Washington, DC – Four news stories in the last week clearly show that homosexual activists are determined to undermine our First Amendment freedoms of religion and free speech.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a homosexual media group has recently launched a new effort designed to intimidate and silence radio talk show hosts who may be critical of homosexuality. GLAAD’s new program is called "AM/FM Activism." Its stated goal is to help local homosexual community organizers to "attack hate radio in their own communities." GLAAD, of course, helped destroy Dr. Laura’s TV program. Fresh from this victory, activists are now going to attempt to stifle the freedom of speech of radio talk show hosts—and drive them from the airwaves with boycotts and protest efforts.

Disagreement with homosexuals by talk show hosts is now being labeled "hate radio," and vocal pronouncements against homosexuality as a sinful or perverted lifestyle are called "hate speech."

Homosexuals have gone ballistic over recent comments made by a Florida legislator to a group of teenage homosexual activists. When Florida Rep. Allen Trovillion met with these activists to discuss a pro-homosexual bill under consideration, he told them they were undermining our nation by promoting homosexuality. He also told them that God had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah over homosexuality.

Since then, two Democratic Congressmen and Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee have attacked Trovillion for his remarks. In addition, homosexual activists have launched a national campaign to vilify Trovillion for his belief that homosexuality is a sin.

In Tempe, Arizona, a group of pro-lifers who had recently gathered to sing and pray during their annual Walk for Life, were told by city officials that they were forbidden from praying in a public park. Tempe’s Mayor Neil Giuliano is an open homosexual who is currently facing a recall election in September over his efforts to keep city employees from contributing to the Boy Scouts through the United Way. Giuliano’s administration is apparently willing to violate the freedom of religion of peaceful pro-lifers, and he is also determined to punish the Boy Scouts because of its policy against allowing homosexuals to join.

California’s pro-homosexual Department of Education has just finalized 12 school mandates for the teaching of homosexuality in the public schools. The mandates require teaching homosexuality as a positive lifestyle in all curricula; uses tax dollars to help establish homosexual teen groups on campuses; and implements a program to punish anyone who criticizes homosexuality in a public school. In short, school teachers will become sensitivity police who will track down students or other teachers who believe homosexuality is a perversion and sin. California Governor Gray Davis is overseeing the destruction of free speech in his state and the death of parental rights.

These four recent incidents clearly show where homosexual activists are headed. They want freedom of speech for themselves, but not for anyone who criticizes their behavior. In the politically correct world of homosexuality, any challenge against their agenda is considered "hate," which must be punished and eventually criminalized. If homosexuals achieve their goal, a day will come when public criticism of homosexuality will be a federal crime.

If this seems far fetched, one need only look at what has happened in Canada, where homosexual behavior is now considered a basic "human right" that must be protected by the government. Christian ministry radio programs originating in the U.S. must delete any critical references to homosexuality before they can air in Canada. In addition, one Canadian citizen was fined over $6,000 for buying an ad in a local newspaper where he quoted Leviticus 18:22 from the Bible. This verse states that homosexuality is a sin. Canadian homosexuals have largely succeeded in silencing their opposition and criminalizing any criticism against them. They plan on doing the same thing here through hate crime laws and protests. The question is whether or not the American people have the courage to oppose them. If we do not, we can say goodbye to freedom of speech and religion in this nation.

Traditional Values Coalition is an inter-denominational public policy organization comprising over 43,000 member churches. For more information call Christy Moore at (202) 547-8570. TVC, 139 C Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. Web address: www.traditionalvalues.org.