News

By Kathleen Gilbert 

GREENBELT, Maryland, June 12, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pro-family advocates are charging The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with having gone “completely-off mission” with its decision to officially promote homosexual rights.

NASA headquarters issued a press release Monday declaring that the space-faring organization would participate in, and encourage celebration of, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month declared by President Obama.

“LGBT Pride Month is a reflection of NASA's commitment to inclusiveness across the broad spectrum of our workforce,” said NASA's Acting Administrator Christopher J. Scolese. ”NASA strives to be a model employer by ensuring it adheres to the principles of inclusion. These principles include fairness and respect for the many different backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences of our employees.”

The release pointed out two active homosexuals involved with NASA who “have made important contributions that we all have benefitted from.”

“I encourage you to participate in the programs and activities planned at your NASA center in your community for LGBT Pride Month,” said Scolese. 

“If there aren't yet planned events at your center, I encourage you to organize one. Take time to learn about the contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans, and celebrate the diversity that has helped shape and strengthen NASA and our nation.”

John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, called NASA's celebration of homosexuality “completely off-mission.”

“Promotions of specific sexual orientations over others clearly is outside of NASA's mission and is being paid for by taxpayers’ dollars,” Stemberger told the Catholic News Agency. “NASA should be for advancing scientific space research objectives, not engaging in homosexual activism.”