Some good news out of Florida. Not one but two members of the Florida State House of Representatives who were recently ensnared in antigay scandals lost their primaries this week.
Republican state Rep. Mike Hill lost his primary to opponent Michelle Salzman by seven points. Meanwhile, Democrat state Rep. Al Jacquet lost his primary to opponent Omari Hardy by a whopping 17 points.
Last year, Hill drew widespread criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike after he laughed when a constituent suggested imposing the death penalty on men who have sex with other men then joked, “I wonder how that would go over?”
Despite a widely circulated audio recording of the moment, Hill tried denying it happened, saying he was the victim of a “social media lynching” at the hands of “trash media.”
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Jacquet came under fire last month after he attacked Hardy, who was raised by two moms, by calling him a “batty boy,” a homophobic slur used in many Caribbean nations, and accusing him of being gay.
After a backlash ensued, Jacquet apologized for his homophobic remarks, saying, “In the heat of the moment, I said something I should not have said. I apologize for my words that have offended some of my colleagues.”
Unfortunately for him, his half-hearted apology wasn’t enough to sway Democrats into keeping him on their ticket.
Both Hardy and Salzman are expected to win the general election in November.
Seeing Florida voters from both parties reject homophobia is definitely encouraging. Here’s hoping the streak continues this fall.
Related: Lawmaker with history of using antigay slurs swears he didn’t call opponent “gay” on the radio
Kangol2
Good riddance to both, and props to the voters who saw right through them and said “No thanks!”
Essie
Well, Go Florida!!! It’s a start.
ThinkPIease
This is why that fake new pride flag should not be accepted!
charlietex
When you refer to a Democrat, in reference to their party, the term to use is Democratic. You don’t say the Democrat candidate. The term is the Democratic candidate. You don’t call a Republican the Republic candidate. Seriously, Republicans coined this term about 10 years ago as a derogatory usage.
Invader7
Here’s to KARMA. It’s a bitch. Whether these BLACK /African-American A-HOLES are Democratic or Republicans , it would so fitting they ALL get Corona virus &/or Covid-19 and DIE. The Universe has amazing powers. Now these 2 pea brained dimwits are toast. Good riddance , you low life, sleazy ,slimy , mean spirited d-bags ! And I bet $10,000 these dudes are on the DL and getting corn holed every chance they can. It’s ALWAYS the “men” with externalized homophobia that are internally /secretly getting PHUCKED /BANGED at the local /out of town “ADULT” establishments.