Former Christian Right Homophobe Sees the Error of His Ways

Editor's note: This interview originally appeared on Pam Spaulding's blog, Pam's House Blend

Gen. Peter Pace's recent remarks about homosexuality and military service have resulted in a good deal of commentary in print and in the mainstream media. The major issue, of course, was that the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff cited his personal views as a justification for retaining the policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which denies openly gay and lesbian citizens from serving in the military.

"I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the United States is well served by a policy that says its is okay to be immoral in any way."

One column that weighed in on the general's views, Running at the Wrong Pace, at the Evening Bulletin, was a blazing indictment of the American Family Association's nearly single-minded fixation on anything gay, calling out the fear and smear tactics used by the stewards of the AFA, Don and Tim Wildmon, in support of Pace's bigotry.

The author of the editorial was none other than Joe Murray, a columnist and a former staff attorney for the AFA, which is based in Tupelo, Miss. The Southern Poverty Law Center lists it among "A Mighty Army" of religious right organizations that promotes homophobia through its direct mail appeals, email action alerts and columns. In an October 2004 article, the AFA Journal suggests that the Homosexual Agenda is leading to a "grotesque culture" that will include "quick encounters in the middle school boys' restroom," and SPLC notes that one of its fundraising letters included this gem -- "Since homosexuals cannot reproduce, the only way for them to 'breed' is to RECRUIT! And who are their targets for recruitment? Children!"  I've posted  quite a bit on the organization as well.

Murray, in sync with the AFA's view that homosexuality will destroy civilization, wrote anti-gay (albeit entertaining) columns that added the terms Sodomy Squadron and Buggery Blitzkrieg to the gay lexicon. It was hard to believe that this was the same person writing this about the AFA regarding Pace's comments:

The American Family Association, a pro-family organization and former employer of this writer, sprung into action sending out this "action alert": "Homosexuals working to get Marine general punished for comments calling homosexual act immoral."

AFA then warned that the homosexual lobby "already forced [Pace] to back down a step," and urged supporters to defend Pace and "take a stand for our troops who cannot get involved in this political situation." AFA, like others, had pulled out its red herring.

This is not a political situation, but instead it is a situation where a high ranking official made comments that judged individuals, not ideas. Pace singled out gay soldiers during a time of war and told these men and women that they were immoral. His comments, as a military official, were over the line and not defensible. AFA, like other "Christian" groups, chose to run to Pace's aid and such an act suggests borderline bigoted behavior from an organization claiming the mantle of Christianity. This is disturbing.

After writing my own reaction to Murray's piece, I decided to contact him in an effort to learn more about his evolution in thinking on LGBT rights. I was pleasantly surprised when he enthusiastically agreed to do an interview.

Murray, who has also served as national director of correspondence for Patrick J. Buchanan's 2000 bid for the GOP nomination, joined the AFA because it aligned with his prolife outlook, is today uncomfortable with the label "conservative" because he feels that its definition has been hijacked by the fringe, though he's clearly not on the progressive side of the fence politically.