Republican CNN contributors promote anti-LGBTQ Libs of TikTok account

 SOPHIE LAWTON via Media Matters

On CNN, conservative contributors Scott Jennings and Margaret Hoover recently voiced support for the anti-LGBTQ account Libs of TikTok. 

Libs of TikTok is a right-wing Twitter account run by Chaya Raichik that targets educators and businesses that support LGBTQ rights, inspiring harassment from followers. Raichik has expanded the Libs of TikTok brand to Facebook, Instagram, and a personal Substack account, though Facebook reportedly suspended the account for less than 24 hours last week after it led an anti-trans campaign against Boston Children’s Hospital.  

On August 17, conservative political commentator Margaret Hoover boosted the account, saying that “gets traction because it's in response to, you know, a changing of the curriculum to diminish some of the core themes of American civics education and that is, that is actually a real thing.” Hoover went on to suggest parents are supportive of Libs of TikTok because their kids aren’t learning enough about the Constitution.

On August 18, after a panel of parents discussed their anxieties about their children returning to school in the fall, conservative commentator Scott Jennings referenced a parent comment about Libs of TikTok, saying, “They’ve gotten quite famous posting videos of people from schools.” Democratic strategist Maria Cardona called out the misinformation and disinformation around online videos in classrooms and argued against Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE” law. Jennings replied, “You can't deny, there have been some anecdotes, some examples, of teachers who have tried to inject some of these things.” 

Anchor Alisyn Camerota and Cardona were quick to call out Jennings for citing Libs of TikTok, with Camerota saying, “You can’t use that as your source.”

Cruz: ‘Gay marriage’ leads to Christianity being defined as ‘hate speech’

By David Edwards/Raw Story

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is predicting that tolerance of equal rights for LGBT people will result in Christianity being defined as “hate speech.”

In a recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, host David Brody told Cruz that activists saw the opposition to same sex marriage as “hate speech from the pulpit.”

“If you look at other nations that have gone down the road towards gay marriage, that’s the next step of where it gets enforced,” Cruz agreed. “It gets enforced against Christian pastors who decline to perform gay marriages, who speak out and preach biblical truths on marriage, that has been defined elsewhere as hate speech, as inconsistent with the enlightened view of government.”

“I think there is no doubt that the advocates who are driving this effort in the United States want to see us end up in that same place.”

Cruz also told Brody that the country was in need of a spiritual revival because “we’re at the edge of a precipice.”

“If we keep going down this path we’re risking losing our nation, we’re risking losing the incredible oasis of liberty,” he warned.

Watch the videos below from CBN, broadcast July 23, 2013.

(h/t: Right Wing Watch)

Republicans Unanimously Approve Anti-Marriage Equality Resolution Without Debate

By Zack Ford/Think Progress

At a retreat in Hollywood, California on Thursday, the Republican National Committee caved to pressure from social conservatives and unanimously approved a number of resolutions without any debate, including one opposing same-sex marriage.

As ThinkProgress reported Wednesday, this resolution is based entirely on debunked junk science and assumptions that heterosexual relationships are objectively superior to same-sex couples. Here is some of the text:

WHEREAS, the institution of marriage is the solid foundation upon which our society is built and in which children thrive; it is based in the conjugal relationship that only a man and a woman can form; [...]

WHEREAS, no Act of human government can change the reality that marriage is a natural and most desirable union; especially when procreation is a goal; [...] therefore be it

RESOLVED, the Republican national Committee affirms its support for marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and as the optimum environment in which to raise healthy children for the future of America.

A second resolution reaffirming the party’s 2012 platform included a similar provision opposing same-sex marriage:

WHEREAS, the 2012 Republican Platform states, “We believe that marriage, the union of one man and one woman must be upheld as the national standard, a goal to stand for, encourage, and promote through laws governing marriage.”

Last month, as part of its autopsy of the 2012 election, Republicans announced their intention to tone down — though not alter — their opposition to LGBT equality by sugarcoating how they discuss those positions. Adoption of these resolutions followed threats this week from social conservative groups that they would no longer support the GOP if the party didn’t stand strong, and even take guidance, from them on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion. In particular, the Family Research Council urged supporters not to give money to the GOP if it didn’t “grow a backbone.”

Stuck between this rock (trying to recruit young people) and hard place (depending on social conservatives), the Republicans seem to have reverted to their same old positions. This is in spite of the fact there are now two Republican Senators and two Republican House memberswho support marriage equality, with others evolving. Some have also acknowledged that it’s “inevitable” that a Republican presidential candidate will someday support same-sex marriage. For now, the GOP is dismissing this destiny and doubling down on baseless bigotry.

