Controversial preacher Franklin Graham, known for his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and praise of Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay laws, is set to lead prayers at Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January in Washington DC.
As reported by the Washington Blade, Graham, president and CEO of the evangelical aid organisation Samaritan’s Purse, also delivered prayers at Trump’s 2017 inauguration. His track record includes inflammatory remarks about LGBTQ+ rights, including calling same-sex marriage a scheme “orchestrated by Satan” and labelling transgender rights as “evil.”
The pastor, ordained in 1982 by Arizona’s Grace Community Church, has previously criticised gay former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, tweeting in 2019: “Mayor Buttigieg says he’s a gay Christian. As a Christian, I believe the Bible, which defines homosexuality as a sin, something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicised.”
Graham has also been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump. He has credited Trump’s leadership as a “big win for Christians, for evangelicals” and praised the former president for “defending religious freedom where the Democrats would not.”
The inauguration lineup has drawn additional controversy, particularly over the inclusion of artists such as country music star Carrie Underwood and the iconic disco group Village People. Underwood, who has previously voiced support for LGBTQ+ rights, faced backlash from fans for her decision to perform. Critics pointed to her 2018 song “Love Wins,” accusing her of hypocrisy, with one fan commenting, “So I guess ‘Love Wins’ was just about pandering. Bye.”
Similarly, the Village People, whose 1978 hit “YMCA” has become a beloved gay anthem, were accused of “selling out” by angry LGBTQ+ fans.
The event is expected to draw several high-profile figures, including Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro, who once called himself a “proud homophobe,” Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ prime minister Viktor Orbán, and Italy’s far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni, known for her socially conservative views.