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Billy Graham's Son: Obama Could Learn from Putin's Homophobia

Billy Graham's Son: Obama Could Learn from Putin's Homophobia

Franklin

Franklin Graham praises Vladimir Putin for cracking down on homosexuality.

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The heir to Billy Graham's evangelical throne, son Franklin Graham, is telling his flock that Vladimir Putin's state-sanctioned homophobia should serve as a lesson to President Obama.

Writing in his own Decision magazine, Graham called Obama's embrace of LGBT rights "shameful," and said he should follow in Putin's footsteps. The Russian leader signed a bill that criminalizes gay "propaganda" and his government does little to prevent antigay violence.

"Isn't it sad, though, that America's own morality has fallen so far that on this issue -- protecting children from any homosexual agenda or propaganda -- Russia's standard is higher than our own?," wrote Graham, who included some caveats, saying his support for Putin wasn't unequivocal.

"In my opinion, Putin is right on [LGBT] issues," Graham writes. "Obviously, he may be wrong about many things, but he has taken a stand to protect his nation's children from the damaging effects of any gay and lesbian agenda."

Graham leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and often strikes a more polemic tone than his father did during the Reagan and Bush years. Read more here.

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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.