A state representative has made it onto the radar of a local pro-life agency that, in part, attacked his work for the LGBT community. State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-170th Dist.) has been the target of a smear campaign by the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia. For the past two weekends, supporters of the group have mobilized outside of a number of churches in Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County, the area Boyle represents, distributing fliers to sway potential voters against Boyle. In an email to supporters, Boyle called the group’s material “vile literature” that “personally attacked” both him and his brother, Kevin Boyle, the Democratic representative for the neighboring 172nd District. Among the issues listed on the fliers was the fact that Boyle was a founding member of the state legislature’s new LGBT Equality Caucus, which the Pro-Life Union equated with his “promoting perversion.” “I am, indeed, one of the founding members of the LGBT Equality Caucus,” he said in his memo. “I believe all people, regardless of their orientation, deserve respect, dignity and equality. These extremists want me to be ashamed of this fact. Actually, I am proud of it.” Boyle said the location for the demonstrations was also inappropriate. “These tactics are reprehensible and have no place outside places of worship,” he said. Boyle noted, however, that the Pro-Life Union’s actions were ineffective in changing his own positions. “Whether it is equal rights for gay Americans, women’s health or any other issue, I will continue to vote in accordance with what I believe is right,” he said. “If this right-wing group thinks I’m going to back down because of their tactics, well, they just don’t know me very well.” According to its website, the Pro-Life Union “is dedicated to building a culture of life by promoting the sancity of life and the virtue of chastity,” which it says it accomplishes through “prayer and witness, education, alternatives and public policy” work. The predominantly Catholic-affiliated organization has been in existence for more than three decades and is headquartered in Oreland.
Newsletter Sign-up