10 Top Anti-Gay House GOP Members and Their Absurd Beliefs
Here is a list of the top 10 most infuriating, outspoken House Republicans who have publicly come out against same-sex marriage. They all have voted to uphold the definition of a "traditional marriage" as that between one man and woman. Here's what they have to say on the matter and more:
1. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.):
Mother Jones previously reported that Vicky Hartzler could possibly be the most anti-gay representative in congress. Her anti-gay bias has been at the center of her political career.
When addressing a question from a gay audience member at a town hall about her actions championing a ban on gay marriage, she was quoted saying, "Right now it has been the law of the land for a long time. Marriage is between a man and a woman. All we did in 2004 is just put that in the constitution. So we're not changing policy at all. And, anyway, so you shouldn't feel bad."
2. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.):
She's been one of the biggest advocates of "pray the gay away," so you can imagine there are some truly offensive quotes, but if you have to choose one ....
"Any of you who have members of your family in the lifestyle, we have a member of our family that is [lesbian]. This is not funny. It’s a very sad life. It’s part of Satan, I think, to say that this is gay."
Since Minnesota became the 12th state to approve same-sex marriage, it's good she's not seeking re-election.
3. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.):
Blackburn co-chaired the Republican National Committee's platform and helped get discriminating language against gays adopted into their executive summary. Last year's platform was widely seen as one of the most anti-gay ever taken by the modern GOP.
"The court-ordered redefinition of marriage in several states … is an assault on the foundations of our society, challenging the institution which, for thousands of years in virtually every civilization, has been entrusted with the rearing of children and the transmission of cultural values." Such an "activist judiciary," it says, is "a serious threat to our country's constitutional order, perhaps even more dangerous than presidential malfeasance." And President Obama's gay-friendly policies, including his administration’s decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act in court, amount to "a mockery of the president's inaugural oath."
4. Timothy Huelskamp (R-Kan.):
Huelskamp's ignorant view that children of gay couples will be "shortchanged" as a result if the Supreme Court strikes down Proposition 8 and DOMA. In a write up in response earlier this year, he said, "President Obama and I have very different notions of what a family is. For liberals, the family can apparently be everything from 'Heather Has Two Mommies' to 'Daddy’s Roommate' to Hillary Rodham Clinton's 'It Takes a Village.' In the opinion of electoral majorities in Kansas and 40 other states, however, that does not make a family."
5. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.):
Amidst the happenings across the world in 2006 (the Iraq War, astronomically high gas prices, missile testing in North Korea), the "values agenda"-focused House Republicans thought a failed attempt to pass a ban on same-sex marriage was just as important as the dealings overseas. Rep. Gingrey said that supporting traditional marriage was perhaps "the best message we can give to the Middle East and all the trouble they're having over there right now."
6. Steve King (R-Iowa):
Even though it's legal to marry in Iowa and obtain marriage licenses, King wrote an op-ed earlier this year making his case against same-sex marriage:
"You do not need a license to begin a new friendship, start shopping at a new grocery store or pharmacy, or even begin a new dating relationship. Likewise, one does not need a court order to terminate any of those relationships. This fact indicates that there is something unique about marriage that necessitates government involvement. Insisting upon heterosexual marriage is therefore not discriminatory, nor does it constitute the government telling anyone whom to love. The argument for upholding the Defense of Marriage Act is rooted in the way marriage is historically treated by state laws."
7. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas):
Rep. Randy Neugebauer stated what his idea of marriage looks like in the lead up to the Supreme Court ruling:
"States have been able to determine how they want to treat gay marriage in their states ... Now the Supreme Court may rule those laws are invalid. My personal belief is I still believe marriage is between a man and a woman. We'll see what the Supreme Court thinks. To me, the people spoke on that issue."
8. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.):
Lamborn lashed out at President Obama in 2011 when he announced he and his administration would not defend DOMA. Lamborn acted as if it was a personal attack on his state, claiming Obama was "insulting every state in the country that passed the Defense of Marriage Act through democratic processes, including Colorado."
9. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.):
Rep. Forbes has voted on banning same-sex marriage many times, but he's taken his beliefs further. In addition to co-sponsoring DOMA, he wants government forms to reflect his ideals of a traditional marriage:
"Symbolism is important and this legislation seeks to preserve the sacred relationship mothers and fathers share with their children. Referring to parents as 'Parent 1' or 'Parent 2' on official government documentation is a bureaucratic attempt to redefine traditional parent roles. These subtle, but nonetheless significant, changes undermine the traditional American family relationships that have served as the bedrock of our nation since its inception."
10. Ralph Hall (R-Texas):
Last, but certainly not least ... The 90-year-old anti-gay congressman accidentally walked into a LGBT event last week. He exited the event as quickly as he possibly could, after he realized he was at the wrong event. He is a well-known supporter of DOMA, so the irony is just too great. His website quotes him saying, "Ensuring marriage is strictly between a man and a woman sends a positive message to our children about the sanctity of marriage and emphasizes the importance of a stable family environment as the bedrock of our society."
