Gary Sinise Cancels Speaking Gig for Catholic Anti-Gay Group

Forrest Gump's buddy Lieutenant Dan isn't a bad guy after all.

After coming under fire for being scheduled to speak at an annual summit presented by the staunchly anti-gay Catholic group Legatus, actor Gary Sinise has withdrawn his participation in the event.

In a statement published by The Advocate, the award-winning actor, best known for his Academy Award-nominated performance as Lt. Dan Taylor in "Forrest Gump" said:

"For me, faith has been a catalyst for my mission to honor the men and women who serve in our nation's military. When I accepted the invitation to speak at the Legatus conference on Veterans issues and share my story, I was unaware of the controversy surrounding some of the participants, and their views on personal matters. I don't want my mission-which is designed to be unifying-to be disrupted by these, or any controversies, and therefore have decided to withdraw."

Sinise was originally scheduled to speak at the members-only event to take place January 29-31 in Naples, Florida on a bill that included conservative anti-gay celebs Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Fox News anchor Bret Baier.

Legatus, which was founded in 1987 by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan is a vocal proponent of gay conversion therapy.

"Fortunately there is hope for those who suffer from the disorder." Reads a 2011 Legatus piece by Legate John Haas. "The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality reports that significant numbers of homosexual persons have undergone treatment and had their sexual drives properly ordered."

GLAAD's Jeremy Hooper noted that a 2012 issue of Legatus magazine, the organization listed five "non-negotiables"�for voters about to head to the polls. �Marriage equality (which the magazine labeled homosexual "marriage," smear quotes and all) was one of the five listed items, with the staff writer instructing Catholics�"to avoid voting for candidates who endorse or promote policies that provide for any of these acts and to vote instead for those who promote policies in keeping with moral law." �The phrase "intrinsic evil"�was used�seven times.

Sinise isn't the first celebrity to back out on Legatus. Bob Newhart, a lifelong Catholic cancelled a scheduled appearance at the 2014 Legatus Summit amid criticism by GLAAD and other LGBT advocates.