Openly gay Texas veteran, LGBT rights groups speak out against Perry “Strong” Ad
http://www.americanindependent.com/207277/openly-gay-texas-veteran-lgbt-rights-groups-speak-out-against-perry-%E2%80%9Cstrong%E2%80%9D-ad
The now notorious and highly controversial political ad by Texas Governor and Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry ignited uproar among voters and caused fissures in the candidates own campaign staff. Seen as a last-minute pandering to the religious right as the Iowa caucus nears, Perrys ad is under fire for its shot at openly gay servicemembers and what some are calling a fictional War on Christianity. Titled Strong the highly unpopular political commercial has garnered a record number of viewer dislikes on YouTube and has spurred a trove of caustic, viral parodies.
You dont need to be in the pew every Sunday to know that theres something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military, but our kids cant openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school, says Perry in the TV ad.
Dave Guy-Gainer, an openly gay retired chief master sergeant of the Air Force, vocalized his disappointment with Perrys ad, saying it was not the first time the Texas governor has attacked gay veterans. After signing a state constitutional amendment in 2005 outlawing gay marriage, Perry was asked what he would tell gay Iraq War service members from Texas returning home and hoping to be wed. Perry replied that if they dont approve of the new law, they can simply find somewhere else to live.
Its absolutely offensive to me as a gay man, a veteran and a devout Christian, said Guy-Gainer, who served in the Air Force for 22 years, including two tours of Vietnam. And its offensive to any service member who is serving or has served, no matter what their sexual orientation.
Guy-Gainer, a member of Equality Texas foundation board of directors, also works on the legislative committee to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), an LGBT-based national nonprofit that successfully helped repeal Dont Ask, Dont Tell.
Rick Perry says you dont have to be in the pews every Sunday to know something is wrong in this country well, I am in the pews every Sunday, Guy-Gainer added. I consider myself very Christian and my religion teaches us to be tolerant and respectful of others.