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Conservative Evangelical Christian leader Franklin Graham lashed out after learning of Christian musician Amy Grant's plan to host her niece's same-sex wedding.
Grant shared the news with The Washington Post last month, ahead of her receiving a Kennedy Center Honor. The article noted that Grant had voiced her support for the LGBTQ+ community in recent years, through which she has a big fanbase.
She told the newspaper that she and her husband—country music star Vince Gill—are excited to host her family’s "first bride and bride” nuptials.
Speaking of the moment her niece came out, she said:
"Honestly, from a faith perspective, I do always say, 'Jesus, you just narrowed it down to two things: love God and love each other."
"I mean, hey — that's pretty simple.”
But the news angered Graham, who heads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which was founded by his late father, one of the United States' most well known Evangelical leaders.
Graham took issue with Grant's remark about Jesus, opining that while "we are to love God and love each other," sin is clearly defined in the Bible and God's "Word is clear that homosexuality is sin."
He proceeded to refer to Biblical scripture, adding:
"We have all sinned, and in order to have a relationship with God and spend eternity with Him in Heaven, we must turn from our sin and put our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to earth to die for our sins."
"The Bible says, 'Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,' (Acts 3:19)."
"For me, loving others also means caring about their souls and where they will spend eternity. It means loving people enough to tell them the truth from the Word of God."
"The authority of God’s Word is something we can never compromise on."
You can see Graham's post below.
Graham also posted the same announcement to his official Twitter account.
\u201cAmy Grant announced that she & her husband Vince Gill are going to host a same-sex wedding on their farm for her niece. Amy is quoted as saying, \u201cJesus you just narrowed it down to two things: love God & love each other.\u201d\u00a0https://t.co/SznCI3trDg\u201d— Franklin Graham (@Franklin Graham) 1671409792
Many have called out Graham for his blatant homophobia and expressed their support for Grant and her family.
Others also took him to task for openly supporting former Republican President Donald Trump, who enjoys strong support from an Evangelical base despite his numerous scandals.
\u201cAfter 26 children and educators were shot to death in Sandy Hook School, Franklin Graham said we didn\u2019t need lawmakers to pass background checks because God does them in heaven. Guns are now the leading cause of death among kids in the US. But he's worried about lesbians...\u201d— Shannon Watts (@Shannon Watts) 1671573627
\u201cIt looks as though I am now #TeamAmyGrant! Anyone who gets the wrath of this idiot deserves to be praised. \n\nAmy Grant = Shows the meaning of being a CHRIST follower by showing his love and light\n\nFranklin Graham = Created God in HIS image and bashes anyone who goes against him.\u201d— Kevin A (he/him) (@Kevin A (he/him)) 1671564842
\u201cFor @Franklin_Graham , being a Christian means praising Trump and condemning Amy Grant. #seemslegit\u201d— Just Some Dude (@Just Some Dude) 1671564103
\u201cFun fact: I played keyboards on a remix of Amy Grant's #1 hit Baby, Baby.\n\nAnd good for Grant loving her niece.\u201d— Peter Daou (@Peter Daou) 1671564553
\u201cWhen Franklin Graham is trying to *correct* you, know you are probably doing things right!\u201d— James Engel (@James Engel) 1671564673
\u201cFranklin, take several seats and leave Amy Grant ALONE! You supported a thrice married adulterer whose entire grasp of the Bible is \u201cTwo Corinthians\u201d. Your inner Pharisee is working overtime.\u201d— ReadyAbout (@ReadyAbout) 1671566212
\u201cGood for her! Be mindful that @Franklin_Graham is citing some moral issue with this wedding after supporting Donald Trump for years! WE know his positions aren't about morals or characters. They're about hate, control & white supremacy. #franklingraham\u201d— TED WINN (@TED WINN) 1671562377
\u201cOh, the guy who supported a puss-grabbing adulterer & traitor feels this is newsworthy?\n<yawn>\nWhat's for lunch?\u201d— Christian Janeway \ud83d\udd96\ud83e\udd42\ud83d\udd0d\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f (@Christian Janeway \ud83d\udd96\ud83e\udd42\ud83d\udd0d\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f) 1671558687
Graham is a notorious homophobe who supported North Carolina Amendment 1, which was passed by a voter referendum in May 2012 and prohibited same-sex marriage and all domestic partnerships in the state. Amendment 1 was the last state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage to be passed in the United States via voter referendum, as well as the shortest-lived: it was found unconstitutional in federal court in October 2014.
Graham has previously criticized former Democratic President Barack Obama for supporting same-sex marriage rights, accusing Obama of having "shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage."
In 2019, after former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg became the first openly gay man to announce a run for the 2020 Democratic nomination for President against Trump, Graham attacked Buttigieg for his homosexuality and marriage to another gay man in April 2019.
The tweet was met with a strong negative response against Graham, much of which condemned Graham as a hypocrite for selective criticism of a Democratic candidate's perceived wrongdoings while remaining silent on those perceived of the incumbent Republican.