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01/14/2015
FRC's cynical, myopic framing of the American family and its current state
Next Monday, Tony Perkins, a man with one of the most anti-LGBT quotes banks in all of American politics (at least among those with mainstream access), will try to steal some of President Obama's State of the Union thunder when he issues his first-ever "State of the Family" address. But check out how Tony and FRC are framing the whole thing:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 14, 2015
CONTACT: J.P. Duffy or Alice Chao, (866) FRC-NEWS or (866)-372-6397
Family Research Council's Tony Perkins to Deliver 'State of the Family' Address
January 14, 2015
Four Families Targeted by the Government for their Faith to Attend
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Monday, January 19, at 7:00 p.m., Family Research Council President Tony Perkins will deliver an address on the "State of the Family." In a first-of-its-kind "State of the Family" report to the nation, the speech will highlight key issues of concern and policy solutions in the areas of the protection of human life, marriage, and religious liberty.
The speech will be given at FRC's headquarters one day before President Obama delivers his annual State of the Union address. In attendance will be families who have been wrongly harmed by the government's overreach, like Aaron and Melissa Klein, the Hahn family, Thomas and Victoria Miller, and the Bracy family.
"The state of our union depends on the state of the family," said FRC President Tony Perkins. "Monday evening will be an opportunity to focus leaders' attention on issues the new Congress should be addressing but may or may not want to discuss.
"It's time for the GOP to steer the nation back to the timeless truth that strong families make a stronger America," concluded Perkins.
WHO: Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council
Aaron and Melissa Klein, former owners of Sweet Cakes by Melissa
Barth and Abbie Bracy, Connecticut family forced to pay for abortion coverage
Anthony and Carolyn Hahn, CEO of Conestoga Wood Specialties
Thomas and Victoria Miller, owners of W.W. Bridal Boutique
WHAT: State of the Family Address
WHERE: FRC Headquarters
801 G Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET
Two of the featured families, the Kleins and the Millers, are notable names for the sole reason—the one and only reason—that they chose to deny service to lesbian customers precisely because they are lesbians. That's it. That is the reason why they are joining Tony Perkins at this little stunt.
Because that is the state of "pro-family" politics in 2015 America. It's not at all about giving voice to the good that people do in order to bind communities and lessen division so that all families, of all different stripes, can have a better chance at success. It's certainly not about proposals that encourage responsible community-building. They hardly even try to say what they are for anymore. Instead they dedicate their time to running cover for people who think nondiscrimination laws shouldn't apply to them, and pretending that those citizens who do nothing more than show up at public businesses and request that the business owners simply do the jobs they profess to do are somehow the "bullies" and "intolerants" in this scenario.
Unlike Mr. Perkins, I would never be so bold to speak for the overall "State of the Family" in America (though mine is doing amazingly well, thanks for asking). But I do know that the State of "Pro-Family" Politics is in shambles. This event is just one of daily signs that point to the deep and insurmountable dysfunction for which groups like FRC and figures like Tony have only themselves to blame.
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