‘Your Lies Are Causing Violence’: Activists Directly Confront Tony Perkins at Trump Evangelical Meeting

GetEQUAL Leaders Tells Hate Group Head He’s Responsible for Anti-LGBTQ Violence, Demand a Response

At the end of Donald Trump’s seven-hour meeting with hundreds of the nation’s top evangelical Christians, organizers held a press conference, which was interrupted by LGBTQ activists. GetEQUAL Co-Director Heather Cronk confronted Tony Perkins directly, demanding the Family Research Council president answer for the damaging hate and lies his organization has been spreading about the LGBTQ community for decades.

“Your lies are causing violence against the LGBT community,” Cronk charged inside the room filled with journalists and evangelical leaders. “Your hatred is causing violence. We need for you to take responsibility,” Cronk demanded.

She immediately was asked to leave, and responded, “I’m happy to leave, but I’m looking for answers,” she warned Perkins.

Cronk left, but GetEQUAL Co-Director Angela Peoples was waiting for Perkins at the building’s exit. Peoples also directly confronted Perkins, demanding he answer for the lies and hate he and his anti-gay hate group cause. 

“You are responsible for hate and lies, a culture that has fueled violence against our community,” Peoples told Perkins as he tried for a quick exit. “What do you have to say for yourself Tony Perkins?,” Peoples demanded to know. 

“Your organization has created a culture of violence, those lies that you tell – anti-LGBT hate speech. What do you have to say for yourself, sir?,” Peoples hounded, unwilling to let Perkins walk out without being told how damaging his work is to millions of people.

“You are responsible for all of this violence,” she charged, telling him he created the environment that led to the violence in Orlando. 

“You, you are responsible, you and your organization for decades. What do you have to say for yourself, sir? Say something!,” Peoples demanded.

Perkins all but refused to respond, although it was clear he wanted to. He began to say something, but someone walking with him interrupted.

As Peoples was still accusing him of lying about the LGBT community, and telling him he his lies have led to violence, murder, and suicide, Perkins mouthed something but it was inaudible.

“We don’t want your prayers, Tony Perkins,” she continued. “We want you to stop being homophobic, we want you to stop the hate speech.”

Watch:

Afterward, Cronk, who has been with GetEQUAL since its founding in 2010, told NCRM by telephone that there was “no way” she could sit in the room with Perkins and not confront him on his “hate speech,” and the “hate culture” he has helped create. 

This article has been updated to note Angela Peoples correct last name.

 

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TODAY: Donald Trump Meets With 400 Top Anti-LGBT Christian Conservatives

 

Videos by Mark Winston Griffith, Brooklyn Deep
Image: Screenshots via video posted by GetEQUAL/Twitter