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The vice president, who has taken multiple anti-LGBT positions over the years, has been personally invited to watch the show that follows a lesbian girl’s efforts to take her girlfriend to prom in Indiana. In fact, the location was specifically chosen because it is Pence’s home state, according toThe Prom‘s co-writer and lyricist Chad Beguelin.
Explaining the reasoning for wanting Pence, who is not known to be a supporter of LGBTQ rights, to come see the show, Beguelin revealed toNBC Newsthat the former Indiana governor was a source of inspiration inThe Prom‘s core message.
“I think you really need to come and seeThe Prom, and also, we set it in Indiana because of you,” he said in the invitation to Pence.
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During his political career, Pence has taken multipleanti-LGBT stances,including signing Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which opponents argued allowed discrimination against LGBT people; saying gay couples would cause “societal collapse;” opposing the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; and rejecting the Obama administration directive on transgender bathrooms.
“Our show isn’t about ostracizing people. Our show is not about telling people, ‘You are wrong.’ Again, it’s about listening and empathy and accepting, and so my invite [to Pence] would just be like, ‘Listen to our show. It’s about love,’ ” shared Beguelin, who is openly gay.
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“We get so many people that after the show come up to us and say, ‘You changed my point of view.’ There are some people that are like, ‘I was that homophobic parent, and I didn’t know what the show is about, and now I’ve really got to sort of reexamine my point of view,’ ” he added.
It has yet to be determined whether or not Pence will acceptThe Prom‘s invitation.
source: people.com
