AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2003
CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
PRO-FAMILY GROUP ASKS -- HOW MUCH MORE 'GAY-FRIENDLY' CAN PHILADELPHIA BE?
Philadelphia) -- A statewide pro-family group finds it sadly ironic that the month of December started with World AIDS Day and Philadelphia beginning its three-year, $300,000 campaign to market itself as a 'gay-friendly' city. Now newly re-elected Mayor John Street has apparently jumped on the bandwagon and indicated that next month's mayoral inaugural celebration will also officially include a gala for area gays and transgendered. The mayor has just delivered another slap in the face to all in the City of Philadelphia who uphold traditional values.
"Mayor Street is continuing down the wrong path when it comes to the issue of homosexuality. Besides encouraging homosexual adoption, he obviously has no qualms having his city promoted as so-called 'gay-friendly.' Now his inauguration will include an official 'gay' gala. Philadelphia's already 'gay-friendliness' is costing it in lives and productivity lost to the AIDS epidemic" said Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA).
According to the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) December 2001 report, in Pennsylvania the cumulative number of AIDS cases was 26,369. Of those cases 20,369 were in Philadelphia. Their report released last month states that as of December 2002 there are now 28,136 AIDS cases in Pennsylvania. These reports consistently show that the highest exposure category is for men who have sex with men.
Other concerns of the CDC include the rapidly increasing cases of syphilis in men who have sex with men. In a November 20, 2003 United Press International article states, "Syphilis rates rose dramatically for the second straight year in the United States, particularly among gay and bisexual men . . . rising by about 27 percent overall."
The efforts of promoting a 'gay-friendly' Philadelphia include advertising in homosexual magazines and on the Internet. Community Marketing, Inc., a San Francisco homosexual travel research group, commissioned by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Group conducted a survey of 740 recent homosexual travelers to Philadelphia. Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed said they came for the city's fine arts attractions and history and culture attractions.
"Why is it necessary to promote Philadelphia as 'gay-friendly' when 68% of the homosexuals recently surveyed were not coming to Philadelphia for its homosexual events?" asked Gramley.
Continuing Gramley also pointed out the City of Philadelphia has been involved in many anti-family, anti-Boy Scout activities this past year and didn't need any further promotion as 'gay-friendly.' She particularly noted the following:
- Under pressure from Philadelphia homosexual activists, the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania removed funding from the Cradle of Liberty Scout Council.
- Again under pressure from homosexual activists the City is considering reneging on a 76-year-old resolution that permits the same Scout Council rent-free use of almost a half-acre of property in Center City. Their headquarters is now built on this piece of property.
- The Philadelphia Phillies held their first Community Gay Day in August.
- Philadelphia's Department of Human Services held two so-called "Love Makes a Family" events that promoted adoption by homosexuals.
Part of "Get your History Straight, and Your Nightlife Gay" campaign includes revising history and having pictures of Ben Franklin flying a rainbow kite and Betsy Ross making a rainbow flag.
"Promoting Philadelphia as 'gay-friendly' is outrageous enough, but to take well-known people in our nation's history and make them appear accepting of the immorality of the homosexual lifestyle is beyond belief," Gramley declared.
"There is no doubt that the majority of our Founding Fathers were Christians who took strong stands for morality and decency. If they were alive today, they may well be considering it was time for another Revolution to reclaim this nation," concluded Gramley.
Quotes from Founding Father Samuel Adams include: "Religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness." "A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of a common enemy."
Charles Carroll, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion whose morality is so sublime and pure . . . are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free government."
Benjamin Franklin, "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."
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