The AFA attacks homosexual couples in MY neighborhood!

Today is Christmas, and as a Jew, my family and I generally gather together to eat Chinese food or go to the movies. Despite the fact that I don't celebrate Christmas, I believe this time of year--regardless of religion or faith-- is for family, friends, support, and love.

I can't even begin to describe the confusion and sadness I feel because of the organization that calls itself the The American Family Association (AFA). They claim to "represent and stand for traditional family values." Their mission is "to motivate and equip citizens to change the culture to reflect Biblical truth." Apparently, to them, "Biblical truth" means that they have the right to attack others for loving each other and raising familes. It means that they have the right to spread hate during the time of year when families and friends come together and celebrate. It means that they have the right to send hateful messages to families who live differently than themselves.

This is happening right now to two of the most generous and loving people I have met since living in New York City. Lea Forant, Carolyn Montgomery, and their beautiful (yet mischevious) son Eli, have been the targets of the AFA's cruel agenda. Lea and Carolyn opened Cafe Forant in Hell's Kitchen 2 years ago. Ever since, their cozy little cafe has been a haven for so many people who crave a homemade meal and a home away from home. This year, Lea, Carolyn, and Eli were asked by Swanson broth (owned by Campbell's Soup Company) to appear in an ad campaign that was to be published in The Advocate. (Please see ad below).
Since the ad has been published, the AFA has called upon their members to spew cruel and abhorrent words to Lea and Carolyn. Everyday they receive emails from people who know nothing about them or their family. They call Lea and Carolyn's "lifestyle" an abomination and pour their angry and sad hearts out to a couple who have done them no wrong. These emails even attack 4- year-old Eli, hinting that Eli is only their "claimed" son. Members of the AFA are boycotting Campbell's Soup Company products and writing letters to the president of the company, Douglas Conant, demanding that he stop supporting the homosexual lifestyle.

I cannot fathom why people who claim to be devout Christians would participate in such despicable acts during the holiday season. Didn't Jesus die for all of their sins? Aren't they supposed to treat everyone kindly and with respect? I thought that was the core value of the Christian faith. Now maybe I don't know because I am Jewish, but it seems to me that these angry and volatile people are harboring something much deeper and scarier than their claim of doing God's work. It angers and saddens me that they believe a God would want them to discriminate and attack others who happen to be in a different situation than themselves.

This just goes to show that even in New York City, where everyone's differences are generally embraced and celebrated, odious words and behavior can still slip through the cracks. Please support my wonderful friends at Cafe Forant. Visit their website at www.cafeforant.com or send kind words and thoughts their way. In these rocky times, we need to come together. It's the only way that change can happen.

Have a wonderful holiday,

Becca