Florida Republican gay group uses image of dead US ambassador in campaign ad
A Florida chapter of the pro-gay Log Cabin Republicans has been roundly condemned for reportedly using an image of a dead US ambassador in a pitch to LGBT voters to support the Republican Party.
Ambassador Chris Stevens died in Libya along with three other US officials in an attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi last month.
According to the Think Progress website, the advert by Broward County Log Cabin Republicans has been published in the Florida Agenda, an LGBT publication.
The advert also insinuates right-wing conservative blog rumours that Ambassador Stevens was gay – despite no proof to-date.
Under the title “Where is the Outrage now?” the advert states: “If the Obama Administration isn’t going to protect gay/gay-friendly American citizens from the terror of Islamic radicalism, what makes you think they will protect us from Shariah Law…ANYWHERE?”
The advert urges LGBT voters to choose the Republican Party in order to “support Israel.”
It shows an image of Mr Stevens directly after the attack, which has already circulated online, of his body being carried by a group of individuals – reportedly to a hospital for treatment.
In a statement Jerame Davis, executive director of National Stonewall Democrats said: “The Log Cabin Republicans of Florida have cravenly disrespected the life and legacy of a United States civil servant with this ad.
“Put bluntly, they have crossed the line of civil discourse and good taste by including an image of the corpse of slain US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens being carried through the streets of Benghazi, Libya”.
Log Cabin Republican Executive Director Clarke Cooper also condemned the advert: “This ad does not represent the position of Log Cabin Republicans, and we reject it completely”.
He added: “There are plenty of reasons to vote Republican on protecting US interests abroad, but such an ad is fallacious, simple minded and irresponsible.”
