R.I. Democrats to Carcieri: Cancel talk at Mass. Family Institute
6:41 PM Tue, Sep 01, 2009 | Permalink
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By Steve Peoples
Party Chairman William Lynch said that the governor should "immediately withdraw his agreement to speak at the event and apologize to the thousands of gay and lesbian Rhode Islanders, and their families, who stand to be offended by his callous appeasement of this ultra-conservative organization," according to a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon. Carcieri, a Republican, has accepted an invitation to serve as the keynote speaker for the Family Institute's 18th Annual Fundraising Banquet, a $50-a-head event scheduled for the night of Oct. 15 in Newton, Mass. Carcieri was asked to share "his beliefs and values on traditional marriage," and would confine his remarks to that subject, according to the governor's spokeswoman Amy Kempe. When asked to comment on the group's position on homosexuality, Kempe responded: "I haven't asked him if he has considered all of their positions, so I don't feel comfortable answering without talking to him." Carcieri was not available Tuesday evening to clarify his position. A message left with Family Institute president Kris Mineau was not returned. The Family Institute Web site outlines its position on various issues ranging from abortion to pornography. On "human sexuality," its published position reads: "MFI does not consider homosexual behavior to be merely an alternate lifestyle or sexual 'preference'; it is an unhealthy practice and destructive to individuals, families and society. Our compassion for those plagued by same-sex attraction compels us to support the healing of those who wish to change their behavior." It continues: "MFI strongly opposes any efforts by political activists to normalize homosexual behavior and all attempts to equate homosexuality with benign characteristics such as skin color, or the 'gay rights' movement with the civil rights movement." The newly formed advocacy group Queer Action of Rhode Island sent a letter to the governor's office dated Aug. 29 asking him to cancel the appearance. On Monday, Kempe said the governor had no plans to back out. This afternoon, she said the same thing following the release of Lynch's statement. "At this point, the governor intends to honor his commitment and speak at the annual dinner," Kempe said. Lynch blasted the decision: "For the governor to support a group that believes gay and lesbian Rhode Islanders are not normal, hard-working, taxpayers proves that he is a sectarian extremist who, now in the waning days of his administration, seeks to fan the flames of intolerance in a desperate attempt to appear relevant again," he said. 
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I am disappointed to see the Governor attending this event and giving the keynote address. If you go to the website of Massachusetts Family Institute, you will find out that they are rabid homo haters. I'll bet Don and Sue will bring along a retinue of their right-wing, homo-hating nutcase friends to Newton. I am sorry I voted for Carcieri the last time he ran for governor.
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Gay sex is unhealthy ' Its is also unhealthy for society because it does not produce life.Its a culture of death.Most lefty gays deride straights as breaders and are very involved in the murder of the unborn. They are also selfish they want all the good things that come from a healthy and viable population but they don't add to it . Remember social security relies on a working generation to pay the benefits to the retired. REMEMBER LIBS THERE IS NO LOCKBOX with a smaller population paying in to s.s. there will be less to pay out at retirement .But im sure the gays will be more then happy to collect every cent they can.
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I'm proud of the Governor!
How dare the radical leftists try to bully people into accepting their radical lifestyles.
Americans can make up their own minds. Most believe in the work of MFI.
Why has the Democrat Party turned into a party of bigots and haters. Why?
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If "most believe in the work of MFI" and deride Democrats for being a party of "bigots and haters", then why do Democrats have control of both houses in Congresses, the majority of Governorships and control of most states' bicameral houses with the exception of the deep South and the Mountain West?
Johnny, you're either drinking gin all day or you've got an IV drip of Konservative-Kool Aid.
Gov. Carcieri is governor to ALL Rhode Islanders, including the gay ones and the MAJORITY of Rhode Islanders, GOP and Dem alike who know that the MFI is where you'll find the true "bigots and haters".
Get your head out of that Misquamicut sand and start breathing in some reality.
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To bljr...No, how dare you say the "radical leftists" are trying to bully anyone! What the governor is doing is a slap in the face to any GLBTQ Rhode Islanders. And you are mistaken that the Democratic party turned into bigots and haters..You have it backwards. The democratic party is trying to STOP hate and have equality for EVERYONE! What the MFI is doing is spreading hate and lies about a group of people. THAT Is called discimination, bigotry and HATE. It's people like that who make this country look bad
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I don't agree with you,I think This problem should be further analysis.
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I don't agree with you,I think This problem should be further analysis.
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Umm....isn't his choice to give a keynote address "Freedom of Speech?" I think this acceptance speaks more to character perception from those who have a strong opinion of homosexuality. I have no problem with either.
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