Bigoted pastor James Robison dies. LGBTQ people outlasts another one.

The late religious right pastor James Robison is the latest anti-LGBTQ figure our community has outlasted.

My LGBTQ brothers and sisters, we've outlasted another one.

From USA Today:

Televangelist James Robison, the founder of Life Outreach International, died Sunday, May 17. He was 82. Fort Worth, Texas-based Life Outreach International confirmed Robison's death in a statement posted on X. “James devoted his life to sharing the Gospel and bringing hope, help, and healing to those in need around the world," according to the statement from Life Outreach International's board of directors.

From The Christian Post (by way of JoeMyGod):

Robison was the host of “LIFE Today,” a long-running Christian television program. He helped build LIFE Outreach International into a ministry known for feeding programs, clean-water initiatives, disaster relief and outreach to vulnerable communities worldwide.

 He had spoken publicly throughout his career about being born under difficult circumstances and raised in hardship. Robison had a life-altering encounter with Jesus at age 14 and was called to be an evangelist at 18. According to his website, more than 20 million people have heard him preach throughout his career in ministry. He is survived by his wife, Betty Robison; son Randy; and daughter Rhonda. A daughter, Robin, predeceased him, according to Bunni Pounds, president of Christians Engaged, in a tribute posted to Facebook.

Robison was also a raging homophobe who weaponized Christianity as an excuse to dehumanize LGBTQ people:

 

 

Now some folks are going to condemn what I say and accuse me of being "intolerant" of Robison's opinion and so-called "deeply held religious beliefs."

I personally don't give a damn. Robison had a right to his opinion, but I also have a right to mine. And my opinion is that Robison was a monster who tore at LGBTQ lives while trying to sell us the lie that God hates us for being LGBTQ.

But by no means should anyone think that this post is me gloating over Robison's death. Far from it. This post (just like the ones I wrote after the passing of Jerry Falwell, Rush Limbaugh, Lou Sheldon, James Dobson, and Anita Bryant) is meant to be a reminder to my LGBTQ family that we are still here in spite of all the ugliness, lies and hate thrown at us. 

We're still here, still standing, and still thriving.