Christian conservative Gordon
Klingenschmitt, a vocal opponent of gay rights, is running for the
Colorado House.
In a nearly 9-minute video introducing
himself to the voters, Klingenschmitt, also known as “Dr. Chaps,”
outlines his qualifications to represent the people of House District
15. (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
Klingenschmitt made national headlines
when he challenged the military's rule on inclusive prayers during
events which include a multi-faith audience such as ship
commissionings and change-of-command ceremonies. A born-again
Christian, Klingenschmitt demanded the right to pray “in the name
of Jesus” in public settings. He was honorably discharged for
insubordination.
He
has openly advocated for discrimination against gays, suggesting
that Martin Luther King asserted in his famous “judged [not] by the
color of their skin but by the content of their character” line
that gays have a lesser or immoral character. Klingenschmitt also
claims that marriage equality supporters are forcing
Christians to participate in sodomy.
While Klingenschmitt's views on gay
rights are notably absent from his campaign
website and video, he does link his website to his The
Pray in Jesus Name Project, where he asserts that “Obamacare
pays $10K if you divorce your wife” and reveals Congresswoman Nancy
Pelosi's “legislative agenda to homosexualize America.”
(Related: Gay
marriage foe Gordon Klingenschmitt admits equality has no effect on
his marriage.)