Fridae

Jerry Falwell, who has been credited for starting the most recent anti-gay movement and turning right-wing Christianity into a political force in the United States, has died on Tuesday. The 73-year-old was found unconscious in his office at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He had a history of congestive heart problems.

The televangelist, who once said that "AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals," had a long history of spewing hate toward the gay community.

Fond of quipping that the Bible referred to "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," Falwell provoked a storm of protest when he said gays, lesbians and health workers who provide abortions were partly to blame for the September 11 attacks.

"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularise America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"

A day later, he apologised for his remarks.

In 1999, Falwell accused the creators of the PBS children's series "Teletubbies" of using the character "Tinky Winky" to promote a homosexual agenda.

Although Falwell was a force among right-wing Christians such as US President George W Bush, he was loathed by the LGBT communities.

In a statement, US President Bush said both he and his wife, Laura, were "deeply saddened" by the loss of a man who "cherished faith, family and freedom."

He is however far from being as fondly remembered by others.

A so-called "anti-memorial" where gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders will speak out about what they say were Falwell's past efforts to demonise the gay community, is being planned in San Francisco's Castro district.

Matt Foreman, executive director of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, extended condolences to those close to Falwell, but added: "Unfortunately, we will always remember him as a founder and leader of America's anti-gay industry, someone who exacerbated the nation's appalling response to the onslaught of the AIDS epidemic, someone who demonised and vilified us for political gain and someone who used religion to divide rather than unite our nation."

In a statement reflecting on Falwell's passing, Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out, said: "It is with great regret that Rev. Jerry Falwell never moderated his position on homosexuality."

"While our hearts go out to his family, we can't help but to reflect on his life and think about all of the families he's torn apart and teenagers that committed suicide because he made them feel inferior. He never missed an opportunity to kick our better angels to the curb and capitalise on our lesser demons to advance his career." Said the Executive Director of the non-profit organisation that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life.