Gay Bashing is official business in Alabama

In Marshall County, Alabama, Sheriff Mac Holcomb thinks we lost our way and wants to roll back the clock to the 1940s and 50s, a period of stronger values.  While he doesn't specifically say whether that rollback should include a return to segregation, he is clear on how he feels about them queers.  In a letter on the official Marshall County website, he writes:

Men were men and women were women and there was no mistaking which was which. Both were proud of their individual roles. Homosexuality was very queer and a despicable act... an abomination.

This is not the ramblings of some yahoo on Free Republic or some righty pundit.  It's a country sheriff posting on an official county website and hanging the letter in the lobby of his office (it's been there since 1995.)

Now, if an individual feels that way, that's their problem.  I'd rather they didn't, but ultimately it's their right to hold bigoted viewpoints.  If that person holds a key public office like, say, Sheriff, it's a bit more concerning.  If that person expresses those views in an official capacity, well, we have a problem.

A California man came across Holcomb's letter while looking for resources to help his elderly mother who lives in Marshall County.  And while he learned the site was paid for by Marshall County, he also learned the county has no control of the sheriff's department and likely nothing would be done without a court order.  Court order, ey?  Looks like the ACLU is about to pick up a new case in Alabama.

•  If memory serves me right

  During the halcyon years Sheriff Holcomb refers to, Jim Crow segregation (that's Southern English for "apartheid") was firmly entrenched in the Code of Alabama.

  by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 08:46:24 AM PDT

•  and don't forget this Alabama diary

  Alabama: the worst place to be gay in Bush's America?

  Pam's House Blend

  by pamindurham on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 08:52:25 AM PDT

  •  Thanks for the link

    Excellent diary, one that I wish was not needed.

    by up2date on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 09:38:06 AM PDT

•  Did you

  notice all the black people employeed by the Sheriff  department.  Take a look at the picture at the bottom.

  by pessullivan on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 09:29:07 AM PDT

•  Guntersville

  This idiot's office is in Guntersville, the northeast portion of the state, where there are fewer black folks, so one can cut him a smidge of slack with regard to the number of black folks in the picture.  

  You should also note that it is close to Scottsboro; you will recall the Scottsboro Boys and remember that this is the area of Alabama where the Klan has always had its biggest hold.  Thus, a good reason for there to be fewer black folk.  Not coincendentally, it's also a very religious area, known for it's pentacostal churchs--lots of snake handlers.

  by Cracker on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 10:05:05 AM PDT

•  Is there any...

  contact info available for this fucking putz?

  by Maryscott OConnor on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 10:19:48 AM PDT

  •  From Americablog

    John Avarosis of Americablog has a post up, and provides this contact information:

    Sheriff: Mac Holcomb
    425 Blount Avenue
    Guntersville, AL 35976
    Phone: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]

    And while you're at, file a complaint with the Alabama Secretary of State.
    Phone for AL Att. Gen.'s "Public Corruption" office: 334-353-8494

    by MAJeff on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 10:32:14 AM PDT

    •  thanks Jeff

      I'll include that info on my blog as well.

      Pam's House Blend

      by pamindurham on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 11:39:23 AM PDT

      •  Thank John

        not me...He posted it, i just brought it over here.

        by MAJeff on Wed Jan 12, 2005 at 12:01:57 PM PDT