexual [tourism] dollars,” she says. “They need to know that if they are going to be accommodating homosexuals, then they're going to lose the traditional family dollars.”

The city of Philadelphia is not family friendly, says Gramley — and families should not choose Philadelphia as a vacation spot, she adds. The AFA of Pennsylvania leader believes a loss in tourism dollars is the only way the city is going to get the message.

“Let's face it,” she says; “the majority of people in America hold traditional values, or they at least believe that homosexual acts are not right — and we need to just send that message to Philadelphia.”

Gramley says the country's Founding Fathers would be appalled that Philadelphia is now being touted as a “mecca” for homosexual tourists.

Let's face it.  Gramley is another hate-spewing pseudo-Christian bigot with the temerity to think she can successfully boycott an entire city.  At least she had the smarts to do it before football season gets underway.  Good Christian men may object to Justin Timberlake exposing Janet Jackson's breast during a football game, but what's a few prancing queens compared to the Eagles?

You know what really pisses me off about Gramley's sanctimonious “family values” boycott?  She's right — Philadelphia is not a family friend place, but it has nothing to do with homosexuality.  This year, the city has seen more than one homicide per day.  The poverty rate in Philadelphia is the highest of any major US city.  The city is overwhelmed by guns.  The police force has been reduced.   The number of people who are homeless has risen. 

These things impact real people's lives — 1.5 million people.  Real families with two parents, single parents, grandparents, etc.  These are REAL issues about which a family association should be concerned.  Taking action to address any of the above would be a wonderful way to honor the Gospel and the call to social justice.  But this isn't about Jesus or social justice or honoring anything.  It is about hate, intolerance and a rejection of the essence of Christian love.

Diane Gramley and the AFA of FA:  putting the FU in family values.

h/t Pam's House Blend make the jump if you want to read some really atrocious comments from the wingnuts …