Republican official: Facebook post about ‘filthy’ homosexuals was ‘worth sharing’

By David Edwards/Raw Story

A Michigan committeeman with the Republican Party says that he posted an article on Facebook about the “filthy lifestyle” of LGBT people because it was “worth sharing.”

Slate’s Dave Weigel on Wednesday reported that Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema had used his Facebook page to promote an article by Dr. Frank Joseph titled “Everyone Should Know These Statistics on Homosexuals.”

Joseph warns parents that children are “being indoctrinated that homosexuality is just another normal alternative lifestyle.”

Included in his so-called “statistics,” are claims that “homosexual sexual encounters occur while drunk, high on drugs, or in an orgy setting,… Homosexuals account for half the murders in large cities” and “50% of suicides can be attributed to homosexuals.”

“Part of the homosexual agenda is to get the public to affirm their filthy lifestyle,” Joseph writes. “Homosexuals aren’t discriminated against in employment, so why should they be a protected class?”

Grand Traverse County Republican precinct delegate Dennis Lennox and 20 other Michigan Republicans called for Agema resign in a statement on Wednesday, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“This isn’t about what we believe either politically or as women and men of faith,” the group said. “This is about common decency and realizing that you cannot win an election by insulting a wide swath of the electorate, whose votes our Republican Party needs to once again form a national majority.”

In an email to the Free Press on Thursday, Agema accused “liberal Republicans” of casting Joseph’s words as his own.

“I think it was a piece worth sharing given the debate over gay marriage that is happening in the Supreme Court,” Agema insisted.

“I strongly maintain my position in support of marriage between a man and a woman and I will not back down from my core beliefs in support of strengthening the family,” he added.

Zack Pohl, executive director of the liberal group Progress Michigan, released a statement calling Agema “a prime example of a politician sorely out of touch with reality.”

“Nobody should have to endure hatred or discrimination based on their sexual orientiaton,” Pohl said.

According to the Republican National Committee website, “Agema was elected as the National Committeeman from Michigan in May 2012. He has served as a State Representative in the 74th District of Michigan since 2007 and will serve until the end of 2012.”

“He is the President of Sabath House Ministries, a faith-based literacy organization, and a member of the NRA, and the Allied Pilots Association.”

Fox News Contributors Say Marriage Equality Would Criminalize Christianity

By Zack Beauchamp/Think Progress

As the Supreme Court weighs the merits of allowing gay and lesbian Americans the freedom to marry, right-wing anti-equality advocates are cranking the fearmongering up to 11, claiming that a world of marriage equality is one that would functionally ban Christians from practicing their religion.

Two Fox News contributors, independently and in other outlets, made dire predictions along these lines. Todd Starnes, speaking on American Family Radio, argued that “persecution [of Christians] like we have never seen it” had “already started” as a consequence of the marriage equality movement:

STARNES: You know, it’s as if we’re second-class citizens now because we support the traditional, Biblical definition of marriage, or perhaps we are pro-life, and that means we’re somehow second-class citizens who don’t deserve to be in the public marketplace of ideas.

RIOS (HOST): Absolutely. In fact, it’ll be worse than that. You know there’s going to be punishment. There will be tremendous punishment. If gay marriage is embraced by the country, if the Supreme Court goes south this week in its hearings, we are in for – of course, we’re not going to hear about it until June – but we are in for persecution like we have never seen it.

STARNES: Well, it’s already started.

In reality, every piece of marriage equality legislation that’s been passed around country has included legal exemptions preventing clergy members and religious institutions from being forced to provide marriage-related services to LGBT Americans. Indeed, as a recent a CAP report shows, these exemptions have become increasingly broad as marriage equality advances, suggesting more, not less, sensitivity to the views of religious opponents of same-sex marriage.

Another Fox News contributor, Erick Erickson, went further. Writing on RedState, a conservative blog that’s commonly read by Republican legislators, Erickson fantasized about a world where the United States government — with a Congress that is roughly 80 percent Christian — began terrorizing Christian institutions, shuttering Christian businesses for opposing marriage equality, and labeling Christians themselves criminals:

Any Christian who refuses to recognize that man wants to upend God’s order will have to be driven from the national conversation. They will be labeled bigots and ultimately criminals…Once the world decides that real marriage is something other than natural or Godly, those who would point it out must be silenced and, if not, punished. The state must be used to do this.Consequently, the libertarian pipe dream of getting government out of marriage can never ever be possible.

