'Like most Americans, it seems Reverend Falwell has reached the conclusion that everyone deserves basic rights,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign thanked the Rev. Jerry Falwell for supporting the rights of gays and lesbians on a primetime television appearance on Aug. 5, 2005. On MSNBC's "The Situation," Falwell said, "But civil - civil rights for all Americans, black, white, red, yellow, the rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight, et cetera, is not a liberal or a conservative value. It's an American value that I would think that we pretty much all agree on."

"Like most Americans, it seems Reverend Falwell has reached the conclusion that everyone deserves basic rights," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "In recognizing his support, I also hope he supports legislation that would deliver on these values."

When asked by host Tucker Carlson if "conservatives are always arguing against special rights for gays," Falwell responded, "Well, housing and employment are not special rights. I think - I think the right to live somewhere and to live where you please or to work where you please, as long as you're not bothering anybody else, is a basic right, not a - not a special right."

Solmonese sent a letter to Falwell on Aug. 9, 2005, thanking him for his support. Text of the letter appears below:

Dear Rev. Jerry Falwell,

I'm writing to thank you for supporting equal rights for gays and lesbians on primetime television. On Aug. 5, you told Tucker Carlson on MSNBC's "The Situation":

"But civil - civil rights for all Americans, black, white, red, yellow, the rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight, et cetera, is not a liberal or a conservative value. It's an American value that I would think that we pretty much all agree on."
Even when Mr. Carlson said he "thought conservatives are always arguing against special rights for gays," you responded with a strong statement of support, saying:

"Well, housing and employment are not special rights. I think - I think the right to live somewhere and to live where you please or to work where you please, as long as you're not bothering anybody else, is a basic right, not a - not a special right."

Rev. Falwell, it was inevitable that we would reach a common ground and we have. I agree that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans should never be discriminated against because of who they are.

The Human Rights Campaign lobbies Congress for a federal law that would ensure no American is discriminated against in the workplace because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

You spoke with passion for the civil rights of all Americans - regardless of if they're gay or straight. Thank you. Fairness is something that we should all agree on so in many ways this was no surprise. One day, I hope you'll even join me on a trip to Capitol Hill to argue for this basic right.

Sincerely,



HRC President Joe Solmonese

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.