OH House-81: Backlash Against Homophobic Email by Wagner (R)

Early last week State Rep. Jeff Wagner (R-Sycamore) sent his Ohio House colleagues a shockingly ignorant and bigoted response he had written to a constituent concerned about H.B. 502/S.B. 305, the bill to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual preference or gender identity in employment and housing. (Dave noted the email on BSB last week.) Wagner shared his response with his colleagues because, he said, he believes "the only hope for this great country of ours is a return to the basic Judeo-Christian values that we were founded upon" (emphasis added):

Thank you for your e mail about HB 502. You are exactly right that this is a dangerous and misguided bill.

The bill is not really about people being denied rights to basic needs, but it is about promoting acceptance of an immoral lifestyle. As much as some people would have us to believe otherwise this country was founded on Christian principles. One of those long honored principles is the tradition of holy matrimony. One man and one woman joined together in a union that goes as far back as Adam and Eve. As our society has gotten further from that standard (not just homosexuality, but easy divorce, cheating on a spouse, etc) we see a continued collapse of the basic building block of society the family unit. As that traditional family erodes we see more sexually transmitted diseases, kids without parents, heartbroken people and I believe a host of mental and physical illnesses.

I thank you for your e mail and input on this issue, rest assured I can not support a bill in any way promotes or encourages the homosexual lifestyle.

So there you have it - banning discrimination in employment and housing is "dangerous" when it comes to sexual orientation and gender identity, because that (even in the context of committed relationships, apparently) leads to "mental and physical illness."

I'm pleased to learn that twenty-four members of the House Democratic caucus were quick to respond. Here is the text of a letter to Wagner and Husted sent last Friday, reprinted yesterday by the blogger Miss Vicki:

It has come to our attention that you have sent an email to all Members and staff with language that we believe is inappropriate and unprofessional for the civil dialogue this august body normally upholds.

We, the undersigned Democratic Members of the House, stand united against any type of discriminatory speech. Discrimination against anyone for any reason is wrong.

We strongly disagree with your statements.

The letter is signed by Minority Leader Joyce Beatty, ODP Chair Chris Redfern, Ted Celeste, Bob Hagan, Mike Foley, Tom Letson, Ron Gerberry, Joe Koziura, Kenny Yuko, Peter Ujvagi, Dale Mallory, Sandra Williams, Dan Stewart, Barbara Boyd, Edna Brown, Michael Skindell, Stephen Slesnick, Armond Budish, Steve Driehaus, Tyrone Yates, Clayton Luckie, John Domenick, and Tracy Heard.

We probably all owe Wagner something for revealing so widely the ugly bigotry and ignorance that underlies opposition to equality for the LGBT community, something that supporters of social justice must never forget.

Wagner's email is being widely reprinted and reviled on blogs around the country. For example, the PFLAG Blog reprints the email and has this to say:

Those are words with real consequences for LGBT people in Ohio. And, as the Williams Institute points out in its research, Ohio is home to more than 335,000 LGBT people; nearly 30,000 same-sex couples; and nearly 27,000 gay veterans.

And those numbers just make Wagner’s words that much more outrageous and disrespectful.

Of course, Wagner’s rant is also a reminder, as one of our PFLAG supporters in Ohio pointed out, of just how much misinformation is out there when it comes to issues like this one, and legislation like H.B. 502.

In fact, one wonders if Mr. Wagner has considered whether it might not be more damaging to “family values” to have a family member fired from their job, or denied a home for them and their loved ones, simply because of who they are, or who they love.

More after the break.
Pam Spaulding picks up the story at the well-known blog Pam's House Blend, and there is this commentary at Good as You:

[I]n case you've been off the far-right lawmaker's mailing list over the past few years, it's been officially determined that we gays are essentially brain-eating zombies who simply will not rest until we've sucked the souls out of every man, woman, and child on the face of the planet. To them, our every progressive step towards non-discrimination is really nothing more that a move towards immorality, and our every wish to live a normal, non-controversial life is really just a masked attempt to promote our "lifestyles." They have no qualms about saying whatever the hell they want about us, because our lives and loves have been officially declared lesser-than. ... Good lord, we're f**king over this pervasive pandemic of homo-hostility that has decimated the reputation of the Republican party over the past few years! Here's hoping voters are also as ready to move on as we think/hope/pray they are.

More can be found here and here.