WASHINGTON — Heather Wilson, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in New Mexico, came out against Sen. Al Franken’s (D-Minn.) anti-LGBT bullying legislation last week, claiming it would criminalize teasing and “punish children.”
Last year, Franken introduced SB 555, known as the Student Non-Discrimination Act. Right now, federal civil rights laws make clear it is illegal to discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, sex, religion, disability and national origin. Franken’s bill would expand those categories to prohibit discrimination and bullying in public schools based on sexual orientation or gender identity as well.
Wilson’s comments in opposition to the bill came during an April 12 debate with her primary opponent in the Senate race, Greg Sowards. They were caught on video by the Democratic group American Bridge. Wilson claimed that SB 555 would “criminalize” instances in which one child makes fun of another for having a “low voice,” and that it would outlaw anyone expressing an opinion “with respect to homosexuality in the schools” (emphasis added):
It is a act that would criminalize harassment or bullying in schools of children who are gay or who — it criminalizes bullying. It basically makes federal funding dependent on school board policies that will not tolerate bullying of people based on their sexual orientation or, you know, even when kids are below puberty.
I mean if somebody gets bullied for having, gosh a low voice — that’s never happened to me. … But I think one of the things why I don’t support the act is because I think it’s misplaced. They are things I’m willing to tolerate that I’m not willing to approve.
With respect to this particular agenda we have to recognize as parents that children tease each other because you’re short or you’re tall or you’re a redhead or because you’re ugly or because you’re smart or because you’re dumb or all kinds of differences and as parents we have to deal with that and strengthen our children to be comfortable with themselves and also to show empathy and acceptance towards others, but that particular act is so broad it would actually punish children and say that it’s prohibited to express an opinion with respect to homosexuality in the schools. I just think that’s wrong and it’s a violation of the First Amendment.
(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)
Senator Al Franken fact checks Senator Chuck Grassley on the history of marriage.
(h/t The New Republic)
This has been Real Talk With Al Franken. Tune in again next week.
(via inothernews)
“The hypocrisy of the Republicans who talk about the need to work together when day after day and on these job bills one after another they are sabotaging what the American people overwhelmingly want.”
Mr. Chairman, we need to pass this bill. And when we do pass it, straight people aren’t suddenly going to become gay. Straight people aren’t going to stop getting married. We’re going to be just fine, really.
What will happen is that millions upon millions of lesbian and gay Americans aren’t going to suffer the indignity of having their own government tell them that their marriages are no good. What will happen is that it will be easier for those people to start and to protect their families.
Sen. Al Franken at today’s hearing on the Respect For Marriage Act.
Franken sums up the very real, human issues behind DOMA so well. Video here:
I feel Neil Patrick Harris cheering is appropriate.
(via cognitivedissonance)
(via kileyrae)
A MESSAGE FROM U.S. SENATOR AL FRANKEN ABOUT ELIZABETH WARREN
When a passionate, principled, progressive reformer like Elizabeth Warren decides to run for the U.S. Senate, the first thing to do is to get really, really excited.
We’ve all seen what Elizabeth can do with her smarts — and her guts. I’ve been impressed with her tenacity for years. She took on Wall Street before anyone else would and pushed consumer protection to the top of the financial reform agenda.
We know she’s tough and fiery and even funny. We know she’s got a great life story and a full career of achievements fighting for middle-class families. That’s why progressives like you and me have been fans for a long time, and why we hoped she’d be able to lead the consumer protection board she created. And now, when we imagine her voice in the Senate, well, it’s even more exciting.
I’m proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren. But don’t just take my word for it.
After we’re done getting excited, there’s real work to do here. Just like me, Elizabeth hasn’t spent her life running for office, so she’s starting her grassroots organization from scratch. Just like me, she’s made a habit of annoying the far right and the big corporate interests — and take it from me, they play rough when they don’t like you.
And just like me, Elizabeth can only win if progressives like you are ready to fight alongside her.
So don’t just get excited about Elizabeth’s campaign — get active, and help her win it by clicking here to watch her video and join her team.
Remember that just as excited as we are about having Elizabeth in the Senate, that’s how panicked the special interests are about the idea. They are going to spend millions trying to stop her — that was the headline in Politico. “Wall Street Readies Assault on Elizabeth Warren.”
We’ve seen far too many great Democrats get buried under attack ads, but we also know that big grassroots support can beat big money. That’s how we won in Minnesota — and that’s how Elizabeth can win in Massachusetts.
So please click here to watch Elizabeth’s video and join her grassroots campaign today!
Just like you, I’ll be watching this race with great excitement. And I hope that just like me, you’re ready to do everything you can to help Elizabeth win.
Click here to sign up — and tell ‘em Al sent you.
Thanks,
Al
