During her confirmation hearing this morning, SCOTUS nominee Amy Coney Barrett implied that being gay is a choice when she repeatedly used the antiquated term “sexual preference” to dodge questions about marriage equality.
Asked by Sen. Dianne Feinstein about whether she shares the same homophobic beliefs as her legal mentor, the late Antonin Scalia, Barrett refused to answer the question, then said:
Senator, I have no agenda and I do want to be clear that I have never discriminated on the basis of sexual preference and would not ever discriminate on the basis of sexual preference. Like racism, I think discrimination is abhorrent. On the questions of law, however, I just, because I’m a sitting judge and because you can’t answer questions without going through the judicial process, can’t give answers to those very specific questions.
Related: Amy Coney Barrett refuses to answer questions about same-sex marriage, says “I can’t, and I’m sorry”
According to GLAAD’s official Media Reference Guide:
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The term “sexual preference” is typically used to suggest that being lesbian, gay or bisexual is a choice and therefore can and should be “cured.” Sexual orientation is the accurate description of an individual’s enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to members of the same and/or opposite sex and is inclusive of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, as well as straight men and women.
Gay Twitter was not having any of Barrett’s coded “sexual preference” nonsense.
Today, Judge Amy Coney Barrett used the 1970s term ‘sexual preference’ when discussing marriage equality.
Sexuality is not a choice, but homophobia is.
We need a Supreme Court justice who will uphold individual civil rights and civil liberties.
— Jamal Brown (@JTOBrown) October 13, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett bringing back “sexual preference” instead of “sexual orientation.” Not hiding her approach to LGBTQ+ rights. We are looking at a third vote to repeal marriage equality here.
— Robert J. DeNault (@robertjdenault) October 13, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett called my gayness a “preference” this morning but still thinks she’s qualified to judge whether or not I can marry and what counts as discrimination. 🤡🤡🤡
— Will Leonard (@WilliamCLeonard) October 13, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett doesn’t understand that sexuality isn’t a “preference.” You are born with it.
An example of a preference would me not wanting her homophobic, discriminatory mind on the court.
— Laurie Crosswell (@lauriecrosswell) October 13, 2020
The fact that Amy Coney Barrett has used the outdated, loaded term “sexual preference” rather than “sexual orientation” (as if we had a preference: Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip, paper or plastic) clearly is indicative of where she stands. I predict tough times ahead for LGBTQIA. 🏳️🌈
— David Tomb (@FlyDKTomb) October 13, 2020
A photo of my wife and I just reflecting on our “sexual preferences”. #AmyConeyBarrett pic.twitter.com/GdwHyypKGQ
— Grace Semler Baldridge (@GraceBaldridge) October 13, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett allegedly won’t discriminate against LGBTQ+ people but called it “sexual preference” at this morning’s questioning. That’s because even though she may not “discriminate” she sure as hell will use the law to do so. #BlockBarrett #SCOTUSHearing
— Preston “Just An Adjunct Professor of Law” Mitchum (@PrestonMitchum) October 13, 2020
It’s been more than 2 hours since ACB referred to LGBT using the term “sexual preference” and I can’t get it out of my head. It’s pejorative, disrespectful & always used in a calculated way to reinforce discrimination. And this person may be deciding my rights??? #AmyConeyBarrett
— Hollin B (@HollinBrave) October 13, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett’s kids will have to hide their “sexual preference” if it is anything other than straight.
— Vicki S 🌊🌊🇺🇸🐱🐘🦒 (@Blondie6312) October 13, 2020
Y’know what? I’m totally down for packing courts with people who understand, at the bare minimum, that my identity isn’t merely a preference. #AmyConeyBarrett
— Jarrett Lee Clark (@JarrettOfArk) October 13, 2020
Somebody please pass to Amy Coney Barrett that me being gay is not a fucking preference
Choosing chocolate ice cream over vanilla is a preference
Being gay is who I am. Me loving who I love, it just is
I understand she doesn’t get it. Because she obviously prefers not to
— WTFGOP? #BidenHarris2020 (@DogginTrump) October 13, 2020
Amy Coney Barrett referring to sexual orientation as “sexual preference” is really all I need to know about this woman.
— Hannah Spengler (@spengs) October 13, 2020
In addition to frequently citing Scalia as one of her greatest influencers and using terms like “sexual preference” when talking about LGBTQ people, Barrett has close ties to the antigay hate group Alliance Defending Freedom, where she has given five paid speeches over the past decade. The group’s leader, Michael Farris, attended her nomination ceremony on September 26 that resulted in several members of the White House, including Donald Trump, contracting coronavirus.
Related: WATCH: Mayor Pete destroys Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in one gay swoop
Cam
Of COURSE Trump nominated an anti-LGBTQ bigot.
michael_totzke
No no no no NO … a thousand times NO !!!
