http://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2016/08/rubio-preaches-love-of-lgbt-neighbors-at-controversial-meeting-with-pastors-stands-firm-against-same-sex-marriage-104697Rubio tells pastors 'our LGBT neighbors' should be loved, but still opposes same-sex marriage
By Daniel Ducassi
08/12/16 02:25 PM EDT
TALLAHASSEE — Amid criticism of his attendance at what LGBT advocates have dubbed an “anti-LGBT rally,” U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio told a conference of pastors in Orlando on Friday that Jesus teaches that “our LGBT neighbors” should not be judged, but loved.
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Abandoning judgment and loving our LGBT neighbors is not a betrayal of what the Bible teaches, it is a fulfillment of it. Jesus showed us how to do this,” Rubio said, recounting the story of Jesus saving an "adulterous woman” from being stoned.
Rubio, in a speech laced with New Testament references, did not, however, back down from his position against same-sex marriage.
“I know what some of you are thinking,” Rubio said to the pastors. “That even if you speak of respect and dignity for all, if you do not accept a new definition of marriage, some are still going to try to shame you and silence you. They’re still going to call you a ‘bigot' and a 'hater.’ Yes, probably some will, and yet we must still love our neighbor.”
Rubio said traditional marriage between one man and one women "deserves to be elevated and set apart in our laws.”
The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage nationwide last year when it ruled that the U.S. Constitution bars states from denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
"To love our neighbors in the LGBT community, we should recognize that even as we stand firm in the belief that marriage is the union between one man and one woman, there are those in that community and in same-sex relationships whose love for one another is real, and who feel angry and humiliated that the law did not recognize their relationship as a marriage."
LGBT advocacy groups have slammed Rubio in recent days for attending the pastors' conference.
They note that sponsors of the event, the Liberty Counsel and American Family Association have been labeled as anti-LGBT hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“Marco Rubio’s participation in an Orlando anti-LGBT rally further demonstrates why Floridians can’t trust his leadership,” said Democratic state Rep. David Richardson, the only openly gay member of the Legislature. “Senator Rubio is using his national profile to legitimize activists who promote inequality, and he continues to ‘double down’ on his support for discrimination against the LGBT community."
Terry Fleming, president of the Florida LGBTQ Democratic Caucus, penned an op-ed in TIME magazine blasting Rubio for speaking to the group on the two-month anniversary of the massacre at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. Forty-nine people were killed in the attack.
"Rubio’s company isn’t surprising considering he has actively advocated against the rights of gay Americans,” Fleming wrote. "He has opposed the rights of gay Americans to get married or adopt children. He has embraced support from the leader of a group that promotes dangerous conversion therapy for LGBT youth, and voted against providing basic workplace discrimination protection for employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. While the LGBT community was grieving, Rubio used the tragedy as an opportunity to run for reelection.”
LGBTQ advocates held a rally on Thursday to protest Rubio’s attendance at the conference, as well as that of Donald Trump.
“I wonder if Marco Rubio or Donald Trump have ever lost a family member to a hate crime,” Celia Cruz, the sister of one of the Pulse victims, said at the rally, "I wonder if they know the pain that comes from losing a family member in this manner. If they knew this pain … I doubt Marco Rubio and Donald Trump would be promoting this conference, promoting intolerance and hate.”
