Don't fool me | 12:54 a.m. April 1, 2008
Wait for the follow up story on the 9th where we are told 500 people show up at the Gay Pride meeting. Then watch these same reporters try to spin it in a manner adjunct to the gay agenda. No one knew about this meeting expect these 'media representatives'.

I fully believe these individuals that held this meetings are slightly off center and I would never attend such a meeting myself. But for the media to try to push such stories on the populous because they feel it is their 'duty' is just wrong. Report the news, don't try to make it.

What was that story about ABC News 'framing' a story on high rates of depression in Utah? A similar situation couldn't be happening here could it?
GK | 1:30 a.m. April 1, 2008
Be careful Utah that certain individuals, groups and media outlets will use any public situation, if allowed to go untackled, to promote, push and force Government laws in the favour of homosexuals and their practices. Do not be brain washed or misled by anyone claiming homosexuality to be okay. It should be avoided like paedophillia.
Lighten Up | 1:44 a.m. April 1, 2008
Gunter should have hit on the many other dangers out there. There are the communists that are hiding around every corner and the crazed caffiene addicts.

Worry over gay people does not keep me up at night.

What scares me?

The high percentage of Utahns hopped up on drugs that are out driving on the roads threatening the safety of my family and anyone who tries to to cross the street.

Parents that can't stay happily married. Intolerant, judgemental parents turning up the pressure on young people who have enough to deal with.
Comments continue below
gayabroad | 3:28 a.m. April 1, 2008
Only in Utah and especially Utah county. Its stories like this, full of ignorance and intolerance, that make me ashamed to call myself a Utahn.

And if you read both the D-news and the Trib look at the difference in reporting styles. Although I understand the News is owned by the church they could be a little more objective in how they covered the story.
Prosecutor | 3:33 a.m. April 1, 2008
Ms. Yana has a point -- public discussion should not degenerate into diseases spread by homosexual activity. Even if all diseases associated with the "gay" lifestyle were eliminated, homosexuality would not be converted into virtue.

There is no reason for us to shrink from the truth. Pornography and homosexual acts are wrong for individuals, degrading for societies, and extremely harmful to their victims. We can and should spread this word to our children. We must politely, but firmly disagree with those peddling these perversions as worthy alternates to normalcy and decency.

Among the truths our children need to know are perversion's epidemiological effects, but, medical fact is no substitute for moral truth.
Lee | 5:16 a.m. April 1, 2008
I agree with "Don't Foll Me"! Thank God for Fox News!
don't be fooled | 5:35 a.m. April 1, 2008
There are forces in society (Gay Pride, MTV, prime time network programing to name just a few) that relentlessly and aggressively push acceptance of homosexuality on children. Their efforts are very successful with an age group that seeks peer acceptance and often is looking for ways to show rebellion and independence from parental and societal standards.

Public school officials are generally cowed and intimidated by these forces.

Parents are losing the battle for their own children.

I know nothing of this group but this issue is alive and real.
Gary | 5:44 a.m. April 1, 2008
Just another example of hate mongering, veiled in "protecting the public and children". It is very interesting that the video and information that this presentation used were admittedly out of date. I think it's also very interesting that in this same issue is a VERY RECENT story of a crackdown on child pornography in Utah. It reports that heterosexual men and women are guilty of trading child porn. It is a very old and tired argument that gay men and women "recruit" children. Nothing is further from the truth. How scandolous that the alleged "gay agenda" is promoting acceptance!!! Stephen Graham ought to hold meetings on the dangers of spreading misinformation that spawns fear generated violence on innocent and unsuspecting persons. I wonder how many true sexual deviants (HETEROsexual pedophiles and sexual assaulters) were in attendance at this gathering under the guise of "good Christian" people.
No Fooling | 6:13 a.m. April 1, 2008
I agree that next week's meeting with have many more people in attendance. I think that last night's meeting was more for show and to make the organizers feel as if they were doing something, anything to combat some of what they feel are society's ills. It's almost guaranteed that the LDS General Authorities will address pornography and homosexuality during General Conference this weekend, which for most of Utah County's residents will carry a lot more weight than what was presented last night.
russ | 6:32 a.m. April 1, 2008
well, 20 people fell for the act. In a way I guess that is good. Could have been a lynching party afterwards but ... and less would have shown that no one can read (the newspaper, etc.).

