Tony Perkins Celebrates Anti-LGBT GOP Platform

Via press release:



For those looking for conflict in Cleveland at the 2016 GOP Convention – they may be a bit disappointed. The contested convention that was talked about did not materialize, nor is a battle royal developing over the party’s platform. After the first full day of working on the platform, it appears the GOP is set to have another solidly conservative statement of principles that draws sharp lines of contrast with the Democratic Party.

I once again have the privilege of serving as Louisiana’s male delegate on the platform committee. I am grateful to the Republican voters of Louisiana and the leadership of the state party for giving me the opportunity to help craft the GOP guiding document that will hopefully shape and direct the party’s work over the next four years. I am also fortunate to have a great team of policy personnel from FRC Action on the ground here in Cleveland working in coalition with other conservative groups and delegates to ensure the party’s platform remains a solidly conservative document.

Four years ago, our efforts helped lead to the adoption of a pro-life, pro-family platform. Because of the current conservative RNC leadership, we started our work here in Cleveland with the framework of a solid conservative platform. Most of the modifications made Monday to the draft platform addressed the recent challenges created under the Obama administration. For example, the pro-life plank was strengthened with language calling for the removal of taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood.

The marriage plank was strengthened with language explaining why children deserve a mom and dad. Religious liberty text was added protecting businesses and military service members. I also took the opportunity to successfully introduce an amendment to address the events in Dallas and my home town of Baton Rouge stating that “the next president must cease sowing seeds of division and distrust between the police and the people they have sworn to serve and protect. The Republican Party, a party of law and order, must make clear in both words and actions that every human life matters.”

We are also pleased that the party is now on record standing with the 23 states that are suing President Obama over his bathroom & locker room edict. These amendments were overwhelmingly adopted. There were a handful of LGBT activists and sympathizers who opposed language highlighting the privacy and safety concerns related to the president’s locker room decrees as well as the party’s clearly stated view that natural marriage is the cornerstone of society. Some in the media attempted to seize on this as evidence of a divided party. Far from it. My prediction is that Republicans will leave Cleveland with a solid platform and will unite around the party’s nominee for the purpose of saving America for the next generation and beyond.