Democratic Arizona Senator Olivia Cajero Bedford called for a vote to remove openly gay Sen. Steve Gallardo from his post as the Senate’s minority whip this week, questioning his sexual orientation and insisting that he “act more gay.”
The comments were made during a caucus meeting yesterday, where her impromptu vote failed 3-8. She told the Capitol Times that she questioned his integrity because he is “just now saying he’s gay” and his “running for office and staying in leadership” is “a question of honesty.”
Sen. Gallardo came out last month after Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed a bill that would have allowed Arizona businesses to discriminate against customers based on sexual orientation. He told reporters that demonstrators protesting the bill outside his office inspired him to come out.
As for Cajero Bedford’s comments about his needing to “act more gay,” Gallardo tells the Capitol Times “what the hell that has to do with anything, I don’t know”:
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“She said that I should be more gay and she questioned my integrity. She said she was glad I came out (of the closet), but that I should be more gay. I’m more offended that she questioned my integrity.”
Cajero Bedford claims her comments were made in jest, saying “it was an attempt to be sort of neutral. I’m fine with him being gay or not.”
“It took people back,” Gallardo said. “It sucked the air out of the room.”
sonofabee
Arizona. Even the Dems there are crazy.
BradT
What a vile woman. The sun and heat in Arizona has fried all their brains. Democrats like her included.
viciouslies
Olivia is from a popular political family in Tucson and was elected to the Legislature pretty much based on her last name. I was in an advocacy job in Tucson from 2002-2004 when she was in her first term in the Arizona House and she was kind of looney back then. I can only imagine it’s gotten worse now that she’s in her seventies.
Jake357
Wonder how offended she’d be if someone told her to act more latina. Where your lowrider at, chola? Why don’t you pencil in some eyebrows about six inches up your forehead and put some big ol hoop earrings in to offset your outlined lips. Yeah, stereotypes aren’t fun, are they? Act more gay. What does that even mean???
DickieJohnson
@Jake357: That’s a good one! Gawd, AZ seems like MS, only with chili peppas!
Dwight
Just a joke? Who would say that as a “joke” at the same time you’re trying to strip someone of their position?
Did she ever give a “real” reason for wanting him removed from the leadership? What bout the others who voted against him?
Mezaien
To all of you sweet HOMOS. Tucson, is AZ and we will! become very Blue i.e. Democratic state without Phoenix. YES WE CAN!!
Ms Urethra Johnson
Florida, your move…
Saralikesyarr
What, is he supposed to talk with a lisp or something? Wear a pink suit? WTH?