Eight-Year-Old Tells Michele Bachmann: 'My Mommy's Gay But She Doesn't Need Fixing' - VIDEO
Check out the look of fear in Michele Bachmann's eyes as she realizes what this eight-year-old boy is telling her: "My mommy's gay but she doesn't need any fixing."
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
I think this makes all of us uncomfortable however, The Bachmann's would gladly aid in the reform of the gay mother given that chance. They continue to work against and harm the LGTG community and their families.
We liberals always take the high ground and it gets us nowhere! We don't hold politicians accountable, we don't tax the rich and we are entirely too tolerant of people like Bachmann, Gingrich and the like. It's time we got in that game!
Posted by: phil | Dec 6, 2011 6:57:46 AM
The Youtube explication makes this incident more than acceptable, it makes it funny. The boy wanted to say what he said and he nailed her. The woman was flabbergasted. Everything else about it has been taken way too seriously here. LOL and move on.
Posted by: uffda | Dec 6, 2011 7:17:09 AM
I don't know how effective it was but I do know that it was painful to watch.
Posted by: mastik8 | Dec 6, 2011 7:19:23 AM
At 8 yrs old, even if I had come up with an idea of my own, I would be shy when I got to the front of the line.
You all are acting like this kid is 3 or 4 yrs old and has no idea what he is saying. He's eight. Don't assume the mother coached him into saying that without knowing all the facts. Bravo to this kid!
Posted by: Brian in Texas | Dec 6, 2011 7:23:23 AM
I think the kid is too young to understand any concept of what he said....he might as well just said "Im gay" without knowing the Meaning....maybe if he was 12 or so when kids have thier own minds/opinions....but at his age......
I HATE MB with a passion, but mom..that wasn't cool
Posted by: Gay American | Dec 6, 2011 8:14:43 AM
The people who politicize children are the politicians. Look at Mrs. Bachmann (I mean Michelle, not the other one)leaning in to milk that special little moment for all it was worth. But instead of humanizing her, the kid revealed her for the monster that she is.
Just because this kid was a bit shy does not mean his mother put him up to it. Kids are like that. Sometimes the things they want to do most are the things they are most afraid of when they finally get the opportunity.
Posted by: shawnthesheep | Dec 6, 2011 8:25:20 AM
Way to go. Fight idiocy with idiocy. That's always not worked for me.
Posted by: Michael | Dec 6, 2011 8:42:04 AM
All I noticed was the look of shock on her face when she looked at the mother as if to say, "why would you make your child do this?". And I agreed with her.
Posted by: D.R.H. | Dec 6, 2011 8:42:44 AM
Disagree. This child has to face the fact his mother is gay. That like it or not gay discrimination is part of his life. The fact that people like Bachman are saying that his family is not equal filters down to school kids. This parent is teaching the child they have a right to stand up for their family. I say this parent is doing her job.
Posted by: Joey | Dec 6, 2011 9:12:29 AM
what this kid is nothing short of brave. stop accusing the mother of politicizing the kid....ever been in a schoolyard and see the hate that spewed from the haters that put fear and loathing into their kids about gays???.....
Posted by: Chris | Dec 6, 2011 9:21:04 AM
I'm a little surprised, but very proud to see so many Towleroad readers expressing the view that the mother of this little boy should not be using him to make political statements. I agree and believe it is also wrong when people from the right-wing do this. It's only natural for this child to love his Mom and believe she doesn't need "fixing." But for those tempted to try to use statements by children to score a political point, realize that this can get us into some really awkward situations . What do we do when an eight year old says "Please make it illegal for my Mommy and Daddy to get a divorce. I love them both and I need to have them both live with me. Didn't they make a promise?" Hey, it could happen. We can't tell kids they can ask society for liberal political policy or conservative political policy without running the risk that they'd make a request neither side would want to have to answer.
Posted by: Mary | Dec 6, 2011 10:19:18 AM
" do any of you know any eight year olds?! they have opinions, educated ones"
lol, that probably came from someone who never outgrew his opinions as an 8 year old.
Posted by: Hoho | Dec 6, 2011 10:22:38 AM
"Bachmann and those of her ilk have no problem indoctrinating their children from a very young age to believe that their chosen, alternative lifestyle - evangelical christianity - is normal, so why should this mother be any different?"
