March 6, 2012
Kirk Cameron's comments drawing support & condemnation
Robert Nesti READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Kirk Cameron is getting support from the conservative base for his anti-gay marriage comments, ABCNews.com reported today.
"While gay rights activists are eviscerating Kirk Cameron for calling homosexuality 'unnatural,' 'detrimental,' and 'ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization,' the former 'Growing Pains' star has received 'thousands of emails and comments' of support, Cameron's representative told ABCNews.com today.
"Cameron is thankful for the thousands of emails and comments that he's received from those who value the freedom to express one's beliefs," the actor's rep said in an e-mail statement."
The response came after Cameron, the former child television star ("Growing Pains") expressed his conservative, religious-based views last Friday on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight." he was there to promote his upcoming documentary "Monumental."
On the show he said: "Marriage is almost as old as dirt, and it was defined in the garden between Adam and Eve. One man, one woman for life till death do you part. So I would never attempt to try to redefine marriage. And I don't think anyone else should either."
ABCNews.com reported that Hollywood has responded to his comments via Twitter.
"On Sunday, Tracey Gold, who co-starred with Cameron on "Growing Pains," wrote ' am a strong supporter of the #LGBT Community, and I believe in equal rights for all. #NOH8 #LOVE'.
"'Modern Family' star Jesse Tyler Ferguson quipped, 'The only unnatural thing about me being gay is that I had a crush on Kirk Cameron until about 24 hours ago.' Roseanne Barr wrote, 'kirk or kurt or whatever cameron is an accomplice to murder with his hate speech.'"
What did Morgan think? Interviewed by TMZ.com, he called Cameron's views "antiquated," but thought it was "brave" of him to share them.
ABCNews.com asked Cameron for a comment, but his representative declined.
"Meanwhile," the report concluded, "GLAAD has launched a petition to "Tell Kirk Cameron It's Time to Finally Grow Up." As of this afternoon, it had more than 2,300 signatures.
"'Thousands, including many people of faith, have shared the campaign and spoken out against Cameron's remarks,' GLAAD spokesman Herndon Graddick said in a statement today. 'Kirk Cameron's statements are not only out-of-touch with the beliefs of most Americans, they contribute to a climate of hostility and falsely suggest that communities of faith are not accepting of LGBT people.'"
Robert Nesti can be reached at [email protected].