Will Phillips' role in Arkansas Gay Pride called 'child abuse'
Sun. June 27, 2010 8:16 AM by OnTopMag.com
Fayetteville, Arkansas -
The decision to have eleven-year-old Will Phillips serve as grand marshal of the Fayetteville, Arkansas gay pride parade has been labeled "child abuse" by social conservatives.
Phillips attracted the attention of the national media last year when he refused to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance at school, saying gay people don't enjoy "liberty and justice."
"I looked at the end [of the Pledge of Allegiance], and it said 'liberty and justice for all,' and there really isn't liberty and justice for all. Gays and lesbians can't marry," he told CNN in an interview.
Social conservatives have railed against the unanimous decision to honor the boy.
Bryan Fischer, director of analysis at the American Family Association, said Phillips was being exploited by adults for "dark political purposes."
"There is nothing about homosexual conduct to be proud of and much to be ashamed of," he told Fox News.
AFA President Tim Wildmon called Phillips' inclusion a "form of child abuse."
"He's obviously just parroting the nonsense he's been told by manipulative adults," Wildmon said in a statement. "For gay activists to trot out this child and make him the poster child for promoting unnatural sexual expression is a form of child abuse."
The group claims over 12,000 members responded to an "action alert" to contact Fayetteville officials demanding an end to the parade.
The protest has not derailed Mayor Lioneld Jordan's plans to deliver the city's endorsement on Saturday.
"The mayor is still excited," Lindsley Smith, communications director for the city, told the Fayetteville Flyer. "Everything's still on."
Smith confirmed that the mayor had received over 300 emails urging him to withdraw support by Wednesday afternoon, but added that most of those communications came from non-Fayetteville residents.
In March, Phillips accepted a Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Award on behalf of CNN producer Beth Marengo, who won in the Outstanding TV Journalism Segment category for her interview with Phillips and his father.
"I know there are certain political restraints that make action difficult, however lack of equality for some is lack of equality for all and I think its time for us all to get equal," Phillips told a cheering crowd.
Phillips attracted the attention of the national media last year when he refused to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance at school, saying gay people don't enjoy "liberty and justice."
"I looked at the end [of the Pledge of Allegiance], and it said 'liberty and justice for all,' and there really isn't liberty and justice for all. Gays and lesbians can't marry," he told CNN in an interview.
Social conservatives have railed against the unanimous decision to honor the boy.
Bryan Fischer, director of analysis at the American Family Association, said Phillips was being exploited by adults for "dark political purposes."
"There is nothing about homosexual conduct to be proud of and much to be ashamed of," he told Fox News.
AFA President Tim Wildmon called Phillips' inclusion a "form of child abuse."
"He's obviously just parroting the nonsense he's been told by manipulative adults," Wildmon said in a statement. "For gay activists to trot out this child and make him the poster child for promoting unnatural sexual expression is a form of child abuse."
The group claims over 12,000 members responded to an "action alert" to contact Fayetteville officials demanding an end to the parade.
The protest has not derailed Mayor Lioneld Jordan's plans to deliver the city's endorsement on Saturday.
"The mayor is still excited," Lindsley Smith, communications director for the city, told the Fayetteville Flyer. "Everything's still on."
Smith confirmed that the mayor had received over 300 emails urging him to withdraw support by Wednesday afternoon, but added that most of those communications came from non-Fayetteville residents.
In March, Phillips accepted a Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Award on behalf of CNN producer Beth Marengo, who won in the Outstanding TV Journalism Segment category for her interview with Phillips and his father.
"I know there are certain political restraints that make action difficult, however lack of equality for some is lack of equality for all and I think its time for us all to get equal," Phillips told a cheering crowd.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine