SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield News-Leader has now re-confirmed that the anti-gay letter was, in fact, written by Brad Pitt’s mother, posting: "Editor’s note: To clear up earlier confusion, the News-Leader has verified the letter writer is the mother of actor Brad Pitt and local businessman Doug Pitt."
Actor and human rights advocate Brad Pitt’s mother has penned an anti-gay editorial that appeared in The Springfield News-Leader on Tuesday, July 3.
The international celebrity grew up in Springfield, and his family still resides in the area.
Vital VOICE on Thursday confirmed from News-Leader reporters that Pitt’s mother authored the letter, published under “Reader’s Letters.” Jane Pitt wrote in response to a previously published letter to the editor titled “Vote for Mormons Against Beliefs.” She writes:
"I have given much thought to Richard Stoecker’s letter (“Vote for Mormon against beliefs,” June 15). I am also a Christian and differ with the Mormon religion.
But I think any Christian should spend much time in prayer before refusing to vote for a family man with high morals, business experience, who is against abortion, and shares Christian conviction concerning homosexuality just because he is a Mormon.
Any Christian who does not vote or writes in a name is casting a vote for Romney’s opponent, Barack Hussein Obama — a man who sat in Jeremiah Wright’s church for years, did not hold a public ceremony to mark the National Day of Prayer, and is a liberal who supports the killing of unborn babies and same-sex marriage.
I hope all Christians give their vote prayerful consideration because voting is a sacred privilege and a serious responsibility."
Brad Pitt and his wife Angelina Jolie have been longtime supporters of LGBT rights, including marriage equality.
“It’s great that Brad Pitt has been able to learn and grow from his experiences once he left the area,” said A.J. Bockelman, Executive Director of PROMO – Missouri’s statewide LGBT advocacy organization. “But for folks still living in Southwest Missouri, this sends a message that we are not a very tolerant state.”
NOTE: It remains unclear why the New-Leader originally retracted its earlier confirmation, only to now verify that the letter was written by the actor’s mother. Our media partner LGBTQNation has been in contact with an Editor at the News-Leader, but were offered no explanation. We regret the confusion caused by the News-Leader’s earlier retraction.
BY COLIN MURPHY - EDITOR
