Evangelical Franklin Graham Tired of Pro-LGBT Ads, Calls For Boycott of Businesses

Evangelical leader Franklin Graham -- son of the late Rev. Billy Graham -- is calling for a boycott of all businesses that are LGBT-friendly. The longtime opponent to LGBT rights announced the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association would begin its protest by no longer banking with Wells Fargo, because of its heartwarming ad featuring a lesbian couple.

Graham's decision was a result of brainstorming on how to "fight the tide of moral decay that is being crammed down our throats by big business, the media, and the gay & lesbian community," he posted on his Facebook.

"Every day it is something else! Tiffany's started advertising wedding rings for gay couples," Graham said.

"Wells Fargo bank is using a same-sex couple in their advertising. And there are more. But it has dawned on me that we don't have to do business with them. At the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, we are moving our accounts from Wells Fargo to another bank."

According to an interview with the Family Research Council, which lauds Graham's decision, Graham moved the association's money to BB&T.

But it should be noted, Graham's new banker scored 80 percent on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. BB&T has even hosted a same-sex wedding reception, reports Right Wing Watch.

"And guess what--we don't have to shop at Tiffany & Co.," Graham's Facebook post said.

"There are plenty of other jewelry stores. This is one way we as Christians can speak out--we have the power of choice. Let's just stop doing business with those who promote sin and stand against Almighty God's laws and His standards. Maybe if enough of us do this, it will get their attention."

An effective boycott might be more difficult than Graham expects. According to HRC's latest Corporate Equality Index report, 366 companies scored 100 percent - a new record.

That number is predicted to increase as more corporations recognize LGBT equality is good for business. "When a corporation institutes new non-discrimination protections or updates its benefits and diversity practices to be more inclusive, it sends a powerful signal to an entire generation that the company cares about doing what's right," Phil Shrader, CFO at GumGum wrote in Adweek. "In many cases, that signal can be more powerful for recruiting than even the promise of big paychecks."

Ironically, Graham announced the boycott on Facebook and Twitter -- two social media platforms that are enthusiastically pro-LGBT equality.