Anti-gay pastor removed from inaugural program

Jonathan Karl, from ABC News, just tweeted that the White House has removed anti-gay Rev. Louis Giglio from the inaugural program after it was discovered that he has delivered anti-gay sermons in the past.

Karl reported that an inaugural source said "Giglio pulled himself out when he realized this was going to be a distraction."

Think Progress has a statement from Giglio:

Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.

Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President’s invitation. I will continue to pray regularly for the President, and urge the nation to do so. I will most certainly pray for him on Inauguration Day. Our nation is deeply divided and hurting, and more than ever need God’s grace and mercy in our time of need.