LGBT Youth in New Jersey invited Kirk Cameron tomeet with them this week during his visit, but apparently Cameron is too busy. Even though the whole point of the meeting was so that Cameron could learn about the teens’ experiences, he responded (through spokesperson Mark Craig) by encouraging them to listen to more of his homophobic comments:
CRAIG: I want to share this thought with you, from someone who sees and works with Kirk almost everyday of the year – I promise you his goal is not one of trying to hurt people in any way, in fact it is just the opposite. He has a concern for their well being – not only now, but eternally. He goes out to share a positive message through events like this weekend and I assure you he will only be presenting a positive/ inspiring message.I would like to suggest if you really are interested in Kirk’s thoughts on the matter, you can listen online to the interviews and comments Kirk has shared where he was given ample time to communicate his heart and thoughts. I hope you can attend the event and see for yourself.
Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) intervened, condemning Craig’s letter as “compounding” the young people’s concerns, offering to meet with the Youth Caucus in Cameron’s place at their luncheon tomorrow.
Following Craig’s suggestion, here again is one of Cameron’s “positive/inspiring messages,” telling CNN’s Piers Morgan that homosexuality is “unnatural, detrimental, and ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization”:
The Garden State Equality’s Youth Caucus may not have come up empty in their effort to meet with Cameron. Members of The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, the religious organization that invited Cameron to New Jersey, have agreed to listen to their stories. It was that group that sued New Jersey for the right to discriminate against same-sex couples with their public-use boardwalk pavilion, but lost because their tax-exemption was tied to the a conservation and recreation state program, not their religious status. Their willingness to listen, along with Rep. Pallone’s support, will at least help the LGBT youth appreciate that their experiences matter.
