Rubio to speak at Florida anti-LGBT conference

by Rob Howard
Associate Editor

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) is no friend of the LGBT community, but in his re-election campaign is doubling down by being a featured speaker at the Rediscovering God in America Renewal Project event in Orlando, Florida this Thursday. The event is sponsored in part by Liberty Counsel, an anti-LGBT organization that has been very active in the fight against marriage equality.

"’After shamelessly using the Pulse tragedy as an excuse to break his word on not running for reelection, Marco Rubio is choosing to commemorate the two-month anniversary of the shooting by joining an anti-LGBT rally in Orlando,’” Florida Democratic Chair Alison Tant said in a statement, the Orlando Sentinel reported. "’While Rubio’s long record of opposing LGBT rights is well established, returning to Orlando to lend his voice to these radical groups is an inexcusable insult.’"

LGBT advocates are planning a protest against Rubio’s speech, according to Orlando Weekly. “Rubio is speaking at the ‘Rediscovering God in America Renewal Project’ conference at the Hyatt Regency Orlando on International Drive, which goes from Aug. 11 to Aug. 12. The protest in front of the event has been organized by Equality Florida, according to a Facebook event. On Monday, Equality Florida reported the event had been moved to the Orange County Convention Center. 

“The conference includes appearances by several people who hold anti-gay views, including Liberty Counsel's Mat Staver, whose group is best known for representing a Kentucky clerk who refused to marry same-sex couples, and David Lane, who’s listed as an extremist anti-LGBT organizer in the evangelical community according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.”

The Sentinelreported Rubio’s response, writing, “In a statement, Rubio said, ‘The event I will be speaking at in Orlando is a gathering of local pastors and faith leaders. Leave it to the media and liberal activists to label a gathering of faith leaders as an anti-LGBT event.

"’Because I believe that a strong America is not possible without strong families and strong values, for years now I have participated in events hosted by faith leaders to speak about the cultural and social issues before America, including the importance of parents and families, religious liberties and combating poverty,’ Rubio said.”

“The debate on same-sex marriage, he said, ‘should be conducted in a way that is respectful of the views and the dignity of those on both sides. That is the way I have expressed myself each time I have been asked to opine on this issue. And that is how I intend to continue to do so.’"

Liberty Counsel, one of the sponsors, is classified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist hate group. Rubio has a long record of opposition to marriage equality and LGBT rights in general.

The Gayly – August 9, 2016 @ 3:15 p.m.