Former celebrity and longtime anti-LGBTQ Christian Fundamentalist Kirk Cameron and his equally loathsome sister Candace Cameron-Bure held a Facebook Live fundraiser titled Hope Rising, the proceeds of which went to fund Samaritan’s Purse.

You remember Samaritan’s Purse. It’s been in the news a lot lately. It was created by homophobic preacher Franklin (son of Billy) Graham, and recently attracted controversy for their tent clinic in New York’s Central Park which requires its volunteers to sign an anti-LGBTQ pledge denouncing marriage equality before helping victims of the coronavirus.

Anyway. Playing on the virtual Facebook stage last night were Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Newsboys, American Idol alum Danny Gokey… oh yeah, and Gloria Gaynor.

via Queerty:

Gaynor, considered a gay icon in large part due to her hit song “I Will Survive,” has attracted criticism for her embrace of anti-LGBTQ fundamentalist Christianity in the past. The singer contends that her personal beliefs, however, welcome and accept queer people.

Hmmmm.

Incidentally, I wonder if Franklin Graham actually even understands the parable of the Good Samaritan. As told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, a Jewish traveler is stripped of his clothing, beaten, and left for dead by the side of the road. Two different men (a priest and a Levite) see him and pass him by without helping. Finally, a Samaritan passes by, and although Samaritans and Jews despised each other, the Samaritan stops and helps, thus becoming “a good Samaritan.”

So it’s a parable about helping people of opposing beliefs. Something Evangelicals like Graham do NOT practice. Ironic but not surprising.

(Photo: MediaPunch)