20? Not bad. Did anyone ask about how many children are born that are gay? Did anyone ask? Did anyone ask if God made those children?

Oh so many questions, and so little time.
SJ Bobkins | 6:49 a.m. April 1, 2008
Who could disagree with a group using "Families" or "Liberty" in their name?
Must be a carefully, patiently, and cunningly, organized plan to make homosexuals the "them" in we vs them.
Why is it that we have such a fear of the unknown? That heterosexuals have such a deadly fear that if they don't make enemies out of gay individuals they will be robbed of their Christian credentials or their own kids will fall to that horrible perversion.
They never stopped to think that with all the hate and venom their kind thrusts upon a person, who has known themselves to be gay from birth, that that person would do everything they could to fit in and be like everyone else, considered "normal", But they can't and don't because they have no more control over their sexual orientation that I have over being left-handed or my eyes being blue. Being hateful and pretending homosexuals don't exist won't change the numbers. Neither will doing all you can to make their lives miserable. Try and put yourself in the place of a parent with student who is gay. If you can't do so, you may really be a Caveman.
one more time... | 7:36 a.m. April 1, 2008
... but please pay attention this time.

Gay from birth? creepy but also ludicrous. If there were a biological condition called "homosexuality" it would leave its victims unable to reproduce. It would be an evolutionary dead end; a genetic DEFECT (Mother Nature values reproduction very highly)
Actually "homosexuals" change their behavior all the time; marry, have children, have homosexual sex; if it is a genetic trait it must be the "chameleon" orientation.
Homosexuality is a behavior. Like all behavior it is learnable and controllable. Like all behaviors, people will have varying degrees of difficulty controlling it.
It is certainly convenient to say "God made me this way" and deny any responsibility for ones actions; denial of responsibility is one of the alpha sicknesses in our society. But saying it over and over and over won't make it true.

Please quit pushing homosexuality on children in public schools. It is bad for the children and bad for society.
?? | 7:41 a.m. April 1, 2008
The notion that God made homosexuals, therefore God is OK with homosexuality is nonsense. I believe that some people are born with homosexual tendencies. In fact, all of us are born with some weakness of the flesh to one degree or another.
HOWEVER, we each have to resist and overcome our weaknesses. If the measure is "whatever I'm born with is what God intended for me to have, so it's OK to indulge in whatever urge I may have", then each of you can see what kind of urges people may choose to follow that are NOT OK. If we all just follow whatever impulse that we may have, we are indeed animals of the worst kind.
Alex B | 7:42 a.m. April 1, 2008
silly people, sexuality is a choice and is pavlovian.
Kevin | 7:53 a.m. April 1, 2008
Wow. When I consider how the DMN censors some of my blogs, and then read some of these comments, I'm shocked.

Anyway, for the record, I am a 40 year old homosexual man, and I have never had a known, detectable sexually transmitted disease in my entire life. And believe me, I get tested.

If you want to end the spread of disease, help encourage a standard of monogamy in the gay male population. Help bring about marriage equality.

I single out the gay male population, because in case no one has noticed, lesbians rarely contract any STDs. It's a function of the mechanics of sex, not morality.
Good Grief | 8:06 a.m. April 1, 2008
Once again the small minded people in Utah County show that they have their heads buried in the sand. Have any of you ever met and actually spoke to gay people about their lives? Do you really think that millions of people choose to have these feelings and want to live tormented lives? Yes acting on the feelings of homosexuality is a sin, though being born with those feelings is not a sin. Perhaps some compassion and understanding on your part is in order. You should focus on the crystal meth problem that is killing your children, not that there might be a gay person living in your county.
?? I agree | 8:03 a.m. April 1, 2008
Great comments, and Good going John. It's nice to see the silent majority with representation!
Matthew | 8:10 a.m. April 1, 2008

Read carefully people: Having the opinion that a certain behavior is wrong, immoral, or unhealthy has nothing to do with hate. Nor does advocating against that same behavior.

