Harrison Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College has sparked controversy, with GLAAD issuing a fact check of his address. The organization criticized Butker’s remarks about women, LGBTQ people, and Catholic values. Butker encouraged graduating women to embrace their “vocations,” such as motherhood, and criticized “the deadly sin sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it.” GLAAD called these remarks “erroneous and dangerous claims” that are out of step with Americans’ views on Pride, LGBTQ rights, and women’s roles in society.
Butker also claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic and other social issues were caused by “bad policies and poor leadership,” which GLAAD disputed. The organization pointed out that many of the problems Butker attributed to “degenerate cultural values and media” are actually supported by a majority of Americans.
GLAAD’s fact-check also took issue with Butker’s assertion that Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, is out of step with traditional Catholic values. The organization stated that Pope Francis has taken more actions than any previous pope in history in support of LGBTQ people and to welcome them into the church.
Butker’s speech has received mixed reactions, with some praising his boldness and others criticizing his views. The full text of Butker’s speech is available online.
