Ken Ham wants ark light display to 'take the rainbow back'

Lights from every color in the rainbow bathe the giant model of Noah's Ark in Northern Kentucky this Christmas.

But the holiday light display at the Ark Encounter in Grant County isn't just meant to be aesthetically pleasing. Answers in Genesis President Ken Ham made sure to add some political and social commentary to the ark's light display.

In a post on the Answers in Genesis website this week, Ham said Christians need to take the rainbow back. He bemoaned how it's become a symbol for the gay rights movement.

He said the rainbow should not symbolize "freedom, love, pride or the LGBTQ movement," but rather God's covenant with Noah.

"Sadly, people ignore what God intended the rainbow to represent and proudly wave rainbow-colored flags in defiance of God's command and design for marriage," Ham wrote.   "As Christians, we need to take the rainbow back and teach our young people its true meaning."

Ham, in his holiday missive, warned people of God's impending judgment, this time not with water, but with fire. He then closed by urging people to visit the Ark Encounter and to take "advantage of the special pricing this month" after 5 p.m.

LGBTQ organizations reacted with a mix of frustration and humor to the ark's holiday light display.

Josh Wagoner, co-chairman of  Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Greater Cincinnati, said he rolls his eyes when he hearsevangelical criticism of the gay community, but worried how Ham's message could affect younger people. He wants young people to realize that no matter their sexual orientations, there are people and communities for them.

"I think the rainbow is big enough for all of us," Wagoner said.

The rainbow is a symbol of love, acceptance, unity and inclusion, said Chris Hartman, director of the LGBTQ-rights organization, the Fairness Campaign, in Louisville.

"None of which Mr. Ham or his operation embrace or embody," Hartman said.

Hartman admired the look of the lights, though.

"It makes the ark look incredibly gay," Hartman said.