Within a year or two we will see Christian schools attacked for refusing to admit students whose parents are gay. We will see churches suffer the loss of their tax exempt status for refusing to hold gay weddings. We will see private businesses shut down because they refuse to treat as legitimate that which perverts God’s own established plan. In some places this is already happening.

Erickson here is arguing for a broad-based license to discriminate against LGBT Americans. Other than the wedding case addressed above, Erickson’s examples aren’t situations where freedom of conscience or freedom to worship in the way your religion dictates are at stake. Rather, he’s asking that schools and businesses, two of society’s most basic institutions, be given carte blanche to discriminate against gay parents or patrons merely because they’re gay. It’s the difference between the freedom to be racist and the freedom to kick black people out of your store for being black — and there’s a reason why society protects the former but punishes the latter.

Conservatives Target Rob Portman’s Gay Son For ‘Harmful Choices’ That Will ‘Kill Him From AIDS’

By Zack Ford/Think Progress

Negative reactions continue to pour in about Sen. Rob Portman’s (R-OH) decision to endorse same-sex marriage, having changed his opinion because his son, Will, is gay. In addition to Bryan Fischer’s claim that being gay is comparable to robbing a bank and CPAC attendees’ claims that the golden rule doesn’t apply to homosexuality, several other groups and individuals have specifically targeted Will in their responses to his father’s new position. The Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins applauded Portman’s love for his son, but condemned Will’s “choices,” which are “harmful” both to him and to “society as a whole”:

PERKINS: I commend Senator Portman for his unconditional love for his son.  Regardless of a child’s choices, the love of a parent can and should be a guiding beacon in the lives of their sons and daughters.  Unconditional love, however, does not mean unconditional support in choices that are both harmful to them and society as a whole.  This is especially true when we approach public policy.  Our unconditional love for our children should not override the historical and social science evidence which makes abundantly clear what is best for all children and for society – being raised by a married mother and father.

Conservative Baptist minister William Murray went even further in a statement released through his Government Is Not God PAC, calling on Portman to subject Will to ex-gay therapybefore he dies from AIDS:

Portman has conveniently ignored the warnings against the sin of homosexuality in both the Old and New Testaments – and is accepting a behavior that may eventually kill his son from AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases, or oral cancer. [...]

What sort of core values motivate a U.S. Senator to change his mind about a sexually destructive behavior simply because his son is involved in it? What will happen to Rob Portman’s belief system when he discovers that his son is infected with HIV or throat cancer?

A person with a same-sex attraction has a treatable condition. No one is “born gay” and there is hope for those who want to overcome these destructive behaviors.

In his original statement, Portman admirably noted that his son’s sexual orientation was not a choice.

While Fischer chose robbing banks as a comparison to homosexuality and Murray chose cocaine, Andrea Lafferty of the Traditional Values Coalition mocked Portman by suggesting he might as well have been supporting his son for drunk driving:

My child is a drunk driver and I love him. It is a part of his identity, who he is. [...]

The tough part of being a parent is telling one of those young souls whom we have been charged with raising that he or she is wrong. But because it is tough that doesn’t mean that we are excused from doing it or we can delegate our responsibility to a teacher or “the village” or some other entity.

Lastly, Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) admitted today that he would not be capable of supporting a gay son in the same way Portman is. He told MSNBC’s Thomas Roberts that he would love gay children with all his heart, but even though he would “not want to discriminate against them,” he just happens to “believe in traditional marriage.” Watch it:

Earlier, Will tweeted that he was “especially proud of my dad today.” Portman took a courageous step in bucking his party by supporting his son, but the true test is how far he will go to defend Will from the barrage of offensive reactions.

Romney Adviser Compares Homosexuality To Polygamy, Drug Use During GOP Platform Committee Meeting

By Adam Peck/Think Progress

During a meeting of the Republican National National Convention Platform on Tuesday, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach spoke out against an amendment that would have struck down the party’s longstanding support for the Defense of Marriage Act — which outlaws same-sex marriages — by comparing homosexuality with drug use and polygamy.

Pat Kerby, an RNC delegate from Nevada, introduced the amendment, arguing that “under the constitution, every American gets treated equally under the law.”

But Kobach, who is best know as the chief architect of Arizona’s xenophobic SB 1070 law and advises the Romney campaign on immigration issues, opposed the amendment by comparing LGBT people to drug users and polygamists:

Our government routinely judges sutuatons where you might regard people completely affecting themselves like for exmaple the use of controlled substances, like polygamy that is voluntarily entered in to. We condemn those activities even though they are not hurting other people at least directly. So this is worded way to broadly for inclusion in the platform.

