The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has issued a press release, "Vice Presidential Keynote Address to NRA Raises Concerns Among LGBT and Anti-Violence Organizations," condemning VP Dick Cheney's planned speech before the National Rife Association. GLAAD makes the point that Cheney is defending constitutional rights for gun owners but not for gays. That's a fair point, if somewhat off target for an anti-defamation group. But GLAAD then quotes extensively (and solely) from other gay and left-liberal groups that vehemently oppose gun ownership. Take a gander (remember, this is within GLAAD's press release):
- Gay Men of African Descent - "The NRA...perpetuates a culture of violence that in no small way affects vulnerable communities (i.e. communities of color and the LGBT community)."
- Mano A Mano - "The NRA...refuse to recognize that advocating the removal of a ban on assault weapons in this country does enormous damage to vulnerable populations, particularly in urban environments where many Latinos live and work."
- Al Fatiha - "Since the Sept. 11 attacks on America, there has been a 300% increase in violence against Muslims in the United States..."
- The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs - "'Firearms are America's true 'weapons of mass destruction.' "
The clear message: GLAAD is incontrovertibly positioning itself
as part of the anti-gun coalition. So much for supporting
"diversity" in representations of the gay community! One wonders,
have these people ever heard of the Pink Pistols, a
network of gay gun owners, or the many, many other gays and
lesbians who support the right to bear arms (some of whom, when
attacked by bashers, saved their lives because they were
carrying)?