An LGBT advocacy group is sending 100 copies of a parody book depicting Vice President Pence’s family bunny as gay to the Christian school where his wife, Karen Pence, teaches.
The Trevor Project, a group dedicated to suicide prevention for LGBT youth, announced in a press release Wednesday that it is sending the book to encourage Immanuel Christian School to accept LGBT students.
“A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” was published by “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver last year.
{mosads}“We know that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth from rejecting families are more than eight times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers,” said Amit Paley, executive director and CEO of the Trevor Project. “We hope Immanuel Christian School will adopt policies of inclusion for LGBTQ young people that make them feel safe, accepted, and loved.”
Pence announced earlier this week that she would begin teaching art at the private elementary school, noting that she was excited to return to the classroom where she taught for more than a decade.
It was reported soon after that the school prohibits LGBT students and faculty and requires employment applicants to sign an agreement that they do not engage in “homosexual or lesbian sexual activity” or “transgender identity.” The application also asks candidates to agree that marriage is between one man and one woman.
Oliver published the spoof children’s book in 2018 after Pence and her daughter Charlotte co-authored a book about the rabbit titled “A Day in the Life of the Vice President.”
Oliver donated proceeds from the book, which he said sold out within days, to the Trevor Project and AIDS United.
Charlotte Pence bought a copy of the book depicting the bunny as gay, saying that she wanted to support the charities.
Vice President Pence has long been viewed as an adversary of the LGBT community and has faced repeated protests and criticisms for his views on gay rights.
As Indiana governor, Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was criticized as opening a door to anti-LGBT discrimination. As a congressman, he also supported a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage.