FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Contact: Wayne Besen, Executive Director
Phone: 917-691-5118
Email: wbesen@truthwinsout.org
Truth Wins Out Dismayed with Democratic Party for Allowing Cardinal Timothy Dolan to Bless Convention
Progressive Faith Leader Should Have Been Invited Instead, Says TWO
BURLINGTON, Vt. – Truth Wins Out expressed its dismay today over the Democratic Party’s unwise selection of Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to deliver the closing prayer at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. In doing so, the Democrats failed to provide a platform for a progressive religious voice and instead elevated one of the nation’s most outspoken opponents of marriage equality.
“The Democrats have once again squandered an opportunity to raise the stature of a progressive religious voice, and have instead pandered to conservatives who will never support their party,” said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. “Rick Warren’s invocation at Obama’s inauguration did not win the President any friends, and rewarding Timothy Dolan with this prestigious platform is unlikely to win Obama many votes.”
“Inviting Timothy Dolan to pray at the Democratic convention is out of step with the inclusive, pro-LGBT family values held by President Obama and the Democratic Party,” said TWO Communications Director John Becker. “There are hundreds of inclusive faith leaders across America whose views are more closely aligned with those of the Democratic Party; one of them should have been chosen for this high-profile honor instead.”
The New York archbishop will bless a party that is preparing to become the first political party in America to endorse marriage equality. Today’s announcement comes less than one week after Dolan revealed that he would offer the final benediction at the Republican National Convention, drawing sharp criticism from Truth Wins Out and other groups uncomfortable with an alliance between Catholic leaders committed to stopping marriage equality and a Republican party that has just passed the most anti-gay party platform in modern history.
“We can’t keep bowing down to archconservative religious leaders and then wonder why Americans falsely equate Christianity with conservative political views,” added Besen. “It makes no sense that we continue giving short shrift to our allies in the faith community while offering our imprimatur to our political opponents.”
Truth Wins Out (TWO) is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to create a world where LGBT individuals can live openly, honestly and true to themselves. TWO monitors anti-LGBT organizations, documents their lies and exposes their leaders. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.
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