A petition created by Faithful America is condemning Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College in Kansas, where he made remarks critical of LGBTQ+ communities and female students. He referred to “dangerous gender ideologies” and suggested that a woman’s most important title should be “homemaker.” The petition, with a goal of 15,000 signatures, calls for Butker to apologize and describes his views as harmful and a distortion of Christian faith. Faithful America argues that LGBTQ+ people and women deserve to celebrate important moments without being insulted and judged.
The petition, which has garnered over 10,000 signatures, asks Butker to apologize for his remarks that offended LGBTQ+ individuals and women. It emphasizes that these groups, as creations in the image of God, should not be subjected to insults or judgment during significant milestones in their lives. Butker’s speech drew criticism on social media for addressing controversial topics such as abortion, IVF, surrogacy, and euthanasia. The NFL clarified that Butker’s views expressed in his personal capacity do not represent the organization’s stance on inclusion. However, nonprofit advocacy group CatholicVote supported Butker, stating that the ideals he highlighted in his speech are not controversial, but are sacred beliefs for many religious believers.
CatholicVote wrote a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt condemning the league’s statement distancing itself from Butker. The group argued that the ideals referenced in Butker’s speech, including the defense of human life and the importance of family and motherhood, are not controversial but remain sacred for millions of religious believers. CatholicVote criticized the NFL’s response, suggesting it raises doubts about the league’s commitment to genuine diversity and inclusion. Butker received a standing ovation for his speech, where he called on Catholics to uphold the high ideals of their faith.
Faithful America, as an organization of Christians supporting social justice causes and opposing Christian nationalism, condemned Butker’s speech as a distortion of Christian faith and harmful in any context. The petition from Faithful America, with thousands of signatures, urges Butker to apologize for his remarks targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and women. The organization emphasizes that all individuals, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, deserve to celebrate important moments in their lives without facing insults or judgment. The controversy surrounding Butker’s speech has sparked debate on social media and prompted responses from both the NFL and nonprofit advocacy groups.
The petition by Faithful America highlights the importance of respecting and honoring the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs. LGBTQ+ people and women should be able to celebrate significant milestones without being subjected to discriminatory or offensive remarks. While Butker’s speech received support from some organizations, it also faced criticism for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and stigmatizing certain groups. The incident underscores the ongoing conversations and debates surrounding inclusivity, diversity, and the role of public figures in addressing sensitive issues. The calls for Butker to apologize reflect a broader societal dialogue on the need for respect, understanding, and compassion towards all individuals.
