The actor says he's pro-gay rights, so why is he speaking to a group that fights against them?

Actor Dean Cain says he is pro-gay rights, but is scheduled to speak at the annual Values Voter Summit, hosted by the far-right anti-LGBTQ Christian lobbying group the Family Research Council.

In a series of tweets, GLAAD took him to task for this apparent inconsistency, laying out the various ways you can’t call yourself an ally while speaking to one of the most anti-queer groups operating in the country today.

@RealDeanCain – We know that you’ve professed your support for LGBTQ people in the past, so why are you speaking at an event hosted by the anti-LGBTQ activists at @FRCdc? #VVS18 — GLAAD (@glaad) September 20, 2018

FRC’s president @tperkins has said this about gay people: “They are intolerant. They are hateful. They are vile. They are spiteful"…"pawns" of the "enemy.” More on him here: https://t.co/3iTS2UMQfi — GLAAD (@glaad) September 20, 2018

FRC actively supports so-called “conversion therapy.” Their senior fellow @spriggfrc has testified in support of it in New Hampshire, Washington DC, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Just look at his recent tweets: https://t.co/SVWeOhUp0y — GLAAD (@glaad) September 20, 2018

You’ll even be rubbing shoulders with “conversion therapy” activists if you go to #VVS18. https://t.co/gQrYTDQDmX — GLAAD (@glaad) September 20, 2018

Here’s just a peak at the anti-LGBTQ panels that #VVS18 has in store for this year. pic.twitter.com/dzmKvO3OE9 — GLAAD (@glaad) September 20, 2018

Here’s the thing, @RealDeanCain: Allies should not turn a blind eye to the people, groups, and rhetoric that propel this event. There is no event on the calendar that is more rabidly against LGBTQ people and our rights. #VVS18 — GLAAD (@glaad) September 20, 2018

Cain responded, saying he hoped he would be asked about his stance on gay rights, as well as the fact that he is pro-choice.

I hope they ask me about my support for gay rights, and the fact that I’m pro-choice. I’m happy to have that conversation. — Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) September 20, 2018

While his being pro-choice might come up, seeing as he is going there to promote his movie Gosnell, about a former doctor convicted of murdering three infants when they were born alive during failed abortion procedures, it’s harder to imagine they will give him a platform to espouse any pro-gay views.

So GLAAD again pressed him on the issue.

Dean, we hope you will not wait to be asked but will proactively challenge FRC on their anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and record. https://t.co/RF5qanWvLr — GLAAD (@glaad) September 20, 2018

Cain then seemed to grow defensive, and backed away from GLAAD’s challenge.

I’m not there to do anything other than discuss the film, GOSNELL. And I’m pro-choice. That will probably take-up the bulk of the time. I’m not there to preach or to lecture—I hope they ask about my support for gay rights. I haven’t studied their record. — Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) September 20, 2018

I’m speaking there. And I support gay rights. And I’m pro-choice until viability. End of story. — Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) September 20, 2018

He also answered others who challenged him on Twitter, arguing that his being there would be a positive for the community, because it could create dialogue. That said, he still wouldn’t commit to pushing for said dialogue to occur. Rather, he will wait to see if they bring it up.

It’s not a speaking gig. It’s press for a film. And you should be happy I’m speaking to them—especially if they don’t support gay rights, and I do. I’ll be fighting on your side—how is that a negative? Dialogue, people, dialogue— — Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) September 20, 2018

Sorry, Matt. I’ll do as I please. Speak where I please, and say what I please. My support for gay rights isn’t predicated on what you want me to do. Do not lecture me. Only warning. — Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) September 20, 2018

Journalist and podcaster Matt Baume asked him why he wouldn’t openly oppose FRC, to which he said he hadn’t researched them, so he wasn’t in a position to do so. Despite the fact that he had just been educated by GLAAD, and had plenty of time ahead of tomorrow’s event to do some reading, it would seem, if he has time to go back and forth with his critics on social media.

I would need to study their work before opposing any group. I haven’t done that in this case- still doesn’t change my support for gay rights. — Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) September 20, 2018

The Voter Values Summit, which will take place today through September 23 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., will also feature a speech by Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday, making him the first sitting VP to speak at the event for FRC, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has named a hate group. Cain will speak tonight, along with co-star AlonZo Rachel and director Nick Searcy.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Last year, President Trump became the first president to do so. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has also spoken to the organization, telling them they weren’t a hate group, despite their efforts to stop the progress of LGBTQ rights.

UPDATE:

Cain did not make any statements in support of gay rights, it seems, but did take time to complain of hearing about his decision to speak to the virulently anti-LGBTQ group on Twitter.

“It’s funny, because just the fact that I’m here, just the fact that I’m here, people were blowing me up all day long with the most ridiculous things you could ever hear,” he said.

“You know, talk about tolerance, it’s just ridiculous. I take heat. It doesn’t bother me, I welcome it, because I sleep well at night and know I’m doing something that matches my convictions and my heart, and I’ll happily defend the things that I say and the things that I stand for.”