The amendment was defeated by a voice vote.

Watch Kobach’s statement:

Fox's Campaign To Defend Chick-Fil-A From Its Anti-Gay Record

JUSTIN BERRIER/Media Matters for America

Fox News figures, in defending Chick-fil-A from criticism over its aggressive opposition to marriage equality, are covering up the restaurant's anti-gay record, which includes millions in corporate donations to groups that spread misinformation about LGBT individuals and marriages.

Chick-fil-A has drawn criticism since its president, Dan Cathy, came out strongly against marriage equality,saying, among other things, that "we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.' "

In response to that criticism, which he referred to as "vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry," Fox News host Mike Huckabee declared August 1 to be "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" and asked his audience to eat at Chick-fil-A today in order to "affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse."

Fox News figures were quick to take up the charge. Fox host Eric Bolling supported the effort by asking Twitter followers to send him pictures of themselves eating at Chick-fil-A. On the July 31 edition of The Five, Bolling aired a few of the pictures, which he said showed that support for Chick-fil-A has "nothing to do with the gay rights discussion."

Fox News Radio reporter Todd Starnes tweeted that "a Chick-fil-A sandwich" is the "best defense against anti-Christian, anti-Chicken, leftwing, heterophobic bigots."

On today's edition of Fox & Friends, co-host Gretchen Carlson suggested that opponents of Cathy's anti-marriage equality stance have "taken [it] a step too far" because "an important point to make ... is just because you're in favor of traditional marriage, doesn't mean you discriminate against gay people."

Carlson's treatment of the story distils the dishonest narrative that the right-wing media is employing in their simultaneous support of Cathy and his company and their attacks on supporters of marriage equality. What Fox's Chick-fil-A cheerleading consistently ignores is that the company is not only owned and operated by an opponent of marriage equality, but that it has donated millions of dollars to anti-gay groups.

Through its charitable arm, WinShape, Chick-fil-A donated millions of dollars to organizations such as the Family Research Council, which is listed as an anti-gay "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In addition, WinShape has supported Exodus International, an umbrella ministry that supports controversial "ex-gay" legislation, and Alliance Defense Fund, a legal organization that calls protections for LGBT people the "principal threat to your religious freedom." It has also donated  to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an organization that has allegedly "freed" people from homosexuality and has condemned the "impure lifestyle" of homosexuality.

In addition to funding anti-gay advocacy, WinShape reportedly actively discriminates based on sexual orientation. The website Good For You posted an email discussion showing that WinShape prohibits same-sex couples from participating in programs such as the WinShape Retreat.

Conservative Media Attack The Muppets For Founding Company's Chick-Fil-A Rebuke

ERIC HANANOKI/media matters for America

Members of the conservative media are attacking The Muppets for its founding company's decision to sever ties with Chick-fil-A, which supports numerous anti-gay causes. The Muppets have been called "heterophobic, anti-diversity, anti-inclusive bigots," and against family and Christian values. Conservatives, including Fox News, recently criticized The Muppets for allegedly promoting liberal propaganda in their 2011 film.

In the wake of criticism, Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy recently defended the company's support of anti-marriage equality groups. In a statement on Friday, The Jim Henson Company, which partnered with Chick-fil-A on a promotion, announced that it "has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-fil-A to GLAAD."

Though The Jim Henson Company was founded by the creators of The Muppets, the company sold the rights to The Muppets in 2004 to The Walt Disney Company, which produced their most recent movie.

The company's decision led to condemnation of The Muppets from several conservative commentators. American Family Association radio host Bryan J. Fischer wrote a series of tweets attacking The Muppets for being "heterophobic, anti-diversity, anti-inclusive bigots."

Conservative blogger Jim Hoft wrote: "Muppets Dump Chick-fil-A Over Christian Values & Gay Marriage ... Just last year the Muppets released a movie that promoted a left-wing agenda. The movie even featured bad-guy oilman Tex Richman, the evil capitalist and oilman."

Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes tweeted: "Muppets Oppose Traditional Marriage? http://bit.ly/Ojurd4 Sounds like the Muppets have a hand up their....oh wait...they do."

Breitbart News wrote that the "Muppet brand continues to shed its apolitical cloth, fur and ping pong ball eyes" and criticized the Muppets movie for casting "an eeee-vil oil baron as its villain, and Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy let loose with an anti-Fox News gag during a press conference." The Fox Nation website linked to a portion of a Reuters article noting the decision and headlined it, "The Muppets Get Political."

