Bigot!
From the Chron:
When Rep. Robert Talton learned that the gay and lesbian lobby was coming his way last month, he had state troopers posted at his office door to keep them from coming in.
In 1999, the Pasadena Republican said, about 25 gays and lesbians confronted him about a bill he proposed to keep homosexuals from serving as foster parents.
“I just remembered the last time,” Talton said. “They stormed my office so I just got ready for them.”
Talton, who chairs the House Urban Affairs Committee, makes no apologies for his actions and stands by his decision to bar gay and lesbian rights activists from entering his Capitol office.
“I don’t think we ought to be teaching young people that homosexuality is OK, and I believe a vast majority of people, especially those in my district, feel the same way I do,” he said.
[snip]
Talton introduced House Bill 194, a bill similar to the one filed in 1999, which stipulated that homosexuals or bisexuals are prohibited from applying as foster parents. He also filed House Bill 1911, which “prevents the placement of a child in a foster home with any unmarried individuals.”
“It’s a waste of both of our times,” Talton said. “They have their position and I have mine, so I made a decision not to talk to them.”
He said he called the Capitol security office and asked for some Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to keep the activists at bay.
Capt. Charles Campbell, security detail commander, said the activists caught Talton off guard in 1999 and that the legislator wanted to be prepared for the visit.
“I don’t want any of them in here,” Talton said. “If they’re here for this they’re not welcome.”
That last statement smacks of pure homophobia. Oooh! I can’t have “them” in here. They might touch something and contaminate it with their gayness! Save me from the scary gay people!!
I can’t imagine the firestorm that would rain down on this guy if he set up Troopers to ban African-Americans or Latinos or *gasp* White Conservative Christians from entering his office.
The worst part is that this hate-filled jackhole wins with 87% of the vote.
Un-f|<’n-believable!
It may just be unbelievable. How much you believe your local electoral process? Who tallies the votes? Who operates the machines?
Comment by kelley b. | 4/10/2003
I’m in no way defending Talton and his actions, but the fact that words are getting switched around…and misunderstood is bothersom. I believe that when Talton said “I don’t want any of them in here, if they’re here for this, they’re not welcome.” He didn’t mean “they or them” in a derogitory way…when you are talking about any group of people. You use correct grammar and say ‘they or them’ So the assumption that he meant it in a slanderous and derogitory way is off. I believe you missunderstood what he was trying to say.
Comment by Patricia | 4/10/2003
While we’re on the subject of grammar, I believe that when one refers to the Honorable Texas State Representative from District 144, ‘Jackhole’ should be capitalized.
Comment by Marc | 4/10/2003
Sorry, Patricia, any way you slice it, what he was saying in a larger sense is pretty clear.
In the end, I think maybe politicians and others with power should defer to the opinion of those who know the situation best. I am in my late twenties and my uncle, an open homosexual, had a good hand in helping to raise me, what with my father being away on business so much. I can tell you every challenge and every joy of having a gay parenting figure. There are so many.
But instead, people who have *no clue* make these decisions, and I believe that their perceptions cloud their judgement. Talton, and others in his situation, should just speak with those who have been in the situation if he wants to make an informed decision.
Comment by Jo | 4/11/2003