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Get Equal Now Sends American Family Association A Cease And Desist Order

07/25/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
C.D. Kirven co-founder of Get Equal Now has taken a novel step in going after Tim Wildmon, the President of the American Family Association by getting a cease and desist order issued against him. The order is a first step towards suing the organization for defamation of character. Wildmon, who took over for his father Reverend Donald Wildmon, has called for a boycott against Home Depot. Recently, Home Depot celebrated Pride with special gatherings, including several activities intended for children.

According to the letter:

“I’m seriously concerned about the physical welfare of our childre because of your written and verbal harassment of the LGBT Community. One example of your successful intimidation tactics was American Family Association’s Boycott of the Ford Company in 2005 to 2008. Now you are leading an intimidation campaign against Home Depot.

“In protection of our families and our children, I’m serving American Family Association with a cease and desist order. If this intimidating, manipulative and high-pressure tactics do not stop then we will take the responsibility upon ourselves to protect that right by suing your organization for defamation. The constant attacks of the LGBT community and AFA’s fear mongering has to stop. You promote the damage your organization done to my community and those impatc lead to hate crimes, teen suicides and isolation of the LGBT community. This order demands that you stop the verbal abuse of our community on radio, television and in print.”

Kirven offered this statement regarding this particular statement regarding the cease and desist order:

“I’ve sent Tim Wildmon – President of American Family Association a notarized cease and desist order filed with police and sent a copy to U.S. Justice Department. Mr. Wildmon – Why you so obsessed with the LGBT community? It’s the over 70% divorce rate that needs your organization’s attention but instead you blame my community for an issue where we have limited marriage rights in a hand full of states. The LGBT community has quietly endured AFA’s attacks for over 10 years. If AFA does not stop their harassment of our allies and defamation of the LGBT community, then we will take legal action. The cease and desist order was mailed priority mail on Friday and AFA affiliates via email. We have lawyers ready to take our defamation case. AFA can no longer demand businesses adopt their personal religious beliefs but the LGBT community does have the right to live free of harassment and our allies have the right to operate their business free of intimidation. AFA’s malicious lies about LGBT people has caused unmeasurable damage and organizations like the National Organization of Marriage are also guilty of harassing our community. We are feed up and is why we have begun to counter rally their hate bus tour. The cease & desist order is also in memory of Todd Ransom and thousands like him who are innocent victims of religious persecution promoted by intolerant groups like AFA. Get Equal Now is going to be the voice of those who are too young or those who can no longer speak for themselves. If the Tea party can threaten to sue the NAACP for defamation, the LGBT community has the same right. Also, this is our fight not our allies and Home Depot did the right thing by supporting diverse famiiles so it’s our turn to return the favor when they are under attack by AFA so please sign the appreciation letter.”

Here is the text of the petition/letter to home Depot. It can be signed here.

Petition Text
Thank you for your support of our families!

Greetings,

Dear Mr. Blake and Ms. Woodling:

Good afternoon! The LGBTQ community is sending Home Depot a love letter!

Thank you for your generosity and support of the LGBT community. Your commitment to helping all children and diverse families in the community should be the example instead of the exception. Your acts of kindness leave a positive impact on our community and our lives! But most importantly, those who benefit from your generosity are — our children – that are a huge part of LGBT families.

You are appreciated!

Sincerely,

LGBT Community

[Your name]

The order was cent via priority mail.

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