President Barack Obama’s decision to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights around the world is a “war on traditional American values,” according to Texas governor and Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry.

Obama on Tuesday ordered all government agencies that play an active foreign policy role to fight against violence and discrimination targeting LGBT persons around the world. But he stopped short of threatening to cut off aid to countries that do not satisfy U.S. requirements.

“Promoting special rights for gays in foreign countries is not in America’s interests and not worth a dime of taxpayers’ money,” Perry said in a statement.

“But there is a troubling trend here beyond the national security nonsense inherent in this silly idea. This is just the most recent example of an administration at war with people of faith in this country. Investing tax dollars promoting a lifestyle many Americas of faith find so deeply objectionable is wrong.”

Another Republican presidential candidate, former Sen. Rick Santorum, also lambasted the new international LGBT strategy.

“Obviously the administration is promoting their particular agenda in this country, and now they feel its their obligation to promote those values not just in the military, not just in our society, but now around the world with taxpayer dollars,” Santorum told reporters in Iowa.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore