CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Antigay lightning rod Utah state senator Chris Buttars, said Friday that he was retiring immediately.
In a 1 a.m. speech on the Senate floor the ultraconservative legislator, who has been sharply criticized for racist and antigay statements, claimed he has stood for truth, but "there are other truths beyond the moral truths and one of them is human frailty." The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Buttars, 69, has been suffering from health problems including diabetes, and that his wife has been seriously ill as well.
In February 2009, after a closed-door meeting among senate Republicans, Buttars was removed from the Utah Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee and the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee for making homophobic remarks. In 8: The Mormon Proposition, a documentary on California's discriminatory Proposition 8, Buttars said that gays are "the greatest threat to America," and compared them to radical Muslims. "It's the beginning of the end," Buttars said. "Oh, it's worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide."
In a response to being censured, he wrote, "In recent years, registering opposition to the homosexual agenda has become almost impossible... Political correctness has replaced open and energetic debate. Those who dare to disagree with the homosexual agenda are labeled 'haters,' and 'bigots,' and are censured by their peers."
His apparent willingness to engage in open debate contradicts sharply with his stated philosophy: "I'm going to tell you where I stand and I don't want to know where you stand. You may not agree with me but you'll always know where I stand."
In February 2008, Buttars was condemned for speaking on the floor about a school-funding bill, saying, "This baby is black. It's a dark, ugly thing." The local NAACP called his words "despicable" and demanded his resignation.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 of the most batsh*t things N.C. Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson has said
September 19 2024 4:34 PM
True
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Trump ally Laura Loomer goes after Lindsey Graham: ‘We all know you’re gay’
September 13 2024 2:28 PM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Bowen Yang spills 'Wicked' tea on Fiyero's bisexuality
October 10 2024 3:45 PM
Our 2024 LGBTQ+ voter guide: What to know about candidates, how to vote and more
October 10 2024 3:41 PM
Intimacy coordinator ups the Sapphic steam in 'Agatha All Along'
October 10 2024 3:35 PM
Shirtless Lil Nas X teases new song and album 'dreamboy' release
October 10 2024 3:25 PM
Martina Navratilova and J.K. Rowling are attacking the U.N. for being trans-inclusive
October 10 2024 2:34 PM