For decades, the Republican party has fought against the acknowledgment of LGBTQ people's rights—the same rights cisgender heterosexuals enjoy every day.
The party has fought against same-sex marriage, employment and housing protections, accessible healthcare for LGBTQ people, and more. Most recently, the party killed the Equality Act, which would amend the Civil Rights Act to include LGBTQ people as a protected class.
When Republican elected officials aren't painting LGBTQ people as deserving of mockery, they're characterizing them as people to be feared. This often involves employing the age-old trope that LGBTQ people are secretly targeting children in order to somehow recruit them.
North Carolina's Republican Lieutenant Governor, Mark Robinson, recently sparked outrage with his own homophobia, claiming students were being taught "filth" for learning that LGBTQ people exist.
Watch below.
NC Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson calls LGBTQ \u201cfilth.\u201d \u201cYes, I called it filth. And if you don\u2019t like it that I called it filth, come see me and I\u2019ll explain it to you.\u201dpic.twitter.com/ovcYOJ7s1s— Ron Filipkowski (@Ron Filipkowski) 1633640075
Johnson told the audience:
"I'm saying this now, and I've been saying it, and I don't care who likes it -- those issues have no place in the school. There's no reason anybody anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality -- any of that filth. And yes, I called it filth, and if you don't like it that I called it filth -- come see me and I'll explain it to you,"
Johnson's bigoted comments have led some North Carolina state Senators to call for his resignation, but the Lieutenant Governor is only doubling down, insisting that he's seen educational materials that discuss graphic aspects of LGBTQ sex and suggesting that teaching students about LGBTQ people is part of a bigger, insidious agenda.
His comments were slammed across social media.
we cannot have bigots in our government. He represents many different kinds of people, he\u2019s violating his oath to the constitution and he\u2019s wholly unfit for office. \n\u201cAll men are created equal\u201d.https://twitter.com/ronfilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— The Tam (@The Tam) 1633640588
To be pedantic: we have the right to privacy, freedom of association; everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and deserves equality and equity. All of these principles are violated when government speaks like this. Everyone is diminished.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— ncultra (@ncultra) 1633689852
It\u2019s an absolute disgrace that such hatred is still deeply ingrained in sections of our society.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— Moon_\ud83c\udf39 (@Moon_\ud83c\udf39) 1633640289
Hey @MarkRobinsonNC I'm a lot of things, but "filth" Is not one of them. I am a beloved child of God and I'm queer. You need to get over it. I'd suggest resigning too because you're bigoted against people like me.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— Dee *Inerrancy is a tool of the patriarchy* Holmes (@Dee *Inerrancy is a tool of the patriarchy* Holmes) 1633661858
I could never support someone who refers to LGBTQ+ as 'filth'. His bigoty would prevent him from fairly representing his law abiding constituents.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— Brian \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83e\uddf8\ud83c\udf0aNO DM's! (@Brian \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08\ud83e\uddf8\ud83c\udf0aNO DM's!) 1633640996
@markrobinsonNC I live in NC and I will not vote for anyone who encourages hate for other human beings based on who they love or what they do in the privacy of their own bedrooms.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— Agelaius (@Agelaius) 1633690121
Others criticized the church that platformed the Lieutenant Governor's comments and the religious views that hinge on marginalizing LGBTQ people.
Is this an untaxed church giving a political platform to this homophobe? Why aren't churches taxed again? Especially those engaged in political advocacy?https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— Mark Banker (@Mark Banker) 1633641467
Hatred and ignorance on display. \nAnd so it goes.\nover and over again.https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— formerlyknownasphotog (@formerlyknownasphotog) 1633642019
Why is he so concerned with the LGBTQ community? He should look at himself before criticizing anyone.https://twitter.com/ronfilipkowski/status/1446217411871526914\u00a0\u2026— Arthur Massei (@Arthur Massei) 1633640180
Robinson has no intentions to resign and is expected to run for Governor in 2024.
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