03/17/2008
Oregon Lawmaker Calls Gays Perverts, Seeks Repeal of Bias Law
Two Republican Oregon legislators are spearheading an effort to repeal portions of the state's law which ban discimination based on sexual orientation:
"State Sen. Gary George, R-Newberg, and Rep. Kim Thatcher, R-Newberg, have submitted a ballot title to state elections officials, who announced this week they will accept public comments through March 25. The draft title on the proposed statutory amendment by George and Thatcher reads: 'Removes sexual orientation from statutes listing impermissible discrimination grounds; deletes other sexual orientation-related provisions.' Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, said the proposed initiative was expected. But she criticized the two Republican lawmakers for their role. 'While I'm not surprised that initiatives to repeal the laws have been filed, I'm shocked that this effort has been spearheaded by legislators whose duty is to protect Oregonians,' Frazzini said."
George recently gave an interview to Oregon gay newspaper Just Out regarding the anti-discrimination laws. Said 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."
George also described the anti-discrimination measure as like Nazi Germany. Said George in part of an hourlong interview to the Constitution Party of Oregon (audio):
"'Do they [the legislature] have the ability to write a bill dealing with special rights for homosexuals? To say that if I should stand at a pulpit and reach back here and grab a bible and tell you that homosexuality is an abomination to God, and if you're a homosexual you need to stop doing that, okay. You need to stop that. If I were to do that, under this bill, and we had the right people in the room, I could be brought up on charges - sound a little bit like Canada? Sound a little bit like Europe?' Then a voice from the crowd yells out 'Nazi Germany! Sieg Heil!' Nazi Germany, yeah that's right. And so, what happens is, what happens was, is they were able to get passed, and right now there's an effort out there by Marylin Shannon and a bunch of us that are actually going to challenge that. We're gonna say 'No, I'm sorry, you cannot provide special rights, you know, for homosexuals...' with the ability to sue you, and with the requirement that your children and your grandchildren be taught affirmatively that homosexuality is a great idea. So that's the kind of thing that we're battling down there.'"
State Senator Gary George [oregon state legislature]
Oregon lawmakers seek repeal of gay rights law [the oregonian]
Interview with State Senator Gary George [just out]
George speech to Constitution Party [audio]
Posted 9:53 AM EST by Andy Towle in Discrimination, News, Oregon | Permalink
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So which one is really the new Nazi Germany, Iran or Oregon? I'm confuzzled.
Posted by: marty | Mar 17, 2008 10:32:59 AM
It's like whack-a-mole with the fundie nutcases and homophobes here in Oregon. You'd have to be a drooling ignorant idiot or the worst kind of mendacious asshole to compare an anti-discrimination law to Nazi Germany, where, to refresh everyone's memories, homosexuals were rounded up and sent to concentration camps to die. Ugh. George will probably get re-elected, rural Oregonians just love getting spoonfed bullshit like this, which is why I generally try to stay within the city limits of Portland.
Posted by: John T | Mar 17, 2008 10:40:08 AM
"If you walk around talking about what you do in the bedroom, you should be on the pervert channel."
Who are these gay people walking around talking about what they do in the bedroom? I've never heard a single gay activist talk about his/her bedroom activities. The only people talking about what we do in the bedroom are the far-right whack jobs like Gary George. They're obsessed with our sexual activity while we're just trying to live our lives.
Posted by: sam | Mar 17, 2008 10:48:28 AM
OMG, it's Uncle Fester!!
Posted by: crispy | Mar 17, 2008 10:48:58 AM
My cable company doesn't offer the Pervert Channel. I'm missing out on shows like "Uncle George's Playhouse."
Posted by: homer | Mar 17, 2008 10:53:55 AM
Gee, the only perverts I've been hearing about recently have been the 'straight' ones.
Posted by: David D. | Mar 17, 2008 10:57:08 AM
Sam, pretty much. These are about the only people who want to talk about what goes on in my bedroom. Not even my partner (of 10 years) and I talk about what goes on!
Just don't call George a hypocrite while he's expounding the immorality of gay sex while he's having wings and beer at the local Hooters.
Is there a balance in this country? For how many of these Fundi religious zealot crapheads in office are there people actually elected who serve the greater population and not just their niche constituents?
Posted by: Rad | Mar 17, 2008 11:00:15 AM
Another ugly bible-bullshitter, slandering his fellow citizens like the bible says not to do.
And hasn't anyody ever heard straight guys boasting about their sexual escapades? God, that is so 70's 80's.
