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RNC 2020: Billy Graham's granddaughter Cissie Graham Lynch slammed for 'anti-gay, anti-trans' stance

The Christian leader emphasized on faith and religion during her speech and praised Trump by claiming him to be a 'fierce advocate' of religion in the White House

Cissie Graham Lynch, the daughter of Franklin Graham and the granddaughter of Billy Graham, was one of the speakers on August 25 at the Republican National Convention. She emphasized on faith and religion during her speech.

"As Americans, we know that the first line of the First Amendment protects our freedom of religion. But what we often forget the actual words are "free exercise of religion". That means living out our faith in our daily lives — in our schools, at our jobs, and yes, even in the public square. Our founders did not envision a quiet, hidden faith. They fought to ensure that voices of faith were always welcomed, not silenced. Not bullied," Cissie said at the beginning of her speech.

She pointed out that these freedoms were under attack during the Obama-Biden administration. She claimed, "Democrats tried to make faith organizations pay for abortion-inducing drugs. Democrats tried to force adoption agencies to violate their deeply held beliefs. Democrats pressured schools to allow boys to compete in girls' sports and use girls' locker rooms. Those are the facts."

She praised President Donald Trump by calling him a "fierce advocate” and said, "But then We the People elected Donald Trump, people of faith suddenly had a fierce advocate in the White House. He appointed judges who respect the First Amendment. He supported religious beliefs in court. He ensured religious ministries would not be forced to violate their beliefs. He withdrew the policies that placed our little girls at risk."

Cissie also claimed that Trump became the "first president to talk about the importance of religious freedom at the United Nations, giving hope to people around the world." She attacked the Democrats saying that during the pandemic, "some Democratic leaders banned Church services, while marijuana shops and abortion clinics were declared essential."

She stated that the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration will leave no room for people of faith. She concluded the speech by saying, “So in the words of my grandfather, Billy Graham: ‘Let us stand for political freedom, moral freedom, religious freedom and the rights of all Americans ... and let’s never give in to those who would attempt to take it from us’. Tonight, I’m proudly standing in that public square, and I hope and pray you would join me in voting to re-elect President Trump."

Soon her speech became the topic of discussion on Twitter. A user said, "Cissie Graham Lynch’s speech was filled with anti-trans and anti-gay rhetoric. During a time when trans woman are being shot and killed at a disproportionate rate, this hate speech is deplorable and dangerous. I will keep volunteering with @MomsDemand to #DisarmHate. #RNC2020."

An angry user said, "That Cissie Graham Lynch speech was full of mistruths and hate, all the while claiming to be about God and religious freedom."

One said, "Cissie Graham Lynch going full-on transphobic in this speech, huh? This is who you give a platform? Disgusting. #RNC2020."

A user questioned, " Is it me or are there hints of homophobia in cissie graham lynch’s speech?"

Another stated, "The transphopic and fear mongering hate speech the Cissie Graham Lynch just spewed is shameful. #RNCConvention2020"

Before her speech, Cissie had tweeted: “Over the last four years I have expressed my thankfulness to President Donald Trump and his administration for standing up for and protecting our #ReligiousFreedom. I’m honored to have been asked to stand during the #RNC2020 and share that thanks on the convention stage."

According to a WBTV report, Cissie had grown up in two ministries that her father, Franklin Graham, now leads — the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse. She has worked in both since 2010 and is currently the communications advisor and ministry spokesperson. She is also on the Executive Evangelical Advisory Board of  Trump’s Faith Advisory Council.