'Growing Pains' star Tracey Gold speaks out for equality after TV brother Kirk Cameron attacks LGBT community

‘Growing Pains’ co-star Tracey Gold, made famous by her portrayal of Carol Anne Seaver on the 1980s classic, spoke out in support of equality on Sunday after her TV brother and fallen teen idol Kirk Cameron told CNN’s Piers Morgan that being gay is “unnatural,” “detrimental” and “ultimately destructive to so many of the foundations of civilization.”

On Twitter, Gold posted "I am a strong supporter of the #LGBT Community, and I believe in equal rights for all. #NOH8 #LOVE":

Gold also changed her Twitter profile picture to a shot of her participating in the “NO H8” campaign, a photo project in support of LGBT equality.

Click here to join Gold in standing up against Cameron's anti-gay statements.

During his CNN interview, Cameron also spoke out against marriage equality:

"Marriage is almost as old as dirt, and it was defined in the garden between Adam and Eve. One man, one woman for life till death do you part. So I would never attempt to try to redefine marriage. And I don't think anyone else should either," explains Cameron. "So do I support the idea of gay marriage? No, I don't."

GLAAD spokesperson Herndon Graddick addressed GLAAD’s ‘Where Are They Now’ campaign: “Cameron has the right to share his views, but as a result of GLAAD’s work, people of faith who support LGBT people are making sure their voices are louder. Thousands have shared the campaign and spoken out against Cameron’s remarks.”

Take action with Change.org here.

More and more religious communities are embracing their LGBT brothers and sisters. Christian denominations including the Metropolitan Community Church, United Church of Christ, and Unity Fellowship have been fully inclusive for decades, while the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and several others have more recently embraced LGBT people.

Similarly, a growing majority of Americans now believe that every committed couple should be able to marry the person they love. Five 2011 polls found that most Americans favor marriage equality, including a May 2011 Gallup poll which showed that 53% of respondents believed that marriages between lesbian and gay couples should be “recognized by the law as valid.”

“Despite what Kirk Cameron said on CNN's Piers Morgan program, being gay is not unnatural, detrimental, or destructive to the foundation of civilization,” said Todd Ferrell, President of The Evangelical Network. "The church in large is part of the problem but has great potential to be a part of the solution.  The church and Christianity have gotten off track by over emphasizing religious legalism and under emphasizing a relationship with God. They also are simply out of touch with where America is on equality.  Churches across America are seeing lower attendance and much of this has been attributed to their non-stop preaching against gays and lesbians.”

“Kirk Cameron’s statements are not only out-of-touch with the beliefs of most Americans, they contribute to a climate of hostility and falsely suggest that communities of faith are not accepting of LGBT people,” said GLAAD’s Herndon Graddick.

Tell Kirk Cameron it’s time to grow up here.

GLAAD is proud to work with several faith organizations that embrace and welcome LGBT people. Please visit any of the following organizations to learn more about their faithful support of LGBT people:
Gay Christian Network
Institute for Welcoming Resources
The Evangelical Network
Metropolitan Community Church
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
Dignity USA (Catholic)
Integrity (Episcopal)
Lutherans Concerned/North America
Reconciling Ministries Network (Methodist)
Room For All (Reformed Church in America)
Soulforce
The Fellowship
Unity Fellowship

Tags: