Dave Agema, a former Michigan state
representative, sparked an uproar after he posted an article on
Facebook that calls gays “filthy.”
Agema, the state's Republican National
Committeeman, posted an article titled Everyone Should Know These
Statistics on Homosexuals on his Facebook
page.
In the article, writer Frank Joseph,
M.D. asserts that gay people are promiscuous, responsible for the
spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and that “many
homosexuals admit they are pedophiles.”
“[P]art of the homosexual agenda is
to get the public to affirm their filthy lifestyle,” the article
states.
Agema defended promoting the article,
saying that he was not its author, Michigan
Live reported.
“I think the piece was worth sharing
given the debate over gay marriage that is happening in the Supreme
Court,” he told Gongwer
News Service.
The outcry includes criticism from
Republicans.
“Our party remains in support of
traditional marriage but that should never be allowed nor confused
with any form of hate or discrimination toward anyone,” Michigan
Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak said in a statement. “Any
statement or message in contrast undermines our party's platform and
our common sense conservative message.”
While Agema has removed the post, he
said in an email that its assertions were “common sense.”
Dr. Joseph's “findings and others
confirm it's an unhealthy lifestyle,” Agema
wrote. “The gay activists portray themselves as innocent
victims; however, we who believe in traditional, time tested values
are being bullied. Because I disagree with their views, I have had
threats to me and my family – that's hate! This is not about hate
but a lifestyle that is against 230 years of American history and
filled with medical, psychological, legal and costs reasons to oppose
it. If you truly loved someone, you would want them to know their
lifestyle usually leads to early death. It’s about common sense.
It’s about maintaining the family and its importance to the well
being of the children and this nation.”
Agema has also started a petition
asking supporters to stand by him.
“Some liberal publications such as
Huffington Post, as well as some liberal Republicans who
backed Saul Anuzis for re-election have attacked me for posting
someone else's writings, and even asked for my resignation. What a
joke,” states
the petition, which has 304 signatures.