Try and apply it to a different issue. I think it is unhealthy and wrong to not wash one's hands after using the toilet. Does that mean I'm a hate monger? Of course not.
Anonymous | 8:19 a.m. April 1, 2008
It sickens me to see all of the hate coming from people that say they are Christians. To me a good Christian is understanding and will see the good in others, and mind their own business. That is the problem with most people they try to force their beliefs on to others because they just know they are right and others are wrong.
Keep your nose out and take care of your own and let me worry about mine!
Maybe we should burn some books while we are at it.
I am tired of all the closed minds in HAPPY VALLEY!!!
Paul Gibbs | 8:15 a.m. April 1, 2008
Where did I hear this speech before?

Oh,yeah. Ralph Fiennes gave it in "Schindler's List". When you cross the line into this kind of hatred, you profane all that is Holy by claiming you are doing God's will.
Phantom Panther | 8:23 a.m. April 1, 2008
According to the Bible, the practice of homosexuality is an abomination before God. In Romans, St. Paul strongly condemns the practice and those who encourage the practice. The "anything goes" when it comes to sex crowd will one day answer to God. Nihilism and rebellion against Christian principles has been going on for several hundred years now. Society will crumble as the family disintegrates. "Tolerance" and "acceptance" will not make right wrong and wrong right. In addition, those who seem to be the most intolerant and angry over this issue are those pushing the "gay agenda." They are often furious the "religious right" can't see the "truth."
Grandmother | 8:16 a.m. April 1, 2008
What is God's opinion? Read your Bible. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
KM | 8:28 a.m. April 1, 2008
I thought I smelled bigotry and hatred on family night!
Anonymous | 8:26 a.m. April 1, 2008
Just what is the "gay agenda"? So many on this message board (not a blog) seem to know everything about the gay agenda but my gay brother doesnt know anything about it. Are those mean gays keeping my brother out of the loop?
Graham is right, as the bigoted, hateful older generation dies off, gays will become accepted. Just like those who wouldnt let blacks and whites marry have died off, as mankind moves forward, someday gay marriage will become no big thing. I for one hope that it happens sooner rather than later.
So Sad | 8:30 a.m. April 1, 2008
No matter how things are presented.
No matter who presents them.
There are always those who will throw a temper-tantrum as to the supposed "Hate or Fear" that is being spread/taught.
People know what is right & what is wrong.
To "Scare" people into doing what is "Right" is just as wrong as telling them there is no consequence for their choices.

AIMHO
Ernest T. Bass | 8:37 a.m. April 1, 2008
What exactly is 'The Gay Agenda'?
Having the same rights as everyone else?
Instereo | 8:31 a.m. April 1, 2008
Hate and Fear and then justifying it in the name of God. As if anyone writing in this forum knows the mind of God or what his creations are. All of this sounds like how Blacks were treated in the South (and in some places in the North) and how it was justified in God's eyes. The Genetic arguement sounds like how the Jews were portrayed by Hitler.