Posted by: Nikko | Mar 17, 2008 11:13:50 AM
Is it a pre-requisite to be a homophobe to be in the GOP or just a hypocrite? Need i delineate a list of GOP pervs? First its OK Rep Kerns, Now its OR George must be reelection season for the GOP and time to play the gay card!!
Posted by: alex | Mar 17, 2008 11:22:18 AM
Is it my imagination or is this country sliding backwards in it's attitude toward gay people? Seems like this crap is on the rise instead of dying off... just when I thought that a new, more open-minded generation was coming up into the ranks, some turd like this guys starts ranting and the backlash gets even worse.
Posted by: Johnny | Mar 17, 2008 11:48:55 AM
This is what is so annoying about this long, ridiculous blood Democratic primary, the two front runners trying for the job are so busy spewing nonsense about each other, that the hate is flowing from these right wing bigots daily for the GOP party base, and, they will get to keep the WH in November, because, sadly, there are many of this chumps ilk who think this way, and, they will be out to vote for McCain, who isn't exactly known as a "maverick" on gay issues.
Posted by: Sebastian | Mar 17, 2008 11:58:23 AM
This is why I adore closeted gay men like Anderson Cooper. They know to keep their mouths shut and not talk about gay things.
Kudos to you, Senator George, for laying things out so simply! I'm sending you a Mika CD!
Posted by: John In Manhattan | Mar 17, 2008 12:47:10 PM
In 2004 we were told to vote for John Kerry who wanted to get rid of same sex marriage in his own state of Massachusetts. Now Kerry is supporting Obama who gets his "spiritual" advice from Pastor Wright. What politician really is a maverick on gay issues Sebastian. Aren't super delegates suppose to vote along the lines of their constiuents because Kerry and Kennedy seem to be an exception to it
Posted by: z | Mar 17, 2008 12:48:45 PM
This is becoming an epidemic.
A North Carolin state legislator's wife just had a viruently homophobic rant printed in the local paper there. It made Sally Kern's screed sound like a gay pride speech.
I think this is an example of the extreme ugliness that comes from bigots when they realize that they are in their last throws.
Here's a link to a blog that covers the story. It has a link to her editorial:
http://www.interstateq.com/archives/2621/
Posted by: Zeke | Mar 17, 2008 2:00:50 PM
Uh, this is getting so tiring. Why do these homophobes never shut up ?
Posted by: Kitten | Mar 17, 2008 3:12:48 PM
this is how it starts: first the hate speech, hate propaganda, then the discrimination laws, and then hauling off people to concentration camps. concentration camps? no way, you may say. scoff if you wlll but believe me it can happen here, too. unfortunately, history has proved that when things are tough economically certain groups can be singled out as scapegoats. so we must be vigilant and fight this increasing tide of hate and bigotry at whomever and wherever it may be. it's a shame that john t is scared to venture beyond portland city limits but it's bigots like george who will eventually make it unsafe for him anywhere.
Posted by: the queen | Mar 17, 2008 3:56:22 PM
Doesn't Oregon have recall elections? Can't Oregon gay groups try to force one in his district? Just a humble suggestion.
Posted by: Ben | Mar 17, 2008 6:12:11 PM
You know whose been talking about gay sex the most...I experienced this first hand where I worked...it's the parolee's...they got out of jail in LA...took the sunbelt and now their coming in the country club back door...they tattle on me the ways I make love to my man...and tell each other all kind of terrible things...like bubble gum, salad, they piss me off to no end...throwing open the bedroom door on me, rifling my dresser drawers for my wallet and my keys...mofo's ...
Posted by: frodo441 | Apr 7, 2008 8:15:33 PM
Why is it so hard to teach a parolee, how to find a girl with a car and a job, and after awhile he'll learn to love her...shees...isn't that what they say in the joint.?
Posted by: frodo441 | Apr 7, 2008 8:18:35 PM
This hetero thing has gone on long enough...they keep their wildest fantasies all pent up...that's the truth, their afraid, just like racism and sexism is the most provocative subject that some people can come up with...and even that they can't handle...because what if, somebody finds out that you don't think or feel just like them..?...then you'd be a uptight, wound up outcast of the social norm venturing on societal morays...it's an illness!
Posted by: frodo441 | Apr 7, 2008 8:50:15 PM
I won't even elaborate on what those nasty boys from the penitentiary told me...nasty, just nasty.
Posted by: frodo441 | Apr 7, 2008 9:01:22 PM
Is nothing sacred anymore?!
Posted by: frodo441 | Apr 7, 2008 9:06:47 PM