Republican official: Facebook post about 'filthy' homosexuals was 'worth sharing'

A Michigan committeeman with the Republican Party says that he posted an article on Facebook about the "filthy lifestyle" of LGBT people because it was "worth sharing."

Slate's Dave Weigel on Wednesday reported that Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema had used his Facebook page to promote an article by Dr. Frank Joseph titled "Everyone Should Know These Statistics on Homosexuals."

Joseph warns parents that children are "being indoctrinated that homosexuality is just another normal alternative lifestyle."

Included in his so-called "statistics," are claims that "homosexual sexual encounters occur while drunk, high on drugs, or in an orgy setting,... Homosexuals account for half the murders in large cities" and "50% of suicides can be attributed to homosexuals."

"Part of the homosexual agenda is to get the public to affirm their filthy lifestyle," Joseph writes. "Homosexuals aren't discriminated against in employment, so why should they be a protected class?"

Grand Traverse County Republican precinct delegate Dennis Lennox and 20 other Michigan Republicans called for Agema resign in a statement on Wednesday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

"This isn’t about what we believe either politically or as women and men of faith," the group said. “This is about common decency and realizing that you cannot win an election by insulting a wide swath of the electorate, whose votes our Republican Party needs to once again form a national majority.”

In an email to the Free Press on Thursday, Agema accused "liberal Republicans" of casting Joseph's words as his own.

"I think it was a piece worth sharing given the debate over gay marriage that is happening in the Supreme Court," Agema insisted.

"I strongly maintain my position in support of marriage between a man and a woman and I will not back down from my core beliefs in support of strengthening the family," he added.

Zack Pohl, executive director of the liberal group Progress Michigan, released a statement calling Agema "a prime example of a politician sorely out of touch with reality."

"Nobody should have to endure hatred or discrimination based on their sexual orientiaton," Pohl said.

According to the Republican National Committee website, "Agema was elected as the National Committeeman from Michigan in May 2012. He has served as a State Representative in the 74th District of Michigan since 2007 and will serve until the end of 2012."

"He is the President of Sabath House Ministries, a faith-based literacy organization, and a member of the NRA, and the Allied Pilots Association."

[Photo: DaveAgema.com]