Just from my reading of the scriptures, I think Christ would urge love a lot more then he would the hate and fear that has been shown on this topic.
John L. | 8:38 a.m. April 1, 2008
"Over 20 people attended the meeting." Wow! What is the population of the ever-conservative Utah County? Sounds like the organizers of the meeting got the attendance they deserved. They can't claim that nobody knew about the meeting. They got free advertising in yesterday's DMN. I was going to note that keynote speaker, Mr. Graham has probably never met a gay person. However, I bet he has met plenty and doesn't even know it. There is no gay agenda. Unless simply wanting to be accepted is an agenda. As to the radical gays, how about the radical skinheads or the radical Black Panthers? Radicals never represent anybody except other radicals.
Your Right | 8:37 a.m. April 1, 2008
This is Rosa Parks and Dr. King all over again. The new black agenda is the Gay Agenda, it is going to destroy our children. Pretty soon, our daughters are going to be marring colored boys and society will think that it's all right because they were indoctrinated with acceptance and tolerance!!

We need to put a stop to this!
RE: One more time??? | 8:38 a.m. April 1, 2008
Wow, the good old science argument.

In fact scientists have recently shown that a population of NON reproducing people mixed in with the straight population is very effective in times of war, and need, when people and parents are dying in order to replace those parents and make up for lost productivity.

Think about it - you are a Mongol, your son is a warrior and your youngest son is gay. Both you and your son die - who is to protect your children and wives? Oh wait, now you're happy to have had a gay child. It's the same in dogs, cats and other animals. While being gay is probably not 100% genetic its benefits and how it strengthens a community have been shown by science.

Life isn't as simple as you think it is.

Also, I'm straight and despite many efforts at gay seduction, have never given in - proving the "recruitment" is baloney. People who are "recruited" were homosexual all along and it's good they are out so they don't become forced to start regular families that will sooner or later fall apart. No one can live a lie, you should learn that one More time.
James | 8:44 a.m. April 1, 2008
97% of the world's population practices heterosexuality, with total population well over 6.2 billion. I don't think any perceived homosexual agenda is going to destroy the world. Our prisons are overflowing with straight men raised in Christian homes with both a father and mother. The world would be a better place if we all just treated each other with respect and dignity. My neighbor choosing to live a gay lifestyle has nothing to do with my personal spirituality.
Dear "One more time..." | 8:45 a.m. April 1, 2008
Obviously you aren't gay...have you ever asked a gay man if he "made himself gay?" I have yet to meet a single gay person who "made" himself gay. Same gender attraction isn't a choice...what you do even though you have that attraction is a choice, however.
Skeptic | 8:52 a.m. April 1, 2008
If we find a gene that codes for pedophilia does that mean we have to tolerate and accept it? What about people who get an insane adrenaline rush from killing? They all make the same argument: that they were born that way. Put my name on the list in favor of self-control at all costs.
Kevin | 8:57 a.m. April 1, 2008
Matthew: If I compared your intimate relationships to unwashed hands after using a toilet, how would you feel?
sadly | 8:58 a.m. April 1, 2008
The suicidal behavior is a direct function of the intolerance.
My voice | 9:04 a.m. April 1, 2008
Same gender attraction and it's affects future generations is worth consideration. The impact is far reaching as it relates "A Traditional Family" or "Traditional Family Values."
Children witness behavior every day in public Schools which is contrary to what they have been taught. Concerned parents, speak with your children and let them know the real consequences that follow this behavior. It is not difficult for our children to see it if you talk to them. Talk to them.
James | 9:00 a.m. April 1, 2008
Please, please, please don't quote the Bible as justification for persecuting gays. Jesus never said anything about gays. In fact, the only group Jesus got really mad at was hypocrites. Don't worry about my salvation...worry about yours.
Town Heathan | 9:01 a.m. April 1, 2008
Homophobia is another example of Christian Hate. All wrapped up in the hyprocacy that hating in the name of God makes it right. Your church leaders preach to you that it is OK to attack anyone who doesn't believe as you do. Weither that is social, religious, gender....it's all the same...

News Flash....hate is hate.

Bert | 9:01 a.m. April 1, 2008
Wow, listen to all the hate.

It kind of makes you wonder why wome of us don't accept that hate-the-sin-not-the-sinner rhetoric.

Next time some of you feel that you are the target of those anti's or feel some persecution because of your beliefs, think about the attitude found in this article and the responses to it.

