NOM Rhode Island Director Shrugs Off Card's Extremism

EDGE has an interesting interview with Christopher Plante, Executive Director of the National Organization for Marriage's Rhode Island chapter, discussing his perspective on NOM’s mission in the state, as well nationwide.

During the conversation, EDGE's Joe Siegel asked Plante what he thought about NOM board member Orson Scott Card, who has stated that "many homosexuals first entered into that world through a disturbing seduction or rape or molestation or abuse" and his vow last year that, should Proposition 8 fail in California, he would "act to destroy that government and bring it down so it can be replaced with a government that will respect and support marriage." 

Plante's reponse was telling: 

For his part, Plante says he was unaware of Card’s involvement with NOM and denied that NOM is a hate group. "I don’t believe that at all," Plante said. "Do I think that there are extreme people on both sides of the movement that can say hateful things? Absolutely. NOM is here to defend marriage, to protect it, and to encourage it."

Of course there are extremists on both sides of the debate ... and one of them happens to serve on the Board of the leading anti-marriage organzation in the nation by whom Plante just so happens to be employed.

As far as we are aware, NOM has steadfastly refused to comment on Card's connection to the organization, and if this is the best response anyone affiliated with them has been able to come up with, it's pretty obvious why.