Someone tell this guy he’s not helping New Jersey’s reputation.
New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith, who has served in Congress since 1980, told a group of high school students that he thought orphanages provided a better upbringing for children as opposed to a loving household with gay parents. A student even caught the remarks on tape.
Smith stopped by Colts Neck High School to address his constituents and answer student questions. One student, Hannah Valdes, began recording the GOP Rep.’s answers after he made a remark about studies that show children with gay parents do not grow up healthy. On the contrary, studies have frequently shown that children growing up with loving, gay parents grow up just as healthy, happy and well-adjusted as kids with heterosexual parents. Valdes, who has a gay sister then decided to challenge Smith.
Related: That time disgraced GOP Rep. Wes Goodman fondled a male teen at an antigay fundraiser
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Valdes asked Smith if he thought her gay sister, somehow made a for a less “legitimate” parent because she’s in a relationship with another woman. At first Smith tried to dodge the question noting that the Supreme Court had legalized marriage equality, and that gay Americans have a right to adopt children under the law. In reality, a number of states have laws that allow religious organizations to deny adoptions to queer people.
Valdes continued to press the issue, asking if opposite-sex parents provided better care to children than gay parents. Smith’s answer: “Somebody mentioned orphanages before. I mean, orphanages are still a possibility for some kids.” At that point, administrators cut in to change the topic, but the Q&A derailed anyway. As students began to raise their hands with questions about what Smith had said, faculty abruptly ended the session. Colts Neck High has a number of out-LGBTQ students, and a LGBTQ club on campus.
Hannah Valdes later provided the recording to The Washington Blade, along with an explanation. Valdes explained that:
“Prejudice in our hallways is not tolerated, so it was shocking to have an elected official — a congressman no less — stand in front of hundreds of students, openly shaming the LGBT community. I knew that there were multiple students in the auditorium who were a part of the LGBT community, and that they were simply too scared to say anything to this congressman. In a situation like this, I just simply could not stay silent.”
Smith’s voting record includes support for a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality, laws permitting businesses to fire gay employees and opposition to gay adoption. He’s also supported an amendment that would allow the military to deny healthcare to transgender service members, and co-sponsored a bill that would allow for anti-LGBTQ discrimination on a federal scale.
Listen to the exchange:
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) was caught on tape saying orphanages for kids is better than gay adoption
Exclusive Video: Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) was caught on tape saying orphanages for kids is better than gay adoption. Read more here: https://goo.gl/rDfLKN
Posted by The Washington Blade on Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Kangol
Smith is a loyal Republican Trumpist and foot soldier for the white anti-gay right, but he represents a state in which the GOP got wiped out in the last year’s election, and it’s not looking bright for them in New Jersey this November, so please, support getting people to the polls this fall, and support Smith’s opponent if you want to send him packing.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
The What u see there is not a man. It is a piece of shiiit with arms , legs, and a head stuck into it….
Mack
There has got to be someone better in his district that can run against and beat him. Why must we continue to elect second class politicians?
chi312
He speaks from his religious convictions: he has been featured on the ultra conservative Catholic station EWTN…who have the pro-life, pro-hetero family, male priesthood, pray-pay-obey, “if you pee like Jesus you can like Jesus”, aka be a priest. You have been forewarned!
MaxTaste
He sounds like a loon.
Mikki
The GOP dude is a freak…
But let’s give a sounding round of applause for Hannah Valdes! She stood up for her gay sister and her LGBT friends. She’s part of the future, and with kids who have the strength to speak up when others can’t, that leaves me feeling a lot more secure that sh*tstains like this GOP loser will find their lopsided beliefs in a very tiny minority.
DCguy
So true!
James
So sick of these stupid idiots like Chris Smith.
djmcgamester
Way to go Hannah Valdes! It’s easy to hate until you’re face-to-face with the object of your dislike. Then it’s a lot of backpedaling.
DCguy
So what did we learn today?
We learned that if you ask politicians a difficult question your school will step in and end the session.