Former speaker of
the House Newt Gingrich characterized Prop. 8
protesters as part of a fascist movement in America during
an appearance on The O'Reilly Factor on
November 14. Gingrich, who is also a contributor to
Fox News, was talking to host Bill O'Reilly about the
demonstrations after the election, in which
California voters decided to ban same-sex marriage.
"I think there is
a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants
to impose its will on the rest of us, is prepared to use
violence, to use harassment," he said, according to
video acquired by Media Matters, a watchdog group. "I
think it is prepared to use the government if it can
get control of it. I think that it is a very dangerous
threat to anybody who believes in traditional religion."
Gingrich said
that after Massachusetts opened up marriage to gay couples,
the state "basically [drove] the Catholic Church out of
running adoption services" because the church would
not consider prospective gay parents. (Michelle
Garcia, The Advocate)