Michigan Minister Says Gay Marriage Will Lead To Genocide (Seriously)

Michigan Minister Stacy Swimp argues that LGBT activists are responsible for HIV within the Black community.

On February 25, a U.S. District Court in Detroit, Michigan began to hear arguments over the state’s constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Since last year’s Supreme Court decisions upholding marriage equality in California and gutting DOMA, a number of courts have overturned similar state bans.

But a group of more than 50 Michigan clergy are determined to preserve their state’s discriminatory amendment.

This week, their leader accused the LGBT community of perpetrating genocide on the Black community, citing the disproportionate impact HIV has on Black gay and bisexual men.

Citing the CDC, Stacy Swimp argued that homosexuality “spreads the HIV/Aids disease disproportionately in the Black Community” and so “homosexuals, lesbians and their advocates" are committing "genocide of Black men and women.”

Despite the fact that Minister Swimp can not seem to distinguish between seeking equality and converting people, he also completely misunderstands the CDC data.

And that in terms of HIV risk, lesbian intercourse is by far the SAFEST!

The truth is lack of health care access is the main culprit behind the devastating toll that HIV has taken on Black gay and bisexual men.

And gay marriage bans THEMSELVES increase HIV infections by perpetuating homophobia and stigma.

Lucky for us, there are many people of faith working to counter the messages of people like Mr. Swimp.

HIV is not a reason to oppose LGBT equality. Instead, its disproportionate impact on gay and bisexual men and transgender women is the direct result of our community’s history of marginalization.

We should be working together -- faith communities, LGBT activists and leaders from the Black community -- to protect the health and safety of Black gay, bisexual and transgender men and women. In the words of Miss RuPaul herself: