Anderson Cooper has joined Ellen Degeneres in opposing Pastor Larry Tomczak's accusation that gay celebrities in Hollywood have an agenda to promote homosexuality through their TV shows.
In an op-ed published by the Christian Post on January 8, Pastor Tomczak called out gay celebrities like Cooper, Degeneres, Jillian Michaels and Terence Howard as part of a supposed concerted effort by Hollywood to promote sexuality.
Tomczak also named popular American shows like Dancing with the Stars, Biggest Loser, and the Modern Family, among others.
Specifically, Tomczak's Christian Post article attacked Cooper for "boast(ing) openly on TV he'd rather 'have sex' with a man".
Tomczak's article concluded that "the indoctrination and propaganda coming from those advocating a gay lifestyle in our country, classrooms and culture are increasing. All of us need to take note and take action to guard those we love."
Similar to DeGeneres, who completely dismissed the suggestion of a gay agenda on her talk show, Cooper used his programme The Ridiculist to raise similar objections to Tomczak's assertions.
"I've never actually been to the secret meeting where the gays plot their agenda, though I imagine the catering is quite amazing," Cooper said.
"But thanks to someone named Larry Tomczak my eyes have been opened. Larry says there's an avalanche sweeping across our society today. It's not a trickle, it's a tsunami," the CNN anchor added.
Cooper said that attempting to go back to the old days where homosexuals were less open, which he described sarcastically as "good times," is not the solution.
The Christian Post quoted Cooper saying: "I don't know what a gay lifestyle is, just like I don't know what a straight lifestyle is. Seems like all the gay people I know, just like all the straight people I know, live all different kinds of lives. I know gay police officers and doctors, gay marines and ministers, even a couple gay TV news anchors, believe it or not."
Ellen insisted during last week's Ellen DeGeneres Show that she does not have a gay agenda.
"My only agenda, Larry, the only way I'm trying to influence people, is to be more kind and compassionate with one another," DeGenerestold the audience. "That is the message I'm sending out. I don't have an agenda, I'm not here to brainwash anyone."
"I don't even know what it means to celebrate my lesbianism. I mean—well, I guess I do, it's like that!" she added, pulling a party popper from her pocket and popping it. "I'm gay!"
