North Carolinians across the state have been seeing news stories pushing back on the state’s highest ranking North Carolina Republican, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson’s hateful comments about the LGBTQ+ community.
Democrats from the White House to the statehouse have denounced these comments. Additionally, faith leaders, and a handful of Republican staff have taken to twitter to share their discomfort with his statements. Yet, the NC GOP and other Republican leaders have stayed silent, despite Robinson doubling down on his remarks.
North Carolina Senate Democratic Leader Dan Blue believes that his comments are “hateful,” “serve to divide North Carolina,” and not indicative of the “kind of leader this state deserves.” — and North Carolinians agree. Just this year 10 municipalities across the state have passed new measures to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination, legislation that 67% of North Carolinians support.
Here’s a look at what North Carolinians are seeing in the news about the state’s highest ranking Republican.
“The Biden White House condemned on Friday North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s comments calling “transgenderism” and homosexuality “filth.” “These words are repugnant and offensive,” said Andrew Bates, White House deputy press secretary and a native of North Carolina, in a statement. “The role of a leader is to bring people together and stand up for the dignity and rights of everyone; not to spread hate and undermine their own office.”
WRAL: Editorial: They are our children, siblings, friends. They are not ‘filth’
“They are our sisters, our brothers, our parents, our children and our neighbors. But to North Carolina’s Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, they are “filth.”…Like other bullies called to account for their actions, he dodges, deflects and doesn’t, as he promised, take responsibility. He doesn’t explain why he said those people are filth. He does exploit the controversy and hate he ignited with a video that includes sexually explicit images on his campaign Facebook website. He used it to send an email fundraising appeal.”
“North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is defending comments he made about homosexuality and transgenderism months ago. “I will not back down, I will not be silent and I will not be bullied into submission,” Robinson said in a video posted over the weekend. While speaking to members of Asbury Baptist Church in Seagrove, Robinson called transgenderism and homosexuality “filth.””
“When she first heard Robinson’s comment, Allison Scott of the Asheville-based nonprofit Campaign for Southern Equality said her thoughts went to LGBTQ young people who are experiencing prejudice because of their identities. “For some of them, it starts taking away their hope that things are going to change or even can change,” said Scott, who is transgender. “And that’s scary.” Scott said Robinson’s words illustrate why more local governments should push for more LGBTQ anti-discrimination ordinances.”
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC senator demands Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson resign for calling homosexuality ‘filth’
““North Carolina is a welcoming state where we value public education and the diversity of our people,” said Jordan Monaghan, spokesman for Gov. Roy Cooper. “It’s abhorrent to hear anyone, and especially an elected official, use hateful rhetoric that hurts people and our state’s reputation.” Attorney General Josh Stein said hate has no place in the state. “Every single person in our state deserves respect — not only because it’s right, but because it’s necessary to build the kind of future we want for North Carolina,” Stein tweeted. Senate Democratic leader Dan Blue said in a statement Friday afternoon that Robinson’s comments do not reflect the views of Senate Democrats, who stand with and value the LGBTQ community. “At best, Robinson’s comments reinforce the need to better fund our schools so that we can ensure that students are not taught to hate each other for their differences,” Blue wrote. “It is our hope that no educator would ever teach their students to consider another person to be ‘filth’. The Human Rights Commission, the oldest LGBTQ organization in the country, called for Robinson’s resignation Friday evening. Equality NC also put out a statement on Twitter reminding the LGBTQ community that they are valid and worthy.”
NBC NEWS: N.C. lieutenant governor faces calls to resign for calling LGBTQ people ‘filth’
“LGBTQ advocates have said that views like Robinson’s don’t represent the majority of North Carolinians. So far this year, 10 municipalities have passed measures that protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in public accommodations, employment and more. A 2019 poll from Public Policy Polling found that 67 percent of voters in North Carolina support such legislation, with 19 percent in opposition.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS: NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson criticized over anti-LGBT views
“Robinson’s critics say these remarks are only the latest examples of the discriminatory views he has espoused over the years. After the 2016 shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Robinson wrote on Facebook, “I pray for the souls of all those killed, healing for all those wounded, and comfort for the family members of the terrorist shooting in Orlando. However, homosexuality is STILL an abominable sin and I WILL NOT join in ‘celebrating gay pride’ nor will I fly their sacrilegious flag on my page.” In December 2016, Robinson criticized a National Geographic magazine cover titled “Gender Revolution” that displayed a 9-year-old transgender child. Robinson wrote, “The sick, deranged, sexual degenerates who promote this type of demonic behavior are the ones who will take the next step in our continuing moral decline toward total depravity. Free love, then homosexuality.” In 2017, Robinson wrote, “You CAN NOT love God and support the homosexual agenda.” Two years later, he chastised gender reassignment surgeries and accused parents of having “mentally raped” their transgender children. He also wrote in 2019 that “the same people who claim the new Rambo movie is (too) ‘manly’ are the same people who think it’s okay for the homecoming queen to BE a man.”
THE GUARDIAN: North Carolina lieutenant governor won’t resign over anti-LGBTQ+ remarks
“Joni Madison, interim president of the Human Rights Campaign, said Robinson should resign, for his “disgraceful, hateful statements directed at LGBTQ+ people”…“If Lieutenant Governor Robinson still doesn’t understand how anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is received in North Carolina,” she said, “he should ask former governor Pat McCrory.” In 2016 McCrory, a Republican, signed a so-called “bathroom bill” regarding the use of public and school restrooms by transgender people. The law led to a legal battle with the US Department of Justice and boycotts by corporate interests. It was rolled back under the present governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat.”
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