National
And Pennsylvanian GLBT Civil Rights Groups Outraged at Sen. Rick Santorum’s
Deeply Discriminatory Remarks
Calls on Republican Leadership to Repudiate
Santorum’s Hurtful Remarks
Human
Rights Campaign, April 21, 2003
Contact: David M. Smith
Phone: (202) 216-1547
Cell: (202) 251-1447
Contact: Mark Shields
Phone: (202) 216-1564
Cell: (202) 258-3667
WASHINGTON—The Human Rights
Campaign today joined with other national and Pennsylvanian gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender civil rights organizations expressing outrage at
deeply discriminatory and insensitive remarks made by Sen. Rick Santorum
(R-Penn.). In an interview with the Associated Press, Santorum compares
homosexuality with bigamy, polygamy, incest and adultery. He also said that
homosexuality, feminism and liberalism undermine the family.
“Sen. Santorum’s remarks are deeply hurtful and play
on deep-seated fears that fly in the face of scientific evidence, common
sense, and basic decency. Clearly, there is no compassion in his
conservatism,” said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg.
“Discriminatory remarks like this fuel prejudice that can lead to violence
and other harms against the gay community. HRC is calling on Republican
leaders to take quick and decisive action to repudiate Sen. Santorum’s
remarks.”
Santorum is the Republican Party’s conference chairman,
the third highest seat in the GOP leadership. Santorum’s statements mark the
second time in recent months that a Republican leader has made comments
marginalizing or attacking an entire segment of the population. In December
2002, Sen. Trent Lott made remarks at Strom Thurmond’s 100th birthday party
that that many interpreted as supporting segregation.
In response to Lott’s deeply insensitive remarks, the
President said, “We must continue our advance toward full equality for every
citizen, which demands the guarantee for civil rights for all.” Sen. Lott
stepped down as Majority Leader shortly thereafter.
In today’s Associated Press story, Santorum, reportedly
fuming over the pending Supreme Court case that could ultimately invalidate
state sodomy laws, seems to directly contradict President Bush’s call for
equality by contending that states have the right to criminalize
homosexuality.
“HRC is calling on Republican leadership to demonstrate
that tolerance, and civil rights are important to them—not simply something
that is politically expedient,” said Stachelberg.
Last year, Republican Pennsylvania Governor Mark
Schweiker signed a bill adding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people
to Pennsylvania’s Ethnic Intimidation Act, which adds stiffer penalties for
crimes committed out of hate. The bill had previously passed the Republican
controlled state legislature.
“Clearly Sen. Santorum is not speaking for his
constituents when he attacks the gay community. Gay men and women in
Pennsylvania make valuable contributions to their communities, raise families,
own homes, pay taxes and live their lives the way other Americans do, and most
Pennsylvanians recognize that,” said Stachelberg.
According to the 2000 Census Report, there are more than
21,000 gay and lesbian coupled households in the state of Pennsylvania. There
are also news stories out today that Philadelphia, the largest city in
Pennsylvania, is marketing itself as a gay tourism destination.
HRC joined several Pennsylvania state groups, including
Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, the League of Gay and Lesbian Voters,
the Pennsylvania Log Cabin Republicans, OutFront, Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian
Alliance, Pennsylvania Gender Rights Coalition, Statewide Pennsylvania Rights
Coalition and others in condemning Santorum’s statements.
“Sen. Santorum claims to be a compassionate man, yet
his remarks show nothing but contempt for lesbian and gay people. If Senator
Santorum is really concerned with what’s best for American families, he
would show compassion and actively promote policies that support all families,
including lesbian and gay families,” says Stacey Sobel, Executive Director
of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights.
“Sen. Santorum’s remarks are disingenuous and smack
of the kind of pure political pandering to extreme right-wing groups that have
become his hallmark over the years,” said Chris Young, President of the
League of Gay and Lesbian Voters.
“The discriminatory remarks made by Senator Santorum
clearly do not reflect the compassionate conservatism as espoused by President
George Bush and the mainstream of the Republican Party. His insensitive
statements are neither pro-family nor truly conservative. They are simply
un-American,” said John Partain, of the Pennsylvania Log Cabin Republicans
“Sen. Santorum’s remarks grossly misrepresent the
people of Pennsylvania, who value tolerance and inclusion for the state’s
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community,” said Doug Shaps,
Executive Director of OutFront.
“It is shocking that any senator could so blatantly
disregard such a significant number of people from his own state.
Discrimination against any group of citizens based on who they are is simply
wrong, and the people of Pennsylvania know better,” said Steve Black,
Political Director of Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Alliance.
“Unfortunately it is not surprising to see these kinds
of comments from Sen. Santorum. He may describe himself as a ‘compassionate
conservative,’ but his harsh rhetoric demonstrates his hurtful contempt for
the GLBT community in Pennsylvania and across the country,” said Mara
Keisling, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Gender Rights Coalition.
“Sen. Santorum’s continued use of anti-gay rhetoric
within his political strategy will only prove to hurt the Republican Party and
his support in Pennsylvania. We strongly encourage Pennsylvanians to contact
Sen. Santorum and advocate on behalf of GLBT families living in
Pennsylvania.” stated Jennifer Storm, Managing Director of Statewide
Pennsylvania Rights Coalition.
HRC sent out an Action Alert to members encouraging them
to contact Sen. Santorum and express their views on his remarks.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian
and gay political organization with members throughout the country. It
effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the
public to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans can be
open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
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