Proof that we don't have to go as far as Oklahoma, home to YouTube phenom bigot Sally Kern, to find a ferociously anti-gay state legislator comes in the form of what Portland's gay paper, Just Out, rightly calls an "explosive interview" with the state senator sponsoring an anti-gay initiative.
Senator Gary George and State Representative Kim Thatcher have filed an initiative to reverse the recently enacted Oregon Equality Act -- an anti-discrimination law for sexual minorities -- and allow discrimination against gay people. The measure was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in 2007. [see Qnews summary]
George agreed to give his first media interview since filing the initiative to Just Out, which has posted excerpts of it on its website. Although he has since attempted to distance himself a bit from the remarks, telling his local newspaper that he was suffering from jet lag when the Just Out reporter called, the words he spews are every bit as "jaw dropping" as those uttered by Oklahoma's Sally Kern.
Just Out: What if an employee is fired because of his/her sexual orientation or gender identity? Isn't the Oregon Equality Act in place to guard against such discrimination?
George: As an employer, I don’t wanna hear about it. This workplace is for work purposes. My advice to the gay community is SHUT UP, just don’t talk about it. If you walk around talking about what you do in the bedroom, you should be on the pervert channel.
Read Just Out's preliminary report on the interview and just try to pick out a single objectionable response. Tough to do because the bigotry is endless.
But maybe it's because of all the stories I've read and summarized about the King murder that I find this exchange particularly offensive.
Just Out: What is your reaction to the recent murders of out gay youth in Florida and California?
George: Obviously murder is murder, there’s no excuse for that. Here’s what I’m saying, I think we’re seeing a backlash, in other words if you push me too hard don’t be surprised if I react. Gays will tend to react violently if people are oppressive toward them. If gays are oppressive toward straights, then you’ll see a violent backlash. You’re going to have a point where these groups develop and say I’m tired of these special privileges.
So, see... He can be a compassionate guy, this Senator George. He understands what suffering a murderer was going through.
Yikes!
Perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise, but I still find it remarkable that George thinks the Just Out interview will help him with his pro-discrimination initiative.
From his local paper, the McMinnville News-Register:
George said Friday that the backlash might actually help him with his initiative, because it exposes the intolerance of gay rights supporters
"I think it's just within that community," he said of the roil. "I think it would be good if it just stays there."