Superman star Dean Cain hits out at ‘intolerant’ LGBT activists
Dean Cain as Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (ABC)
Superman star Dean Cain addressed a listed anti-LGBT hate group last week, speaking out about LGBT+ activists who had encouraged him not to attend.
The actor, who played Superman in the popular 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, made an appearance at the Family Research Council’s Voter Values Summit on Friday.
The Family Research Council is listed as an anti-LGBT hate group by the anti-extremism watchdog the Southern Poverty Law Center because of its extreme views. FRC president Tony Perkins has been condemned by the Jewish Anti-Defamation League for repeatedly linking gay rights to the Holocaust and comparing gay people to Nazis, while last year’s event promoted a book titled “The Hazards of Homosexuality.”
Dean Cain as Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (ABC)
Cain clashed with GLAAD and other LGBT+ rights activists over his plans to speak at the event, hitting out at their “intolerance” on stage after dismissing criticism on Twitter.
GLAAD had attempted to dissuade him from attending, tweeting: “Dean Cain – We know that you’ve professed your support for LGBTQ people in the past, so why are you speaking at an event hosted by the anti-LGBTQ activists at FRC?
“FRC’s president @tperkins has said this about gay people: ‘They are intolerant. They are hateful. They are vile. They are spiteful’…’pawns’ of the ‘enemy.’ You’ll even be rubbing shoulders with ‘conversion therapy’ activists if you go to #VVS18.
“Allies should not turn a blind eye to the people, groups, and rhetoric that propel this event. There is no event on the calendar that is more rabidly against LGBTQ people and our rights.”
Cain shot back: “I’m not there to do anything other than discuss [my] film, GOSNELL.”
He added: “I don’t know the views of this specific group—I’m doing a press junket for a film. GOSNELL. Im speaking to MANY different groups tomorrow. I’m there to discuss the film and answer questions. I HOPE they ask me questions about my support for gay rights.”
Despite repeated attempts by activists to warn him that the appearance was far from a usual press junket event, Cain insisted he was right to attend.
Dean Cain as Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (ABC)
Speaking at the event, Cain responded to the LGBT activists who had challenged him.
He said (via The Advocate): “Just the fact that I’m here, people were blowing up at me all day long, with the most ridiculous things you could ever [hear]. Talk about tolerance, it’s ridiculous.
“It doesn’t bother me, I welcome it, and I sleep well at night knowing I’m doing something that matches my convictions and my heart.”
The actor has long been an outspoken supporter of the Trump administration, but claims to be a supporter of LGBT+ rights.
His film is about Kermit Gosnell, a former abortion provider who was convicted with murdering babies who had survived attempted late-term abortions.
The controversial film has been embraced by evangelical hardliners who oppose all abortion provision, though Cain himself says he is “pro-choice.”
The event was also attended by Vice President Mike Pence.
Other attendees listed in the 2018 line-up have expressed extreme anti-LGBT views.
These include ‘The Activist Mommy’ blogger Elizabeth Johnston, who claims LGBT+ groups “sneak into schools” to “rape the minds of our children,” internet pastor Lance Wallnau, who believes homosexuality can be cured with cake baking, and conservative commentator Star Parker, who has claimed that the B in LGBTQ actually stands for bestiality.
