Evangelist Franklin Graham on Wednesday
attended a prayer rally in Atlanta, where he spoke out against
marriage equality and transgender rights.
Graham is the son of evangelist Billy
Graham and head of the Billy Graham Evangelist Association.
He spoke outside the state Capitol at a
rally in support of religious liberty attended by thousands of
people. Georgia lawmakers are considering at least eight proposals
that would to varying degrees shield people of any religion opposed
to same-sex marriage. Opponents of the bills say they would lead to
discrimination against gay men, lesbians and transgender people.
“We are here today because we see our
nation is in trouble,” Graham is quoted as saying by The
Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The “sins of our nation,” according
to Graham, include legalized abortion, the “great sin” of
marriage equality, pride, materialism, and not caring for the poor.
He also attacked efforts to allow
transgender people to use the bathroom that they identify with,
calling such efforts “wicked.”
“Men belong in men's bathrooms and
women belong in women's bathrooms,” Graham said. “And we don't
need men and predators going into women's bathrooms.”