Here in TN - homophobia strikes the TN legislature -- AGAIN!
After the 2004 election, my Democratic Senator to the TN legislature, incumbent JoAnn Graves, was rather unexpectedly unseated by the repug, Diane Black. One of the first things Ms. Black did was introduce legislation that would ban homosexual men and women from adopting children. The legislation has yet to make its way out of committee, but the homophobia that drives it is alive and well and finding a very public voice in Rep. Debra Maggart. I hope her outspokenness on this issue will be her demise.
If we thought Diane Black was bad -- and we did (we
do!) -- Debra Maggart is every bit her homophobic equal. Quoting a headline on the local News Channel 5 website,
"Some Gay Couples Adopt to Molest, State Rep Says" Yup, that's what she thinks, she's on record on this, and she's sticking to her warped opinion.
The recent controversy began when a graduate student at Vanderbilt emailed legislators, asking them not to pass legislation that would ban homosexual from being foster parents or adopting. In her response, Ms. Maggot Maggart said,
"I am not convinced that just because our foster children desperately need loving homes that we should just place them in homes that are available when research also shows that most homosexual couples have numerous emotional dysfunctions and psychological issues that may not be healthy for children."
The GLBT publication,
Out In Nashville has the
story.
But it didn't stop there. When interviewed by the Tennessean,
The representative stood by the statement in a recent interview. "I don't wish to discriminate against anyone ... but (gays) have issues. That's my opinion," she said.
Her most abhorent statements were made in a Channel 5 news interview.
Rep. Debra Maggart, R-Hendersonville, said she still believes homosexual couples should not be allowed to adopt children. In fact, in addition to e-mail correspondence with a master's student at Vanderbilt publicized recently, in which she said as much, she has also said homosexual couples may molest the children they adopt.
"We also have seen evidence that homosexual couples prey on young males and have, in some instances, adopted them in order to have unfretted access to subject them to a life of molestation and sexual abuse," she said.
This woman must not be allowed to win re-election!! I am hoping that just as this has "galvanized the gay community," (quoting Chris Sanders, board spokesman for the Tennessee Equality Project.), it will also galvanize the progressive community in Tennessee -- and here on DK.
Here in Sumner County, we have a good, progressive, brave Democrat who has chosen to run against Maggart: Patrick Gardner. While nationally the Democratic party boasts a 50-state strategy (in an attempt to give up no state without a fight), the TNDP doesn't seem to have followed the national party's lead. Because this area has a repug majority, compounded by a low Democratic voter turnout, the TNDP believes that no Democrat can beat Maggart. So, until Patrick can raise $100,000, the Tennessee Democratic Party will not consider him a viable candidate. No small amount!
I am appealing to the DK community to help support Patrick financially. His website is not up yet, but he can be reached via email at electpg at comcast dot net. Anyone who would like to offer their expertise as a webmaster/webdesigner should also contact him!
Stay strong! Be generous!! Unseat despicable repugs!!!