Update: Agema tries to rally support as GOP, others blast Facebook post

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Dave Agema, a former West Michigan state representative, faces calls for his resignation as Republican National Committeeman after he posted a Facebook article that calls homosexuals "filthy."

Agema, of Grandville, sparked a furor Wednesday after he posted to an article titled "Everyone Should Know These Statistics on Homosexuals" on his Facebook page.

The article, written by a "Frank Joseph, M.D.," purports homosexuals are promiscuous, riddled with sexually transmitted diseases and by and large are substance abusers.

It also alleges gay people are responsible for the spread of the AIDS virus in America, that "many homosexuals admit they are pedophiles" and that they are 100 times more likely to be murdered than "the average person."

The post, which only is viewable to Agema's Facebook friends, prompted swift blowback and calls for his resignation as a Michigan delegate to the Republican National Committee.

Republicans and Democrats both joined the chorus of critics, and even state Republican party leaders appeared to distance themselves from the matter.

This Facebook post by Dave Agema, a Republican National Committeeman for Michigan, has sparked a furor for what critics said is its "anti-gay bigotry." Click link above to enlarge.

Messages seeking comment were left for Agema. He told Lansing-based Gongwer News Service he would not resign, and said critics misconstrued his intent.

"Some publications, and even a few liberal Republicans, have chosen to take the words of someone else and cast them as my own," Agema told Gongwer.

"I think the piece was worth sharing given the debate over gay marriage that is happening in the Supreme Court," he added.

Still, criticism of the post grew louder Thursday morning. Even Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak seemed to distance himself from Agema's post.

"Our party remains in support of traditional marriage but that should never be allowed nor confused with any form of hate or discrimination toward anyone," Schostak said in a statement.

"Any statement or message in contrast undermines our party's platform and our common sense conservative message," he added.

What's more, a coalition of young Republicans from across the state issued a statement calling Agema's post "deplorable," and calling for his resignation.

The group includes state party precinct delegates, activists and College Republican leaders, and bills itself as the "next generation of Michigan Repubicans."

"We do not have the confidence in Mr. Agema representing the best interests of our fellow Michigan Republicans," the statement read, "and as a result ask him to resign from his seat on the Republican National Committee."

Agema's post was picked up by a handful of national media outlets, and prompted GOProud, a national gay Republican group, to condemn Agema's "anti-gay bigotry."

"Conservatives in Michigan get it," GOProud Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia said in a statement. "They understand that while we can disagree on issues like marriage, our movement and our party cannot and should not tolerate rank anti-gay bigotry."

"When we fail to stand up to the bigotry displayed by people like Dave Agema, we give the left the opportunity to smear all conservatives and Republicans," LaSalvia said.

Liberal group Progress Michigan also weighed in, castigating Agema for being "a prime example of a politician sorely out of touch with reality."

"Nobody should have to endure hatred or discrimination based on their sexual orientiaton," Progress Michigan Executive Director Zack Pohl said in a statement, "especially not from politicians and public officials."

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