Evangelist Franklin Graham has
criticized a plan to create the first monument to the struggle for
LGBT equality.
President Barack Obama could as early
as next month declare the Stonewall Inn in New York City and part of
the surrounding Greenwich Village neighborhood as the birthplace of
America's modern gay rights movement.
In 1969, a riot broke out after police
raided the Stonewall Inn, which was frequented by gay men and drag
queens. Lasting six days, the Stonewall riots ignited a national
movement for equal rights.
Graham, the son of evangelist Billy
Graham and head of the Billy Graham Evangelist Association,
criticized the move in a Facebook post.
“A monument to sin? That’s
unbelievable,” Graham wrote. “War heroes deserve a monument, our
nation’s founding fathers deserve a monument, people who have
helped to make America strong deserve a monument – but a monument
to sin? The Washington Post reports that President Obama is
poised to declare the first-ever national monument in New York
recognizing 'the struggle for gay rights.' It’s no surprise that
the three officials who represent the area and support the monument
are all openly gay. I can’t believe how far our country has
digressed. I hope that the president will reconsider. Flaunting sin
is a dangerous move. God’s Word tells us, 'Righteousness exalts a
nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.'”