Ah, it all makes sense now. It’s not government deregulation that made the Wall Street fat cats go wild and send the financial markets down the toilet. No, the true culprit for all of our economic misery is—wait for it—gay people!
While the economy clearly is at the forefront of voter priorities, conservative Christians also draw a connection between traditional social issues like abortion and gay marriage and the economy, said Tony Perkins, president of the Washington-based Family Research Council.
“As there’s a breakdown in the family and the family weakens, it’s only logical it will hit Wall Street,” Perkins said. “A nation cannot be strong just because of a financial structure alone. It has to have strong families and values.”
Perhaps it’s just Perkins’ kneejerk reaction to blame all the world’s ills on those evil gay and lesbian people. It has to be, because I just can’t fathom anyone seriously blaming the gay community for single-handedly causing the financial crisis.
May I point out, Mr. Perkins, that many gay and lesbian families—yes, families that may or may not include two moms and two dads, but definitely includes a parent and children—are struggling just as much as your gold standard heterosexual families—yes, families that may or may not include a mom and a dad, but definitely includes a parent and children. It’s painful to have to point out to another human being that families are families. They come in all shapes and sizes and yes, all different sexual orientations.
Why would the mere existence of gay and lesbian families contribute to the breakdown on Wall Street? Unless all those families contain a CEO for a major investment firm, they don’t. They’re couples, sometimes singles, working hard at a job, paying their taxes and, if they live in the South, are probably desperately searching for a tank of gas to get to that job they desperately need right now.
You see, Mr. Perkins, gay and lesbian families are just as boring as your gold standard heterosexual families. They prosper, they suffer, they worry about their kid’s future, they work, they pay taxes, and they vote. They have strong families and values, thank you very much. They have contributed year after year to this economy and they are suffering just as badly as any heterosexual family.
If you want someone to blame, Mr. Perkins, look in the mirror. It’s sanctimonious people like you that cause too much unwarranted suffering on “the least of these.”
