The Eagle Forum’s Hidden Anti-Homophobia Agenda

Does the Eagle Forum have a hidden gay agenda of its own?  According to an email that slipped through the fingers of Colleen Holmes, it appears that she certainly does.  Ms. Holmes is the Executive Director of the Eagle Forum, a pro family right wing group in Washington DC originally started for women and now plays host to over 80,000 men and women.  Being the Executive Director of this organization, her words unequivocally speak for the organization as well and gives us at least a hint of what goes on behind closed door.  It may be no secret that the Eagle Forum and other right wing groups are anti-gay, but it is interesting to be a fly on the wall and get a glimpse of the plotting and planning.

I received an email from a very reliable source, who also happens to be a friend that I know personally. I have no reason to doubt the legitimacy of the email contents or integrity of the source.  This friend, Jack E. Jett, TV and Radio Personality, has done many professional interviews and articles for online and offline publications.  He recently had an interview scheduled with the Executive Director of the Eagle Forum, Colleen Holmes.  Ms. Holmes sent a cancellation notice for the scheduled interview because of a meeting she wasn’t previously aware of.  She simultaneously attached another email that was meant for someone else. The intended party is still unknown at this juncture. 

The email contains very detailed advice of Ms. Holmes suggestions of how to battle the fear of being viewed as homophobic.  That doesn’t sound so bad in itself.  It’s actually somewhat of a pleasure knowing that at least one anti-gay right wing activist is shaking in her boots.  However, her statements and her suggestive actions for victory are very disturbing.  

When Ms. Holmes was confronted about her words, she simply claimed there was no way she could be homophobic because her uncle died of AIDS.  Yes, we heard that correctly.  Ms. Holmes’ self-qualification of denying her own homophobia is that a relative of hers died of AIDS.  That’s it, after all she wrote in her email. 

In her email she states that she was giving more thought as to why people are reluctant to get involved.  Obviously she and the intended recipient of this email already knew what the issue was she was speaking of, as it is a continuation of a previous communication.  I can attain from the content that she is referring to an anti-gay movement against the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell or DADT.  But more importantly for this article is what she thinks of homosexuals herself and how that reflects on the Eagle Forum as a whole.  Ms. Holmes said her thoughts led her to “brainstorm ways to counter the ‘Will and Grace’ affect.”  She claims that liberals (the other side) have bullied Americans from taking a stance that “homosexuality is wrong.”  She also blames Hollywood and media outlets for reacting so strongly to any negativity regarding homosexuality. 

Ms. Holmes gives an example of an incident that occurred on the Regis and Kelly morning show where Clay Aiken was a guest on the show.  During the episode Aiken placed his hand over Kelly Ripa’s mouth while she was saying something in an effort to stop her.  Holmes believes Aiken’s actions were physical battery.  She quotes Ripa, ‘That’s a no-no, I don’t know where that hand has been.’ She writes of Ripa saying she was only concerned about germs because she’s a mother.  The email strongly disagrees with Rosie O’Donnell and other gay activists for suggesting Ripa’s words were homophobic when Ripa was the real victim.   

I’ve seen a clip of this incident and can attest that I am able to see both sides.  From my perspective it is certainly unclear whether or not Ripa’s words were homophobic or simply a reaction to the idea of contracting germs.  Either way, her facial expression seemed to portray a certain level of disgust that could have easily been taken to be something more than that which could be remedied with a small dab of germicidal cleanser.   However, Ms. Holmes believes it was non-homophobic because of Kelly Ripa’s reasoning for her remark to Aiken’s actions.  She doesn’t take into consideration that Ripa may have been protecting herself from being labeled a ‘homophobe’.  In an analytical contrast of context it contradicts what the email is all about.   
 
On being accused of homophobia, Ms. Holmes says, “the issue has become such a tar baby.”  She mentions that people are very guarded of being labeled a homophobe because it is so liberally applied and that gay advocates are very diligent in their attacks.  For that reason those who object to homosexuality fear risking their fury because being labeled a ‘homophobic’ could interfere with other issues and goals to be accomplished. 

In Ms. Holmes suggestion of how to recruit military personnel for her email recipient’s cause, she is very specific on her thoughts.  She suggests, “to use ‘horror stories’ to illustrate that allowing homosexuals in the military is not simply a matter of respecting one person’s personal choice, but they actually threaten our national security and in some cases individual soldiers’ personal safety.”  Yes, she said that.

She goes on to say, “I saw this use of ‘horror stories’ executed very well.”  She is referring to her attendance at the Family Research Council’s Panel Discussion where the topic was same-sex marriage.  Ms. Holmes refers her intended recipient to this web page.  She talks of how delightful the meeting was and that there was only one person who defended gay marriage out of six participants. 

 “The most compelling arguments were the ‘horror stories’ in which children were being intimidated on playgrounds for being homophobes.”  Apparently Ms. Holmes does not think that children who are thought to be homosexual are forced to live through their own real life horror stories.  Those children who lash out at their intolerant classmates are only doing so because they were first harassed and ridiculed by them.  I can only conclude that Ms. Holmes and the Eagle Forum do not consider that innocent children being called names such as “faggot’ or ‘dyke’ qualifies for a self defensive verbal response.  This is a perfect example of bigotry at its worst. 

