NC GOPer Compares Gays To Pedophiles In Debate Over LGBT Discrimination

CATHERINE THOMPSON – JUNE 25, 2014, 7:53 AM EDT
A Republican lawmaker in North Carolina compared gays to a whole slew of sexual disorders, including pedophilia and bestiality, in a debate about LGBT discrimination Tuesday on the state House floor.

During the discussion, state House Speaker Pro Tempore Paul "Skip" Stam passed around a handout featuring information from the American Psychiatric Association that listed pedophilia and bestiality as "sexual orientations," according to Raleigh TV station WRAL. The chamber was debating a proposed amendment to a bill on charter school modifications that would bar discrimination based on "sexual orientation or gender identity" in both hiring and admissions.

"Sexual orientation is not defined anywhere. I have here 30 different types of sexual orientation," Stam said, as quoted by WRAL. "I thought we should exclude pedophilia, masochism, and sadism, which are sexual orientations."

Stam did not mention that the information in his handout, which dated back to 2000, had been updated in the APA manual to classify those attractions as "disorders" rather than "orientations," according to the news station.

Some members of the House took issue with Stam's handout, including state Rep. Marcus Brandon (D), the only openly gay member of the North Carolina legislature.

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