So the fact that Bachmann and other evangelicals do something, means gay people should be doing the same? Please never have a kid.
Posted by: Hoho | Dec 6, 2011 10:24:52 AM
It is shameful for gay activists to exploit and manipulate a 8-year-old for political purposes.
Posted by: Derek Wain | Dec 6, 2011 10:27:29 AM
Disgusting - I am not a Bachmann supporter but that was totally uncalled for on the part of the mother.
Posted by: Mike | Dec 6, 2011 10:30:12 AM
Don't feel sorry for Michele at all. AT ALL. Not with the bile she spews every day. She needs to see the faces of all that her thoughts and her views would affect. From young to old. She is not excused just because a child (whatever the motive, and from reading other comments, it seemed that it was his will) said it. Shame on her and anyone else who is bullying the gay community. We all need to act up.
Posted by: alex | Dec 6, 2011 10:56:01 AM
Like many others, I believe Michelle Bachman is a ridiculous parody of a politician, but putting your child on video and coaxing him to speak on camera is shameful. There are many wonderful gay moms and dads out there but this display for the camera is unnecessary and does nothing to combat the bigotry Michelle embodies.
Posted by: Bill | Dec 6, 2011 11:25:46 AM
As a gay dad, I hold my own political views and wage my own political fights. I tell my child about the issues, both sides of them, and let him come into his own. The parent's refusal to engage Bachmann's attempts to engage is cowardly. Assuming this child wanted to say it, I as a parent would stand there, back up, and defend my child... not fail to shake her hand while pushing my child forward then quickly walking away in silence... all while being together enough to making sure someone filmed it. This exchange didn't happen by accident.
I imagine the exchange to be emotionally charged for both the child and the parent, which makes knowing the "right" thing easier in hindsight. But, geeze, assuming the intentions were genuine as they were portrayed (i.e. an 8 yo knows the minor candidates in a Presidential primary, knows their views, and wants to confront one of them) be a parent by engaging the adult on behalf of your child. Support your child by reinforcing your child's sentiment. Be an adult by engaging with the adult, not leaving the child to face an adult on his own.
Parenting fail.
Posted by: Aaron | Dec 6, 2011 11:57:55 AM
The comments from gay parents on this story make me wonder if having kids makes you an ass. Why did I somehow think that gay parents would be any less different than straight parents when it came to "what would the children think?" Blech.
Posted by: Joe | Dec 6, 2011 12:04:57 PM
#fail
Posted by: facepalm | Dec 6, 2011 12:15:08 PM
Thanks, Aaaron. Cowardly - that is indeed what best describes the attitude of that mom, if it is true, as it seems, that she made her child recite those lines. Pushing a child into doing that, is just an attempt to provoke an emotional reaction; it stifles rational debate. If Bachmann reacted in any way other than silence, she'd look either like a monster or a moron. In other words, she was deprived from any fair opportunity to present an answer. And yes, that is a cowardly thing to do. And that is also something we don't really need to do, since we already have reason and facts on our side; we don't need to silence anyone, not even Bachmann.
Posted by: Hoho | Dec 6, 2011 1:23:36 PM
I'm more concerned about what Michele Bachmann thought about this. My guess: She saw two gay parents use their child against his will as a tool to push their gay agenda.
End result: Bachmann's anti-gay beliefs are strengthened, and these parents just entrenched her in her own delusion even more.
Posted by: masa | Dec 6, 2011 1:35:29 PM
Children are not our political pawns. What these lesbian parents did was akin to a divorcing couple using their kids against each other. The child was evidently embarrassed and if the 'parents' wanted to unload a shovel of negativity on Bachman they should have done it themselves. A simple introduction and statement that they are a productive Anerican family would have sufficed!
Posted by: Marcos Duran | Dec 6, 2011 1:48:01 PM
As much as I like to see Michele Bachman squirm, stop using your kids to make your own political statements. Is this any different than the KKK making their kids wear pointy hats and say things like "I hate N*****s?
It would have much rather seen the mom speak her mind. As you know, kids will say almost anything their parents want them to say, so it only becomes a "gotcha moment."
She's not going to win.
Posted by: Hollywood, CA | Dec 6, 2011 1:56:15 PM
Gross. Leave kids out of it.
Posted by: jonny | Dec 6, 2011 2:01:59 PM