When your leaders talk about the great divide that exists in this community think about how you may be contributing to it.
Horse, barn door | 9:02 a.m. April 1, 2008
I love how Utah is supposedly full of parents concerned about the negative influences of Publik Skools on their children, but then the majority of these same concerned parents votes down even the most modest attempts to reform those supposedly evil Publik Skools.

If Utahns don't think the school system supports their values, why do they continue to support pouring ever-increasing amounts of money down the rat hole of public education?
Town Heathan | 9:08 a.m. April 1, 2008
To: Phantom Panther

This is the same God in your book that allowed his Prophets to have concubines....

If it works for you...it's OK. If it doesn't work for you....it's an ABOMINATION!!!

Funny how they look the same in the mirror...
Utah Resident | 9:15 a.m. April 1, 2008
I say let the far-right loons shout it loud and hard. People around the nation expect this--it IS Utah Valley, after all (and there's nothing "Happy" about it--believe me--I've been there.)
Sneaky Jimmy | 9:16 a.m. April 1, 2008
Is it that hard to worship a God that loves all his children?
Dave | 9:33 a.m. April 1, 2008
This is all an April Fools joke - RIGHT!
Informed | 9:27 a.m. April 1, 2008
You can bet that Graham and his supporters are much more informed than you think they are and know plenty of "gay" people. His foundation is not against homosexual people, but against the silencing of those who feel it can be changed if individuals want that. The media pushes acceptance of homosexuality enough to create every "tolerant" child you could possibly desire. We do not need schools and the government to get in on the action too. Graham's foundation is not trying to stop the Pride meetings or any other gay acceptance meeting, which we all have admitted will have much more attendance. Is there any reason why they should be so afraid of such a small number of parents getting together to become informed and protect their children against something that is against their religion? Why should parents lose their rights to teach what they believe? Since when is religious belief less important than belief in sexual orientation? This foundation is not trying to hinder the rights of those living the gay lifestyle, but inform children about the very real and dangerous other side of this lifestyle.
more sadly yet | 9:28 a.m. April 1, 2008
Love me or I will kill myself.
What's it going to be?
It's all in YOUR hands.

I'm waiting.
if you disagree with me | 9:35 a.m. April 1, 2008
then you must hate me, and if I am the victim of hate then I must be right. Isn't that how it works?
Jason | 9:36 a.m. April 1, 2008
It is refreshing that there are still people with backbones, who will stand up for what is right and has always been right, without worrying about what babylon thinks.
Professa | 9:35 a.m. April 1, 2008
According to "L." at McSweeney's, this is the secret gay agenda:

7:45 a.m. Alarm rings
8:00 a.m.-8:10 a.m. Take shower
8:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Dress and put items into briefcase
8:35 a.m. Leave house
8:45 a.m. Starbucks
9:00 a.m. Arrive at job
12:00 p.m. Lunch with a co-worker. Perhaps Chili's?
12:45 p.m. Return to job
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Meeting
5:00 p.m. Leave work
5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Work out in gym
7:00 p.m. Return home
7:20 p.m. Prepare and eat dinner
8:00 p.m. Watch Law & Order on TNT
11:00 p.m. Go to sleep

Dangerous indeed.
Scary | 9:35 a.m. April 1, 2008
I am straight. But like all of you (even if you aren�t aware of it), I have had many friends and acquaintances, who I later learned were gay. I can honestly say that no one has ever tried to �push their homosexual agenda� on me or �convert� me. I was never privy to intimate details of personal relationships, nor would I expect to be. My conclusion? My children are in danger from pedophiles, not homosexuals. Graham�s statements are made out of fear. What I find really frightening is the �Them Versus Us� mentality that is so pervasive in our country. It feeds racism, sexism, violence, hate and bigotry. Our country was not founded on divisiveness.

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John Gunter, representing Citizens for Families, talks about the dangers of pornography during his presentation in American Fork.

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