Focus on the Funk

Focus on the Family ran an article titled Gay Activists Take Aim at Tony Dungy, subtitled Indianapolis Colts coach's Christian pro-family beliefs challenged.

Of course, it's not Mr. Dungy's "Christian pro-family beliefs" that are being challenged, it's his choice to appear at a fundraiser for an anti-gay political organization. It's hard to tell that from the article though... it says:

Jim Buzinski, co-founder of OutSports.com, a Web site aimed at the homosexual audience, claims that Indiana Family Institute (IFI) is a political organization.

"He is speaking at the dinner next week in front of group that is very much a political organization," Buzinski said.

IFI President Curt Smith said neither the dinner nor the award is political.

Notice that they try to confuse you by observing oppenents' remarks that IFI is a political organization, but then saying the dinner and award are not political; firstly, tha's comparing apples and oranges, and secondly, I personally consider it untrue, as a fundraising dinner for a political organization is, in my opinion, a political dinner.

Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family Action, said gay groups would like to silence anyone they perceive as opposing the gay agenda -- even a celebrated athlete or coach.

It's called "Christophobia."

First of all, it's flatly untrue that gay activists are trying to silence Mr. Dungy. He's entirely entitled to speak in front of IFI if he wants to. And, IFI is entirely within their rights to have their dinner and give him an award. We're merely making our displeasure known.

As for calling "Christophobia", I consider that remark to be bigoted hatemongering, a disgusting slur against innocent gay and lesbian people throughout the nation. Many gay and lesbian Americans are Christian.

Dungy was not available for interviews, but the Colts organization issued a statement saying that the coach is free to speak to any group he wishes.

"The club does not take positions in political issues in which it is not directly involved," the statement said. "The Colts do not endorse any political or religious position taken by any group that any Colts employee decides to speak or lend his or her name to."

However, the Colts haven't objected to IFI's use of their logo to advertise the event.

Focus on the Falsehoods

Ex-Gay Watch reports that Focus on the Family has falsely reported that:

Under pressure from homosexual activists, the American Psychological Association (APA) plans to re-examine its policy on therapy for gay men and women seeking change.

As reported by Ex-Gay watch, the reality is that PFLAG (a group of heterosexual people) initially brought up the issue with the APA, and later, according to the APA, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force only provided an opinion to the APA when the APA requested it.