Outward

Franklin Graham Boycotts Gay-Friendly Bank, Moves to Bank That Hosted Gay Pride Fundraiser

Franklin Graham in 2006.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

On Friday, Franklin Graham—the conservative evangelical who admires Vladimir Putin and opposes LGBTQ rights—noticed that Wells Fargo ran a commercial featuring a lesbian family. Graham quickly took to Facebook to decry “the tide of moral decay that is being crammed down our throats by big business” and announced that he would move the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s accounts “from Wells Fargo to another bank.”

That other bank is BB&T—which recently hosted a gay pride fundraiser in Miami Beach, honoring two longtime same-sex couples. The fundraiser also celebrated other long-committed “legacy couples.” At the time, BB&T Regional Multicultural Markets Officer Arthur Costa explained:

For more than 140 years, BB&T has supported the goals of our clients, friends and neighbors by sharing financial knowledge and guidance. We also support the individuals and organizations that broaden our perspectives and strengthen the diverse fabric of our communities. That’s why BB&T is proud to be a part of this day of pride and celebration of the 2015 Legacy Couples.

The reception featured complimentary cocktails courtesy of Pinnacle Vodka, which sponsors pride events in Miami and other cities. And the pride event wasn’t out of character for BB&T: The bank currently boasts a fairly high 80 ranking on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.

I hate to be the one to break this news to Graham, but he’s going to have an extremely difficult time finding a bank that is both trustworthy and anti-gay. As I explained last year, Wall Street is, on the whole, ridiculously pro-LGBTQ, a fabulously shimmering beacon of sexual diversity and workplace equality. Most major banks are outspoken about their support for LGBTQ people and their families; tolerance is both good morality and good business. The banks that still oppose LGBTQ rights aren’t usually the kind of banks you want to put your money in. It’s easy for Graham to rail against “promot[ing] sin” in a Facebook post. Now we’ll see if he keeps his word when his money’s on the line.