The email glorifies how these “horror stories” eased the minds of the listeners and suggests using the same tactics to motivate military personal who may be reluctant to join the cause.  Additionally, how effective they were at “illustrating the dangers of same-sex marriage.”

In closing Ms. Holmes says, “This is a very intense battle not just politically, but I really believe it is a spiritual battle.”  I can only conclude that her closing argument is based on her ideals on the separation of church and state.

This article pertains to and contains factual information that I derived from an email from Colleen Holmes, Executive Director of the Eagle Forum.  The quotes herewith are also believed to be fact because they were written by the author in a factual manner confirming places, events, time periods and reference to other individuals. 

I have attached the original content of the email below so that readers of this article can make their own determination based on her personal viewpoints within the full context of the email. 

Colleen Holmes may be contacted via the following information:

Eagle Forum
316 Pennsylvania Ave., S.E.
Suite 203
Washington, D.C. 20003

colleen@eagleforum.org email
suzane@eagleforum.org email

I was giving more thought to why people are hesitant to get involved in
this issue, which led to trying to brainstorm ways to counter the “Will
and Grace” effect. The other side has so effectively used rhetoric and
emotionality to manipulate and flat-out bully many Americans away from
taking any position indicating that homosexuality is wrong. It’s not
surprising that politicians, media members and even military leaders are
shying away from the topic, because Hollywood and other media outlets
react so virulently at even the slightest hint of negativity toward
homosexuality. There are so many examples. One that you’ll probably
remember that really illustrated the hysteria to me happened when
American Idol runner up Clay Aiken was co-hosting the morning talk show
“Regis and Kelly.” While exchanging banter with host Kelly Ripa, Clay
(then-rumored, now confirmed to be homosexual) put his hand over her
mouth to stop her from talking because he disagreed with something she
was saying. Legally, his actions constituted battery, in addition to
being a terrible violation of etiquette and civil conduct among adults.
Ripa, understandably upset, moved his hand away and said something like,
“That’s a no-no, I don’t know where that hand has been.” Ripa insisted
that she was merely concerned about germs as a working mother with three
young children. Rosie O’Donnell and other gay media advocates blasted
Ripa – the actual wronged party in the situation – insisting that the
comment was a homophobic slur. The issue has become such a tar baby,
people don’t want to go anywhere near it, because the “homophobe”
moniker is so dreaded and so liberally applied. It’s also very
distracting, because the homosexual advocates are so strident and
relentless in their attacks. Thus, people fear saying anything that
might risk their ire, for fear that such attacks will detract from other
issues or work the figure might want to focus on or accomplish.

One thing I thought that might be somewhat helpful in your efforts to
recruit members of the military for your cause is to do what Pete or
Peter, the gentleman seated to your left against the wall during the
meeting indicated – use “horror stories” to illustrate that allowing
homosexuals in the military is not simply a matter of respecting one
person’s personal choice, but they actually threaten our national
security and in some cases individual soldiers’ personal safety. I know
the horror stories are very difficult to find as you explained. It
sounded like you did have some that illustrate the very serious issues.

I saw this use of “horror stories” executed very well earlier this
summer when I attended the Family Research Council’s Panel Discussion on
Same Sex “Marriage.” (Which can be found online at:
http://www.frc.org/panel/california-same-sex-marriage-the-impact-on-religious-liberty)

Admittedly, that was a very friendly forum. In fact, it was about 6-1,
with only Chai Feldblum defending the same sex marriage. Even though she
was in the minority, she was treated very respectfully (I’m so sorry
members of the U.S. Congress did not feel it was necessary to afford you
the same respect.). There were many constitutional law and policy
experts, but the most compelling arguments were the “horror stories” in
which children were being intimidated on playgrounds for being
“homophobes” (synonymous with Christians) and one parent was actually
arrested for peacefully dissenting against his child’s being forced to
participate in a pro-homosexual “educational” presentation.

One presenter discussed some of these examples. Chai Feldblum scoffed at
them and said essentially, “the other side will tell you the sky is
falling. . . ,” but indicated those were extreme examples and there was
no danger of those scenarios actually happening. Feldblum was followed
by Ben Bull of the Alliance Defense Fund who had cases in hand to say
that not only is the sky falling, he was holding pieces of it. This was
so effective in not only illustrating the dangers same sex marriage
presented, but it enabled the listener to overcome the intimidation and
fear of being labeled a homophobe by having tangible examples to further
legitimize their position.

I know all this is easier said than done, but these are just some ideas
about the PR battle that it seems needs to be waged first against any
hesitation military leaders who support the current law might have to
taking a stand for it.

Again, just some ruminations for now, but I would love to continue the
discussion and to see if there is any way we can help. Again, I
appreciate what you’re doing so much and know that this is a very
intense battle not just politically and interpersonally, but I really
believe it is a spiritual battle.

Looking forward to talking to you more soon.

Many blessings,

Colleen

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