Kieran
I was surprised to hear her use the term “sexual preference” instead of “sexual orientation”. That is concerning and raises a red flag. She needs to be questioned about her views on sexual orientation. So far none of the Senators have done that.
Kangol2
Were and are you really surprised, Kieran? Where have you been the last four years? Don the Treasonous Con has packed numerous anti-LGBTQ judges on the federal courts. Were you asleep or just so dazzled with Don the Tax Cheat Con’s single gay pal, the disastrous ambassador Richard Grenell, that you missed all the anti-LGBTQ crap he’s been doing?
Mister P
They have to mischaracrerize being LGBTQ in order to vilify us. They know that being honest won’t work.
SPEEDOSWIMMER
Homophobic khunt
Kangol2
This woman is a far-right, anti-LGBTQ religious extremist. She is also a perfect exemplar of Trumpism and every toxic thing this man, his administration and the GOP have wrought over the years. Yet again they have left the US in a shambles, with a pandemic raging, a shattered economy, debt through the roof, and US alliances in tatters. The difference this time is they replaced Nero (W Bush) with Caligula (Don the Con).
Don the Corrupt Con is a deeply unpopular president whom a majority of Americans voted against in 2016 and will do so again in 2020. Despite this, and despite lacking any mandate when he slipped into office with Russia’s help, he is brazenly trying to install someone he hopes will turn us back to the 1850s and help him steal the election. That she’s an anti-gay bigot is just another dollop of ice cream to his extremist supports.
Josh447
Hi kangal, I noticed you did not respond to my response to you concerning they them and dictionaries and downloads. Is there some reason you have chosen not to respond? I’m interested in your views.
Josh447
I do understand. Vigorous debate is not for the weak minded.
paul dorian lord fredine
somebody tell her being gay or lesbian is not ‘a preference’. being top or bottom, on the other hand….
Fname Optional Lname
Funny how in 1998 she wrote a law review article where she suggested that she should recuse herself from capital punishment cases due to her religious beliefs however that does not seem to be the case when she considers matters concerning the LGBTQ community, hmmmmm
Do you know why? Because she is a lying bigot!
Liquid Silver
Of course not, and of course they will. So pack the damn courts. Forget restoring the filibuster for judges. Spend two years making this pinch.
Also, let’s not forget statehood for Puerto Rico and DC to assure that Dems dominate the Senate for the foreseeable future, and make sure that we get four Dem Senators assured. Forget “fairness,” pack the districts appropriately.
Dansktex
I am convinced that anyone who says that being gay is a choice must be bisexual. Only a bisexual would be able to consider it being a choice that they avoided.
vinnieboiblue
Stupid twit. Being gay or bisexual is not a choice. People are born that way. If she believed in God, she would know God does not make mistakes especially when it comes to people. He made people in every way, shape, form, color and orientation. Only choice people make is whether they’re open about it, be it with family, friends or employment. She is unsuitable to serve on the bench when she cannot or refuses to answer questions regarding rights and the law as it is written. If one wants to write laws, withdraw from serving on the bench and become a politician.
Chrisk
“I have never discriminated on the basis of sexual preference and would not ever discriminate on the basis of sexual preference. ”
You could use that same argument for pediphile rights and I’m sure she’s not kosher with that. She’s not a very clever bigot.
Yooper
The devolving continues. VOTE.
rocknstan
Liars, all.
Remember when Beer Boy Kavanaugh said that he would not challenge “established law”?
F’ing B.S.
The first thing that Clarence Thomas and Kavanaugh will do is attempt to overturn gay marriage.
The term, “sexual preference” is so antiquated that what we have here is a super shrill dog whistle to the “right,” folks.
wikidBSTN
Does she refer to Blacks as “coloreds”?
scdel
Even more important than her use of antiquated nomenclature is the fact, when asked by Sen. Feinstein if a president could delay an election, she went into an involved defining of a process that would be required before she could make a decision. The answer to the question is a simple NO. The constitution clearly states that the election is to take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. Any deviance would have to be cleared through a vote of Congress. It is astounding that a nominee for the Supreme Court of the United States is so ignorant of Constitutional parameters. Her nomination is a sham and a disgrace.
tjr101
Did people really not see this coming? It’s so shocking really that people can be so clueless. Elections have consequences, so take the time and look back at 2016 when you were bitching about Hillary and how corrupt you thought she was and how you were not “passionate “ but her and realize you were naive and missing the big picture.
GayEGO
Oh puhleeze! Amy Croney Barrett thinks it is a choice? How stupid! We are naturally born as who we are and it is the religious bigots who think we have a choice, not people who believe in science, love, and inclusiveness!
msfrost
Religion, is a choice, but sexual orientation, is not!
jthomasmpls
She didn’t imply, it was inferred. Big difference.
For what’s it’s worth, I’m bisexual, and I have a preference.
Jason
Joe Biden said “sexual preference” in May. EVERYONE can just take a seat now.