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Missouri Republican Lawmaker Comes Out, Denounces “Don’t Say Gay” Bill

Posted by on May 2, 2012 in This Day In Gay | 8 comments

Republican Missouri House member Zachary Wyatt came out today, and encouraged lawmakers withdraw support of HB2051, a bill that prohibits the discussion of sexual orientation in public schools.

Rep. Zachary Wyatt, a 27-year-old cattle farmer from the rural northern Missouri town of Novinger, said the legislation had motivated him to disclose his sexual orientation publicly for the first time. Wyatt was joined by nine other Democratic and Republican lawmakers in denouncing Missouri legislation that would prohibit teaching, extracurricular activities or materials that discuss sexual orientation, unless they relate to the scientific facts about human reproduction.

“I will not lie to myself anymore about my own sexuality,” Wyatt said during a news conference at the state Capitol. “I am still the same person that I was when I woke up this morning and I will be the same person when I go to bed tonight. Today I ask you to stand with me as a proud Republican, a proud veteran and a proud gay man who wants to protect all kids addressing bullying in our schools.”

…Opponents have dubbed the legislation the “don’t say gay” bill. They contend it could forbid teachers from uttering the words “gay” or “lesbian” in the classroom or talking about bullying that gay and lesbian students face from their peers. The legislation also appears to forbid school-sponsored “gay-straight alliance” groups, which advocate for gay and lesbian rights.

The lawmakers at Wednesday’s news conference called for the sponsor of the bill to withdraw the legislation.

While I could say a thing or two about the whole gay republican thing, I’m glad to see anyone in power take a stand against state-sponsored bigotry. Wyatt is apparently the only openly gay republican currently serving in a state legislature.

Rep. Steve Cookson, the sponsor of the bill, has stated he won’t back down that easily. I’m sure there is some sort of ridiculous religious mumbo-jumbo behind his reasoning.

“Those are personal issues that probably should be taught by people outside the school system,” he said. “We need to be focusing on what is going to provide students with the skills they need to be productive citizens in our society.”

Cookson insisted his bill does not explicitly ban the mention of specific words. He did not say whether he intends to ban school-sponsored “gay-straight alliance” groups.

We’re much better off letting out-dated, religious thinking run our government. Empathy and understanding are far more counterproductive than encouraging parents to beat their children for acting gay. Get over it, Steve. The times they are a-changin’.

Do you think there are more LGBTQ friends in state legislature who will come out after hearing this? When will religion no longer be seen as an acceptable reason to write oppression into state laws?

Small victories, I suppose. Thanks for your support, Zachary Wyatt. Let’s hope more lawmakers follow your example.

(via The Washington Post)