Bishop who called marriage equality a ‘Satanic plot’ gives White House Easter blessing

The bishop who delivered the Good Friday Easter blessing at the White House has in the past come under fire for anti-LGBTQ comments.

Bishop Harry Jackson conducted the Easter blessing at the White House on Friday and was introduced by President Trump as a “highly respected gentleman.”

But Jackson has been in the national spotlight for anti-LGBTQ rhetoric throughout the past decade. In 2011, he spoke with the Sons of Liberty Radio and called the push for marriage equality “a Satanic plot.” 

“I especially believe that what we’re dealing with is a Satanic plot to destroy our seed,” he said at the time. “And we have a minority group in a sense that has decided they are going to impose their will on the culture.”

In 2012, the bishop spoke with “Nothing But Truth,” the American Family Association’s radio program, and said gays and lesbians “impose their will on the culture” because they “cannot reproduce [and] may try to recruit.” 

He went on to say that Christians weren’t fighting back “just like during the times of Hitler.”

“The reality is just like during the times of Hitler, we have people coming after one group after another group after another group, and folks are saying, ‘Well this doesn’t affect me’ I’ll let this slide’,” he said.

He also said in 2012 that “We need to steal back the rainbow. We can’t let the gays have it.”

During the Good Friday Easter blessing, Jackson thanked Trump and Vice President Pence for their efforts to combat the coronavirus and “protect our nation.” He praised the two for ensuring that churches got funding in the recent coronavirus stimulus bill passed last month.

“You’ve included the churches in your relief efforts,” Jackson told Trump. “Many churches would have had to close down had it not been for your insightful leadership. So thank you both.”

The bishop prayed for an end to the pandemic, to have the U.S. “come out with a thriving economy” and for the country to “come against the spirit of division.”

Trump called the blessing “beautiful.”

LGBTQ Nation first reported the bishop’s previous comments.