Compare and Contrast

In the wake of the shooting at the FRC offices in Washington, D.C. this morning, it's instructive to look at the responses. Via Metro Weekly, we get a good look.

First, about two dozen gay advocacy groups have issued a joint statement:

We were saddened to hear news of the shooting this morning at the offices of the Family Research Council. Our hearts go out to the shooting victim, his family, and his co-workers.

The motivation and circumstances behind today’s tragedy are still unknown, but regardless of what emerges as the reason for this shooting, we utterly reject and condemn such violence. We wish for a swift and complete recovery for the victim of this terrible incident.

Of course, then there's Brian Brown of NOM:

"Today's attack is the clearest sign we've seen that labeling pro-marriage groups as 'hateful' must end," said Brown. "The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the Family Research Council a 'hate group' for its pro-marriage views, and less than a day ago the Human Rights Campaign issued a statement calling FRC a 'hate group'—they even specified that FRC hosts events in Washington, DC, where today's attack took place."

Brown said that for "too long national gay rights groups have intentionally marginalized and ostracized pro-marriage groups and individuals by labeling them as 'hateful' and 'bigoted.'"

I must point out that the SPLC was quite clear that it did not label FRC a hate group for its "pro-marriage" views. It labeled FRC a hate group because of its consistent pattern of using lies, misrepresentations and distortions to demonize LGBT people.

And can you say "projection"?