Conservative columnist and RightWingNews blogger John Hawkins wrote of the decision by referencing Jim Henson, the late Muppets creator: 

If Jim Henson wants to have Kermit marry Fozzie Bear in a ceremony presided over by Beaker in assless chaps, far be it from me to criticize that. Actually, come to think of it, I would criticize the hell out of that. But for now, let me just note that it's sad that Jim Henson doesn't think the Muppets should be associated with Chick-Fil-A because it's taken a pro-Christian, pro-family stand. Christians should keep that in mind before they allow their children to be exposed to the Muppets. 

In a July 23 article, WorldNetDaily wrote that "Henson's company is just one more such company dependent on America's families with children to adopt the politically correct support for homosexual behavior." 

Huckabee battles ‘militant homosexuals’ with ‘Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day’

By David Edwards/Raw Story

Fox News host Mike Huckabee is so outraged that The Muppets and “militant homosexuals” are attacking Christian restaurant chain Chick-fil-A for their stance on LGBT rights that he has calling for “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” on August 1.

“I have been incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick Fil-A company because the CEO, Dan Cathy, made comments recently in which he affirmed his view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld,” Huckabee wrote on his Facebook page. “At 91, he is still active in the company, but his son Dan runs it day to day as CEO. It’s a great American story that is being smeared by vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.”

“I ask you to join me in speaking out on Wednesday, August 1 ‘Chick Fil-A Appreciation Day,’” he added. “The goal is simple: Let’s affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1. Too often, those on the left make corporate statements to show support for same sex marriage, abortion, or profanity, but if Christians affirm traditional values, we’re considered homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant.

In a message to his supporters, Huckabee explained that “militant” homosexuals were “bullying” Chick-fil-A with “intolerance and vicious hate speech.”

“The militant homosexual advocates have launched an all out assault on Dan Cathy and Chick Fil-A, pushing for a boycott because the Cathy family has contributed to traditional marriage organizations,” the former Arkansas governor charged.

“The attempts to hurt or destroy Chick Fil-A is nothing short of economic bullying. In the name of ‘tolerance,’ there is an effort being mounted to put pressure on people to stop eating at Chick Fil-A. … The Christian world view of Dan Cathy is being met with intolerance and vicious hate speech.”

Equality Matters reported earlier this month that the restaurant chain had given over $1.9 million in 2010 alone to groups that oppose marriage equality and other LGBT rights.

During an interview with the Baptist Press, Cathy insisted the company was “guilty as charged.”

“We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit,” Cathy said. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”

The Jim Henson Company announced on Friday suggested that it was ending its relationship with Chick-fil-A and would no longer be offering The Muppets toys in kids’ meals because of the Christian restaurant chain’s anti-LGBT agenda.

“The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors,” the company wrote on its Facebook page. “Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to [The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation] GLAAD.”

Late last week, Chick-fil-A attempted to distance itself from its owner’s comments.

“The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender,” astatement on Chick-fil-A’s Facebook page said. “Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”

North Carolina Pastor: Pen In ‘All The Lesbians And Queers’ With An Electrified Fence, Wait For Them To ‘Die Out’

By Annie-Rose Strasser/Think Progress

North Carolina Pastor Charles Worleyshared with his congregation this weekend how he thinks the country should deal with the scourge of gay men and lesbians: Lock them into a pen with an electrified fence, drop food down to them, and because they can’t reproduce, they will die out.

The Pastor’s leper colony-esque proposal came in response to the president’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, which he said “anybody with any sense” would be against. Worley explained that the idea of two men kissing makes him “pukin’ sick,” so he developed a proposal to “get rid of all the lesbians and queers”:

WORLEY: I figured a way out — a way to get rid of all the lesbians and queers. But I couldn’t get it passed through Congress. Build a great big large fence, 150 or 100 miles long. Put all the lesbians in there. Fly over and drop some food. Do the same thing with the queers and the homosexuals. Have that fence electrified so they can’t get out. Feed ‘em, and– And you know what? In a few years they’ll die out. You know why? They can’t reproduce.

Watch it:

These comments are in line with other anti-gay religious leaders in the state, like Sean Harris, who said parents should “crack” their children’s “limp wrist.” Harris walked back his statements, but Worley emphasized in his speech that he did, in fact, “mean to say that.”

