Preacher Has A History Of Calling Homosexuality A Sin
British company Blackpool Transport has pulled Franklin Graham event advertisements on their buses after protests from the LGBTQ community. The event is called “Lancashire Festival of Hope.” It was scheduled to happen at Winter Gardens in Blackpool in September. The LGBTQ protestors were joined by local residents with many complaining of the evangelist’s views on issues like Islam and gay marriage.
LGBTQ Community Gets Evangelist Franklin Graham Event Ads Pulled in the UK[/tweetthis]
The Graham-sponsored advertisements were earlier seen posted on the Palladium bus fleet of Blackpool Transport. Blackpool Pride protested against his scheduled appearance at the Winter Gardens by canceling their two-day long festival booking in June.
Graham is a fierce opponent of LGBT activism and gay rights. In 2015, the evangelist suggested that the devil himself is behind homosexuality. During the Obama era, he insinuated that President Obama was actively working against Christianity by supporting gay marriage.
Jane Cole, the managing director of Blackpool Transport, elaborated on the decision taken by the bus company to yank off the bus advertisements. She said that her company proudly supports LGBTQ and Pride communities. The company, she stressed, never wanted to cause any upset or distress. Cole assured the media that all buses bearing the advertisement would remain inoperational until the offending promotional content have been removed.
Graham’s teachings are so offensive that about 8,000 Britons have signed an online petition to ban him from setting foot on UK soil. The evangelist responded to the petition in a January interview. Graham said that he does not intend to visit Blackpool to rail against gay people or Islam. His sole intention is to preach about Jesus Christ, a savior who can make differences in people’s lives if they allow it.
When asked about how he would face protests in the United Kingdom, Graham, who is president and chief executive officer of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, replied that he is ready to face any protests when he preaches in September. He reminded the interviewer that Billy Graham, his father, the late evangelist, was also opposed when he preached in Britain.