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Dungy proudly
announces opposition to gay marriage
By
Cyd Zeigler jr.
After weeks
of
dodging questions, Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony
Dungy finally publicly acknowledged his opposition to
same-sex marriage and his support of an anti-gay
organization’s efforts to suppress gay rights, in a speech
Tuesday at an annual fund-raising dinner for the Indiana
Family Institute. The IFI is one of the leading proponents
of an Indiana state constitutional amendment banning
same-sex marriage, SJR-7.
"I
appreciate the stance they're taking, and I embrace that
stance," Dungy said, according to the Indianapolis Star. "IFI
is saying what the Lord says. You can take that and make
your decision on which way you want to be. I'm on the Lord's
side."
Dungy did
not specifically detail his opposition to other gay rights.
However, his "I'm on the Lord's side" statement and support
of a same-sex marriage ban will give many reason to believe
he opposes gay rights of any kind and that he would not
support having a gay player on his team.
The annual
fundraising dinner is the organization’s largest of the
year. Past dinners have attracted around 400 donors; Dungy’s
appearance, just six weeks after his Super Bowl victory,
drew 700 people, more than IFI had ever had before.
According to the Indianapolis Star, the event raised over
$70,000 for the group’s efforts to fight gay rights.
Since
Bilerico.com,
an Indiana-based gay blog, first reported Dungy’s upcoming
appearance a week before the Super Bowl, Dungy has refused
to answer any questions about IFI or his position on gay
issues.
Earlier
Tuesday, the Indiana state legislature recognized the Colts
and Dungy. “You're not only a great team but you're great
people," House Speaker Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said,
according to the Associated Press.
Dungy’s
Christian faith has been a constant theme in his coaching.
He has been praised by many for is strong character and
faith in God, and his willingness to instill that religious
belief in his team. He repeatedly praised God for his team’s
success in its Super Bowl run, saying after his team’s
championship victory,
"The
Lord orchestrated this.”
There is
a hearing on SJR-7 scheduled for today.
March 21,
2007 |