Virginia Democrats blast ‘bigoted’ Republican delegates

By Eric W. Dolan/Raw Story

Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday morning blocked openly gay Richmond prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland from appointment as a District Court judge, according to the Associated Press.

Thorne-Begland received 33 yes votes and 31 no votes. All of the no votes came from Republican delegates. Ten delegates abstained and another 26 did not vote.

“In the final hours of a legislative session defined by right-wing reactionaries attempting to remake Virginia in their own radical image, Republicans in the General Assembly set a new and unthinkable standard for their backward agenda,” Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran said.

Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall (R) announced on Saturday that he would challenge Thorne-Begland’s nomination, calling him an “an aggressive activist for the pro-homosexual agenda.”

“After more than a week of pleading by some Republican Caucus members the House Republican leadership has so far declined to removed Mr. Thorne-Begland’s name from the block of nominees,” Marshall said in a statement. “If this situation remains unchanged, I will offer an amendment to remove his name.”

Marshall noted that Thorne-Begland has adopted two children with his male partner and has worked for LGBT rights organizations that support same sex marriage.

“As Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for Richmond and a decorated veteran, Tracy Thorne-Begland is qualified to serve as a General District Court Judge by any conventional measure,” Moran added. “By rejecting him after a debate that centered almost exclusively on Mr. Thorne-Begland’s sexual orientation, Virginia Republicans proved that a person’s experience and qualifications are irrelevant to them if they object to whom that person is.”

“It is difficult to consider last night’s vote without using the word ‘bigoted,’ just as it’s difficult to consider this period of unified Republican government without using the word ‘disaster.’”

Mitt Romney Outed As Anti-Gay High School Bully

By Adam Peck/Think Progress

Last year’s string of heartbreaking suicides by young members of the LGBT community who had been bullied by their classmates led hundreds ofcelebrities, sports teams, politicians and ordinary citizens to record “It Gets Better” videos. Even President Obama recorded one.

One politician who has not: Mitt Romney, who has been relatively silent on the issue. This morning, a story in The Washington Post reveals that the presidential candidate engaged in bullying behavior during his days at a prestigious preparatory school in Michigan:

John Lauber, a soft-spoken new student one year behind Romney, was perpetually teased for his nonconformity and presumed homosexuality. Now he was walking around the all-boys school with bleached-blond hair that draped over one eye, and Romney wasn’t having it.
[…]
A few days later, Friedemann entered Stevens Hall off the school’s collegiate quad to find Romney marching out of his own room ahead of a prep school posse shouting about their plan to cut Lauber’s hair. Friedemann followed them to a nearby room where they came upon Lauber, tackled him and pinned him to the ground. As Lauber, his eyes filling with tears, screamed for help, Romney repeatedly clipped his hair with a pair of scissors.

Jason Horowitz spoke with five students who attended Cranbrook School at the same time as Romney, and all of them independently recalled the same story. Mitt Romney was asked about the Post’s story during a live radio broadcast with Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, apologizingbefore explaining that he didn’t remember many of the details of what took place: “Back in high school, I did some dumb things and if anybody was hurt by that or offended, obviously I apologize for that…I don’t remember that incident,” Romney said, laughing. “I certainly don’t believe that I thought the fellow was homosexual. That was the furthest thing from our minds back in the 1960s, so that was not the case.”

It seems odd that Romney would not recall such a bizarre event, especially since so many other students who were asked about it painted clear pictures of what transpired, but perhaps such “hijinks and pranks” were so frequent he has simply lost track of them all.

A separate incident, in which Romney ridiculed a closeted gay classmate by sarcastically praising him with “atta girl!” comments, helps paint a troubling picture for the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee. To date, Romney has not stepped forward to support any bills that seek to protect LGBT students from the kind of bullying that Romney himself participated in while in high school.

But the presumptive Republican nominee has made it clear where he stands on LGBT rights today, 50 years after the incident. Just this week he again affirmed his position that gay couples should not receive equal recognition under the law as straight couples do.

This all stands in stark contrast with President Obama, who less than 24 hours ago became the first sitting occupant of the Oval Office to endorse same sex marriage.

UPDATE

Team Romney has begun reaching out to former classmates from the Cranbrook School to serve as surrogates for the campaign, but more news organizations have begun to dig around, too. ABC News spoke with one classmate who doesn’t have fond memories of Romney:

One former classmate and old friend of Romney’s – who refused to be identified by name – said there are “a lot of guys” who went to Cranbrook who have “really negative memories” of Romney’s behavior in the dorms, behavior this classmate describes as “evil” and “like Lord of the Flies.”