Eugene A. Delgaudio (R-Sterling), a supervisor in Loudoun County, near Washington D.C., was "chastised" this week by fellow supervisors for remarks against an anti-discrimination ordinance passed by the county protecting citizens on the basis of sexual orientation:
At a Jan. 6 meeting, supervisors voted to expand Loudoun's
nondiscrimination policy to prohibit bias on the basis of sexual
orientation in hiring by the county. Delgaudio fought the change in the
meeting, saying he was especially offended by language in the measure
that sought protection for transgendered people. In the debate, he
called the board's attempt to protect transgendered people "freaky" and
"bizarre." In a subsequent newsletter to supporters, Delgaudio wrote
that "if a man dressed as a woman wants a job, you have to treat 'it'
the same as a normal person."
Delgaudio's non-apology was nearly as offensive:
Delgaudio responded, reading a revised statement with the word "it"
taken out. He continued: "With apologies to real-life Tootsies" and "to
all their defenders who are calling me all sorts of names and, like Mr.
Burton, are saying I should apologize."
Delgaudio's statements inspired apologies from fellow board members. Said Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac): "I think that the actions and words of Mr. Delgaudio prove why we needed
to institute the policy that we did the other day. There's clearly some
people who need those kinds of policies in place."
