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VFF #23: Obama Sparks Firestorm with Gay Activist Appointments
October 6, 2009

Obama Blesses Gay “Families”: President Obama made clear last week that he considers homosexual relationships to be a normal part of family life when he included same-sex couples in a presidential proclamation in honor of “National Family Day”. (NC/LSN 9/29)

“Queering” the Schools …: Putting those words to action, Obama continues to defy standards of Biblical morality and public health with highly controversial appointments to key positions. For example, faith-based groups are reacting strongly to the appointment of Kevin Jennings as the Safe Schools “Czar” in the Department of Education. (WND/FRC 10/5)

• Jennings has a long history of advancing a radical homosexual agenda in the public schools. He is the founder of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network), the largest homosexual advocacy group in the nation formed to promote Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs in the schools. He wrote the foreword to a book entitled “Queering Elementary Education”; he acknowledges that he uses the “safety” card to achieve these goals; and he mocks Christian students and groups like Young Life for their beliefs.

… and the EEOC …: Obama has also nominated a radical gay activist to be on the Equal Employment and Opportunity Commission. Chai Feldblum boldly proclaims that “gay sex is morally good” and plans to “revolutionize America’s workplace and social mores”. She is also on record as saying that when religious liberty and sexual liberty come into conflict, sexual liberty should almost always win. (Weekly Standard 5/15/05; WND 10/5)

• If approved as commissioner, Feldblum will help oversee the implementation of ENDA (The Employment Non-Discrimination Act) which grants special protections to homosexuals in hiring and firing personnel practices of businesses and even non-profit groups -- including those who have religious convictions against all sexual activity outside of marriage.

… and the Courts …: A judge in Dallas, Texas, deliberately brushed aside the will of 75% of Texas voters who in 2005 approved an amendment to the Texas Constitution so that it now recognizes marriages only between one man and one woman. Instead, she claimed that the law violates the concept of equal protection and therefore, in her ruling, cleared the way for a same-sex couple to get a divorce. Her decision will be appealed. (DB/AC/FRC 10/2)

Senate Committee Rejects Pro-Life Amendments to Health Care Bill: The Senate Finance Committee has again rejected efforts to prohibit abortion funding in the health care bill, as well as any language that would protect health care professionals from having to participate in abortions. A final vote is scheduled for next week. (FRC 10/2)

• Giant ‘71’ for Life! A pro-life group is unrolling a huge 100-foot banner in front of the U.S. Capitol on Friday with the number “71” on it to remind members of Congress that 71% of Americans oppose any taxpayer funding of abortion. (CL 10/1)

Surge for Life in Polls: The Pew Research Center reports a seven-point drop in public support for abortion, the sharpest drop since polling began in 1995. Opinion is now almost evenly divided, with 47% favoring legalized abortion, and 45% opposing. Pollsters speculate that the drop is triggered in part by reaction to Obama’s aggressive pro-abortion policies. (NW/CL 10/2)

A Victory for Christ and the First Amendment: After telling Arizona school children that the ornaments they were making for the Capitol Christmas Tree could not have a religious or political theme, the U.S. Forest Service reversed its decision after a challenge from the Alliance Defense Fund. Students can now once again say: “Happy Birthday, Jesus!” (CL 10/2)

Let Our Pastors Preach! Since 1954, American clergy have preached under the shadow of an IRS law that restricted political speech from the pulpit. However, like the Black Regiment of the 18th century, 83 pastors from 30 states openly challenged that law on the second annual Pulpit Freedom Sunday, Sept. 27, with biblical sermons about the issues and the candidates in this year’s elections. That is twice the number of those who participated last year and does not take into account many other pastors who did so outside the official program, not just on this day but who do so on any other day that there is a need to do so. (CL 9/29; ADF 10/6)

Clarification -- It’s Richmond, TN: The “Richmond” referred to in our last Highlights in which the City Commission had stopped their usual practice of praying before official meetings after receiving a complaint from the ACLU is located in Tennessee, not Virginia.