American Family Association of Pennsylvania
NEWS RELEASE:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2004
CONTACT: Diane Gramley (814) 271-9078 or
(814) 437-5355
PHILLIES' SPLIT PERSONALITY CONTINUES WITH
SECOND ANNUAL GAY COMMUNITY DAY
(Philadelphia)-- Monday, August 9 will be
the Philadelphia Phillies Second Annual Gay Community Day. Today the
American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a pro-family
group, contacted the Phillies expressing concern that they are giving
special recognition to many of those who are working to defund and oust
the Cradle of Liberty Scout Council from their headquarters. In the
process the Phillies have also abandoned the majority of families who
support them.
The Phillies seem to have a split
personality! Monday evening will be special recognition for those who
engage in homosexual behavior. One of the co-sponsors of the event is the
Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia, some of which are working to
discriminate against the Cradle of Liberty Scout Council because of their
adherence to the national policy of not permitting openly homosexual scout
leaders.
Yet according to the Phillies website:
Boy Scouts of America
The Phillies support our local Cradle of Liberty chapter financially,
through banquets and the Rich Ashburn Celebrity Golf Classic. To date,
over $1.8 million has been raised to support scouting.
"The Phillies are trying to have it both
ways -- on one hand support those who engage in homosexual behavior and on
the other support the Scouts. Most in the community see the support for
the Scouts, but few know of the Phillies giving a 'special day' to those
who are seeking to remold or destroy the Scouts. Last year was the
Phillies' first step down the road of abandoning the families of the Boy
Scouts who have supported the Phillies for years, if not generations,"
Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA remarked.
This year's decision is further indication
the Phillies are simply interested in appearing 'politically correct.' The
majority of parents attending do not want to have to explain to their
children the words 'Gay Community Day' flashing across the marquee or the
rainbow banners flying in the stadium
All indications from last year were that the
Phillies fully embraced the idea of giving special recognition to
homosexuals. But what is it that they are embracing? It is a behavior
which, according to the Oxford University International Journal of
Epidemiology, shortens the lives of the male participants by up to 20
years
.
Other studies report those involved in
homosexual practices have increased risks of sexually transmitted
diseases, cancers, eating and psychological disorders and domestic
violence.
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"Why are the Phillies giving the message to
those attending Monday night's game that 'gay is okay'? Are the Phillies
going to advise concerned parents that they have set this day aside to
give special recognition for those who engage in abhorrent behavior and
who are discriminating against the local Scout council? Parents need to
be able to make an informed decision about attending the Phillies/Rockies
game and not be caught in the awkward position of having to explain to
their children two men or two women holding hands or kissing," stated
Gramley.
The Phillies have forsaken their base and
families will be extremely cautious in the future when making plans to
attend their baseball games. The American Family Association of
Pennsylvania is urging the Phillies to stop promoting a lifestyle which is
destroying the lives of many in Philadelphia and around the nation and to
stop giving a 'special day' to those who are actively discriminating
against the Scouts.
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