Franklin Graham: About My New Gay Bank

"It is true that a local BB&T branch in the Miami area hosted a fundraiser for a program called Legacy Couples, which recognizes same-sex couples who have been in committed relationships for 10 years or more, but the bank did not promote this program through a national advertising campaign (or we would still be looking for another bank). I think there is a difference between being friendly and being a public advocate. By staying at Wells Fargo, we would not only be associating with the promotion of a lifestyle we believe to be wrong, we also would actually be helping to pay for the advertisements by virtue of banking with them — because a bank has no money to advertise with other than the money its customers place in its trust and the interest earned on that money. We simply chose not to continue doing business with a bank that is promoting something that violates our conscience and beliefs." - Franklin Graham, writing for USA Today.

Rachel Maddow Mocks Franklin Graham

"I love this story so much I want to take it to Franklin Graham's new bank and marry it. If it's a lady."

AFA Launches Wells Fargo Boycott

From the American Family Association:

In 2003, AFA warned that Wells Fargo was beginning to show public support for homosexuality. They were one of the first companies in America to do so. In 2005, Dr. James Dobson and Focus on the Family announced it was withdrawing funds from Wells Fargo after the company threw its support behind homosexual activist organizations.In May, 2015, Wells Fargo released a one-minute commercial video featuring two lesbians adopting a little girl. This week, AFA joins Franklin Graham, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, in calling on Christians to close their Wells Fargo bank accounts in support of God’s laws and His standards. If you have an account with Wells Fargo, we urge you to close your account as your way of letting the company know you support God's standards, not theirs. Even if you're not a customer, contact Wells Fargo to show your disapproval of their business practices. We have provided email, phone and social media contact information, including a sample letter.

Here is their suggested email to Wells Fargo: "I stand with American Family Association in opposing the cultural acceptance of homosexuality. Your latest commercial is where I draw the line with your company. God’s plan for marriage and family does not include the promotion of sin. Unfortunately, Wells Fargo has chosen to advance immorality and unhealthy lifestyles. Add me to those who are calling on Wells Fargo customers to close their accounts in support of biblical truth."

Franklin Graham Won't Do Business With Bank That "Promotes Sin" - Moves All Accounts To Bank Sponsoring Gay Pride

Brian Tashman writes at Right Wing Watch:

Graham spoke with Craig James of the Family Research Council, which is cheering on Graham’s announcement, on yesterday’s edition of “Washington Watch,” where he explained that he will be switching to BB&T, another North Carolina-based bank. Graham may not have done much research, as BB&T has received an 80 percent score in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index and this year is the sponsor of the Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade, along with the chief sponsor of Miami Beach Gay Pride’s “Legacy Couples” program, which celebrates same-sex couples in “committed relationships of 10 years or longer.” A bank spokesman said the company hopes to “support the individuals and organizations that broaden our perspectives and strengthen the diverse fabric of our communities. That’s why BB&T is proud to be a part of this day of pride and celebration of the 2015 Legacy Couples.” In fact, BB&T hosted a same-sex couple’s wedding reception earlier this year “in a makeshift chapel at event sponsor BB&T Bank South Beach branch.”

MORE: From a Miami Beach Pride press release:

BB&T Bank, in partnership with Miami Beach Gay Pride, will host a fundraising reception to honor the popular “Legacy Couples” program established during the first Miami Beach Gay Pride in 2009 and held every year since. Legacy Couples are featured guests of the Miami Beach Gay Pride parade and are celebrated for their committed relationships of 10 years or longer. Special guests at the event will be Frank Petrole and Marc Rudick, together for 55 years, and Mary Maguire and Jackie Emmett, together for 53 years. “For more than 140 years, BB&T has supported the goals of our clients, friends and neighbors by sharing financial knowledge and guidance,” said Arthur Costa, BB&T Regional Multicultural Markets Officer. “We also support the individuals and organizations that broaden our perspectives and strengthen the diverse fabric of our communities. That’s why BB&T is proud to be a part of this day of pride and celebration of the 2015 Legacy Couples.”

Tony Perkins Duggar Celebrates Franklin Graham's Call To Boycott Everything Gay

"Wells Fargo may be the first American bank to feature a lesbian ad -- but it may also be the last. The outrage over these in-your-face commercials is finally reaching a boiling point with consumers, who are sick and tired of watching companies pitch agendas over products. American powerhouses like General Mills, Tiffany & Co., Amazon, Starbucks, Tylenol, Target, Nabisco, Alaska Airlines, and even Betty Crocker are tripping over themselves to pander to 2.3% of the buying public with intense LGBT advocacy. Like us, Rev. Franklin Graham has had enough. In response to Wells Fargo's new ad, the son of evangelist Billy Graham is making an enormous withdrawal: his ministry's accounts. On Facebook, Franklin challenged Christians to take a long, hard look at where their money is going. Are your dollars financing the war on your values? If so, maybe it's time to do something about it." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins Duggar, via press release.

Franklin Graham: Boycott Everything Gay

"Have you ever asked yourself–how can we fight the tide of moral decay that is being crammed down our throats by big business, the media, and the gay & lesbian community? Every day it is something else! Tiffany’s started advertising wedding rings for gay couples. Wells Fargo bank is using a same-sex couple in their advertising. And there are more. But it has dawned on me that we don’t have to do business with them. At the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, we are moving our accounts from Wells Fargo to another bank. And guess what—we don’t have to shop at Tiffany & Co., there are plenty of other jewelry stores. This is one way we as Christians can speak out—we have the power of choice. Let’s just stop doing business with those who promote sin and stand against Almighty God’s laws and His standards. Maybe if enough of us do this, it will get their attention. Share this if you agree." - Franklin Graham, posting on his Facebook page. (Tipped by JMG reader Claudio)