WARNING: THE ABOVE VIDEO FEATURES GRAPHIC CONTENT
A disturbing film of a gay man being confronted by his "Christian" family, which was posted to YouTube on Thursday, has sparked a raft of homophobic abuse on the video sharing website.
The post, which has gained more than 2 million views and 20,000 comments, shows a surreptitious phone recording by 20-year-old Daniel Ashley Pierce from Georgia, detailing what appears to be a family intervention by the man’s father, his stepmother and his grandparents.
Pierce told his family he was gay in October, but the confrontation happened on Wednesday, with the video showing the family asserting that the man's sexuality is a choice. The family’s views are revealed to be based on scripture, while Pierce responds by telling them that science says otherwise.
"No, you can believe that if you want to," says the grandmother, "but I believe in the word of God, and God creates nobody that way. It's a path that you have chosen to choose... You go by all the scientific stuff you want to. I'm going by the word of God."
The woman then tells him that as it’s his choice, he needs to move out as she won’t have "people believe that I condone what you do".
Then the stepmother chimes in: "You're full of s**t… You told me on the phone that you made that choice. You know you wasn't born that way. You know damn good and well you made that choice. You know that [your father] has done everything he can to raise you. He didn't need to blame himself."
The dénouement features a man shouting, "You’re a damn queer", during which a fight appears to break out.
Within the YouTube comments section, there is support for Pierce with one poster writing, "This makes me sick and breaks me heart. These f***ing assholes who call themselves parents. How twisted to you have to be to disown your child just because he or she is gay."
Another added: "LOL at all of the ignorant, moronic religious people who have commented on this video. I can't believe people actually still believe in God in 2014."
However, some backed the family: "I support the parents on this one. Being gay or lesbian IS a decision and doesn't have to do ANYTHING with genes, biology or any other bullshit this kid is trying to push into his parents face.”
While other were just abusive: "Did you develop that flamboyant f***ing voice overnight? You CHOSE to talk like a fruit cup"
Another read: "Arrogant little faggot punk".
A third said: "The parents should take pride in know[ing] that this ugly little girl will do absolutely nothing to benefit this world and the little fairy will just flutter through life."