News Release
For Immediate Release: July 11, 2014
Contact: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
Outrageous! Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper Apologizes for Supporting Religious Freedom
(Harrisburg) — Last week Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper supported religious organizations who contract with the federal government from being forced to hire homosexuals and transgenders. In light of the US Supreme Court decision upholding Hobby Lobby’s religious freedom, she has joined the many others who have now changed sides on the issue and wants her name removed from a letter sent last week
to President Obama. The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide religious freedom group, has emailed Ms. Dahlkemper expressing their disappointment in her decision.
“Looks like Kathy Dahlkemper put her finger up in the air to see which way the wind is blowing this week and had a change of heart thus reversing last week’s decision. It is always disappointing that an elected official backs away from doing what is right, even worse when that decision is based on the changing views of homosexual groups like Lambda Legal, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Lesbian Rights,” commented Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
Text of email sent to Dahlkemper:
We were extremely disappointed to read your letter dated July 10, 2014 asking that your name be removed from a letter to President Obama regarding the inclusion of religious exemptions in his anticipated executive order concerning federal contractors. Apparently, last week you were for upholding religious freedom, but as the winds have shifted so have your opinions on this important American issue.
You are also wrong in equating skin color to homosexual behavior — one is inherent and unchangeable while the other is quite the opposite. It is a disservice to those involved in the civil rights movement to equate the two. Thousands of ex-gays attest to the ability to change from “gay” to “straight.”
I hope you will reconsider your decision to have your name removed from the letter to the President. The inclusion of religious exemptions in his upcoming executive order are a vital part of our American heritage. Those in Erie County with deeply held religious beliefs that engaging in homosexual acts are sinful are not being represented by your actions.
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end email
“Our hope is Dahlkemper will return to her original stance and support religious freedom. Those with deeply held religious beliefs, especially in Erie County who she is supposed to represent, deserve better leadership,” concluded Gramley.
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