Breitbart Big Government Editor in Chief Dana Loesch apparently has come out in support of Caiden Cowger, the 14-year old who claimed on his conservative radio show that “President Obama is making kids gay.” A video, made of a recent radio show Cowger hosted, went viral, and has been picked up by media outlets across the country. In it, Cowger virulently attacks homosexuality and proclaims his right to do so — in person, to his schoolmates, presumably — due to his religious liberty and beliefs.
READ: 14-Year Old Talk Show Host: ‘President Obama Is Making Kids Gay’ (Video)
Last night, Loesch wrote via Twitter:
Another conservative teen under attack for being … a conservative teen:@caidencowger. Remember when adults praised civic participation?
If by ‘civic participation’ Loesch means telling LGBTQ kids they are going to go to hell unless they repent, homosexuality is a “belief,” “When you’re trying to teach them the word of God, and they consider that bullying, yeah, I find that a big problem with not being lowed to convert other people to my religion,” and:
“And telling them, ‘it is wrong, homosexuality, the belief is condoned by God and you will go to hell if you continue to follow this belief unless you repent.’ It’s getting to the point where I can’t say that anymore.â€
then Loesch needs an education in American civics.
Cowger’s YouTube account was closed last night, according to YouTube, by the account holder. But his Facebook page today claims his account was hacked and adds there’s an new YouTube account, with the tagline, “Caiden Will Not Back Down!”
To be clear, there is a difference between civic participation and hate speech. And to be clear, people of all ages are welcome in our national conversation, but hate speech, even under the mistaken shroud of “religious liberty” is not only wrong — it is contributing to an environment that is killing teens — especially LGBTQ teens.
A groundbreaking study proved that teens who live in conservative environments are far more likely to attempt suicide than their peers who live in more liberal or progressive areas. That goes for all teens, regardless of sexual orientation.
It’s time parents, educators, political leaders, and religious leaders got more involved in monitoring young hate speech and worked with these misguided youth and teens to help them understand the consequences of their words. No one holds a 14-year old as responsible as, say a 34 year-old, but words matter — and audiences of 14-year olds are far more malleable.
How many times does an LGBTQ teen have to hear he or she is going to hell, is sick and perverted, before they succumb to those words — and to suicide?
Parents, take note.