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Right-wingers are calling the performance sexual exploitation, although they've forgiven the admitted exploiter in the White House.
The sexy and rather political halftime performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira at Sunday's Super Bowl, featuring revealing costumes, pole dancing, and a condemnation of Donald Trump's immigration policies, is drawing both praise and criticism, with some of the leading critics coming from the religious right.
One of the most vocal is Franklin Graham, head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (and a reliably anti-LGBTQ voice). In a Facebook post, Graham dubbed the show "sexual exploitation" -- even though he has forgiven Trump for his admitted exploitation of women -- and he took its sponsor, Pepsi, and the NFL to task.
"I don't expect the world to act like the church, but our country has had a sense of moral decency on prime time television in order to protect children," Graham wrote. "We see that disappearing before our eyes. It was demonstrated tonight in the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show -- with millions of children watching. This exhibition was Pepsi showing young girls that sexual exploitation of women is okay. With the exploitation of women on the rise worldwide, instead of lowering the standard, we as a society should be raising it. I'm disappointed in Pepsi and the NFL."
Trump adviser Jenna Ellis also condemned the show as exploitive. Ellis, who also has a record of very nasty anti-LGBTQ statements, shared a column by right-wing pundit Todd Starnes denouncing the performance.
\u201cThe progressive left only pretends to care about women. It actually exploits and demeans us. The Christian worldview values all human beings equally in inherent dignity and worth because the Bible recognizes all human beings are made in God\u2019s image. https://t.co/ig2bvEkfHT\u201d— Jenna Ellis \ud83c\udf4a\ud83e\udd85 (@Jenna Ellis \ud83c\udf4a\ud83e\udd85) 1580708286
For his part, Starnes wrote, "Jennifer Lopez and Shakira starred in what can only be described as an NC-17 softcore porn production that featured a stripper pole, lots of crotch shots and simulated sex." In a separate piece, Starnes objected to a portion of the show featuring children in cages as a protest against the Trump administration's separation of immigrant families and inhumane treatment of kids.
A Christian conservative group called Finish the Race objected to songs being performed in Spanish and to the numerous LGBTQ-inclusive commercials aired during the game. "You can see the SJW activism & progressive corporate immorality in a number of commercials including homosexuality & trans," Finish the Race posted on Twitter, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Never thought I would see the NFL marketing to weak 'men' and the half time in Spanish. Glad I did not watch a single game, again, this year." This tweet now appears to have been removed; a similar, more muted, but still xenophobic one is on Twitter.
\u201cI am watching the 2020 Super Bowl. Good game but why Spanish half time show?\n\nGame is entertaining but mixed with SJW & progressive corporate commercials promoting Godlessness & especially towards week men.\u00a0\n\nIt reaffirms my decision to not watch any other games each season.\u201d— Finish The Race (@Finish The Race) 1580693908
And in a moment of irony, the Christian Broadcasting Network's website carried a piece praising Demi Lovato, who sang the national anthem before the game, for talking about how her relationship with God has helped her overcome challenges. The people at the anti-LGBTQ broadcast service, home to Pat Robertson and The 700 Club, appear to be unaware that Lovato has said she is attracted to both men and women.
