The state of Virginia was plunged into an equality row after Republicans on the state general assembly moved to block the appointment of a prominent local prosecutor, Tracy Thorne-Begland, to a position as a district judge.
While serving in the navy 20 years ago, Thorne-Begland came out as gay. Republican delegates on the general assembly argued that as this violated military rules - rules which have subsequently been discredited and abandoned - this makes him unsuitable to hold public office, but Jennifer McClellan, the Democratic delegate for the area in which Thorne-Begland lives, said that was an unfair representation as he'd been honourably discharged from the military twice.
The finger then points at out-and-out prejudice, and our reporter in Virginia spoke to prominent Republican activisits to find out more. One told us "If we appoint a gay judge, all his judgments will be gay. We want criminals going to jail and do hard time, not to watch musicals and decorate homes with tasteful decor. We don't want anyone in a position of power forcing us all to be gay"
Another said that "he's a man and he's called Tracy? I mean, what's up with that? Next he'll be forcing us all to have girls names and wear pink. That's what the Democrats want". "If God had meant for us all to be equal, then why did he make us all different?" countered a third.
The decision cannot now be overturned until next January as the assembly has been dissolved for the year and would be incumbent on Thorne-Begland's desire to renominate.
This is not the news
Showing posts with label gay rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gay rights. Show all posts
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Thursday, 10 May 2012
US Republicans respond to Obama's support for same-sex marriage
Republican party grandees reacted with fury, astonishment and a little curiosity to President Obama's vocal support for same-sex marriage.
Having spent a lot of time vacillating on the issue, and having teased Republicans further by saying his views on the matter were "evolving", Obama finally expressed his opinion that same-sex couples should enjoy the same rights as anybody else. The President told ABC that "At a certain point I just concluded, for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married". He said he had been swayed by the service of gays and lesbians in the US armed forces, which is odd as after saying he'd repeal the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in the run-up to the 2008 election, he then spent two years doing fuck all about it.
Naturally, the Republicans were outraged by the President's comments. "This is typical of the Democrats", said right-wing evangelical nutjob and spectacular point-misser Ralph Reed, "forcing people into homosexual relationships. Any God-fearing American would be appalled at having to shack up with another guy and do whatever it is they do in the comfort of their own homes."
Erstwhile Republican candidate for the Presidency Newt Gingrich said that this was typical of the Democrats and their love of 'big government'. "We in the Republican party believe that government should not be involved in the day-to-day lives of Americans. Except of course when it comes to telling you which bits of you that you are/are not allowed to insert into which bits of which other people". He continued to protest too much, saying "Who does Obama think he is to say that consensual acts between grown adults are not the business of government? He's basically worse than Stalin".
"This is an assault on the traditional marriage", the thrice-divorced Rush Limbaugh hypocrisised as a nation wondered why on earth anything Limbaugh has ever said has been given credence.
Having spent a lot of time vacillating on the issue, and having teased Republicans further by saying his views on the matter were "evolving", Obama finally expressed his opinion that same-sex couples should enjoy the same rights as anybody else. The President told ABC that "At a certain point I just concluded, for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married". He said he had been swayed by the service of gays and lesbians in the US armed forces, which is odd as after saying he'd repeal the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in the run-up to the 2008 election, he then spent two years doing fuck all about it.
Naturally, the Republicans were outraged by the President's comments. "This is typical of the Democrats", said right-wing evangelical nutjob and spectacular point-misser Ralph Reed, "forcing people into homosexual relationships. Any God-fearing American would be appalled at having to shack up with another guy and do whatever it is they do in the comfort of their own homes."
Erstwhile Republican candidate for the Presidency Newt Gingrich said that this was typical of the Democrats and their love of 'big government'. "We in the Republican party believe that government should not be involved in the day-to-day lives of Americans. Except of course when it comes to telling you which bits of you that you are/are not allowed to insert into which bits of which other people". He continued to protest too much, saying "Who does Obama think he is to say that consensual acts between grown adults are not the business of government? He's basically worse than Stalin".
"This is an assault on the traditional marriage", the thrice-divorced Rush Limbaugh hypocrisised as a nation wondered why on earth anything Limbaugh has ever said has been given credence.
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