Franklin Graham's Decision America Tour receives protests from LGBT activists in Wisconsin

LGBT activists staged a protest during a rally of evangelist Franklin Graham's Decision America Tour in Wisconsin last month.

Graham was greeted by LGBT protesters when he went to Madison, the 28th stop for the tour, to encourage the people to vote for candidates who uphold the teachings of the Bible.

"Vote for candidates who stand for Biblical truth," the evangelist addressed those in the prayer rally, according to Christian Today. "We need men and women today in high places who will honor almighty God."

He added that he was grieved by the reality that the U.S. has become "a godless nation."

Graham also urged believers to stand up for the things of God.

He openly preached that homosexuality is a sin and was quoted as saying that those who "continue living like this" will suffer in "the flames of hell."

However, the tour rally was criticized for being held just a few days after the Orlando shooting on June 12, where 49 people were shot to death at the Pulse gay nightclub.

The protesters, led by atheist organization Freedom from Religion Foundation, said Graham's words promote hatred. Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president, also challenged Graham's teaching that the U.S. has its roots in Christianity.

"Contrary to Franklin Graham's hysterical claims, the LGBT community is not a threat to the United States — but his campaign to legislate religion-fostered discrimination is," she said.

Rep. Chris Taylor, who supported the protest, said people are "appalled" by the hatred being stirred up by the principles that Graham advocates. She said the protest was meant to send a message that "discrimination, intolerance and hatred are not values we have."

FFRF said its protest promotes the separation of church and state.

"The purpose is to make sure that the secular voice in opposition to religious fundamentalism gets heard," the organization said on its website.

Graham's Decision America tour, which includes 50 states, was launched to encourage Christians to exercise their right to vote, to live out their convictions in every aspect of their lives, and to pray for the nation the way Nehemiah pleaded for God to help them rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and infuse hope to the people once more.