Gingrich Back to
Divisive Tactics

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)