A Republican Mississippi State Representative Really Hates Gay People

Earlier this month, the country was all abuzz with news that President Obama stands in support of gay marriage rights. Of course, amid new Internet trends and celebrations, there was a predictable right-wing media backlash.

One of the most spectacularly homophobic was the response of Mississippi State Representative Andy Gibson (Republican… of course):

Look at that part. How can you not trust a man with that deep a part?

Rep. Gipson came out with an impressively transparent reaction to Obama’s pro-gay marriage stance. He didn’t initially masquerade behind the whole “it will confuse and destroy children” argument or even “Next stop: Man On Chipmunk!” He went straight to the source:

Been a lot of press on Obama’s opinion on “homosexual marriage.” The only opinion that counts is God’s: see Romans 1:26-28 and Leviticus 20:13. Anyway you slice it, it is sin. Not to mention horrific social policy.

I don’t think I need to clarify which passages he is referring to, but for those of you new to the party, here is Romans 1:26-28 (KJV):

²⁶For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

²⁷And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

²⁸And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient

… and Leviticus 20:13 (KJV):

¹³If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Now, do I actually think that ole Andy is saying that we should put gay people to death? I doubt it. But this is a case of a representative putting his religious bigotry over the civil rights of his constituents. The only opinion that counts is God’s? I think some of the voters would beg to differ.

But don’t worry, everyone. The Gipsonator clarified that his view isn’t just Biblically based! It’s based in “facts”!

Sorry I’ve been busy and not had a chance to reply. David, in addition to the basic principal that it is morally wrong, here are three social reasons it’s horrific social policy: 1) Unnatural behavior which results in disease, not the least of which is its high association with the development and spread of HIV/AIDS; 2) Confusing behavior which is harmful to children who have a deep need to understand the proper role of men and women in society and the important differences between men and women, and fathers and mothers; and 3) Undermines the longstanding definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, a definition which has been key to all aspects of social order and prosperity. Anytime that definition is weakened our culture is also weakened. And yes, that is also true for other conduct which weakens marriage’s importance in society.

I don’t think I need to explain how most of that doesn’t really mean anything.

“Anytime that definition is weakend, our culture is also weakened”?

“… children… have a deep need to understand the proper role of men and women in society”?

Citations needed.

I think Unity MS puts it best:

Mr. Gipson needs to realize he represents all of his constituents. He should not cherry-pick which constituents he wants to work for. He should also realize his positions are neither popular nor Republican. LGBT individuals, couples, and families help pay Gipson’s salary. It’s important that he remember that.

If you live in Rankin, Smith, or Simpson country, we urge you to contact Representative Gipson and let him know he represents you. If you choose to contact Gipson, please be respectful. His contact information is below.

601-359-3770 (Capitol when in Session)

gipson.andy@gmail.com

agipson@house.ms.gov (e-mail)

Tainda

What is my PROPER role in society, Oh Great One? Should I wash your feet and chew your food for you? Do you look down on me because I’m a single woman who raised her daughter while she was going to school and made a comfortable living all on my own or do I just frighten you? I don’t need a man to make my life complete. I worship myself and my daughter and put NO ONE above us (until my granddaughter gets here that is lol). I taught my daughter what her proper role in society is, anything she can dream of!

EVERYONE on this earth should be free to love who they choose. Who are you to tell them they can’t?

Just for the record, I quite enjoy “working that which is unseemly” 😉 Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Tom

The “think of the children” one is just idiotic circular-logic to me. “We can’t make homosexual marriage socially acceptable or else our children might think it’s socially acceptable.”
T-Rex

This “dude”/piece of shit is setting off gaydar everywhere he goes. Probably goes home and night and flagelates himself for his impure thoughts. What a dick. Stay classy Mississippi.
Christoph Burschka

Leviticus 20:13

13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman,
both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to
death; their blood shall be upon them.

That’s incitement to murder. Lock him up.
Jennifer Keane (zenbuffy()

If the only opinion that counts is God’s, then why does Gipson think he needs to share his? Is he more special than God?
Onamission5

I’m still (and have been for decades) trying to understand how demonizing an entire segment of the population by lying about gay people, lying about gay sex, lying about the “effects” that their presence has on society and going out of ones way to relegate them to second class citizens by removing their civil rights, equates to “loving the sinner.”
Glasofruix

Oh he’s probably already smoking something much more powerful than that, which leads to more important questions: what is it and can i have some?
Prosepetals

He can shove his noise up his 3rd point of contact. I’m glad he quotes his 2,000-yr old holy book…but his JOB is not about that book. His JOB is about the Constitution. Last I checked, there was nothing in THAT document about legalizing discrimination.
Tiffany Jade Brown

This is why I’m ashamed to be a Mississippian. Because dumbasses like him keep opening his mouth. Seriously considering a relocation after grad school. But the other part of me wants to stay and rile things up.
CoboWowbo

That whole “loving the sinner” is bullshit.
Miss_Beara

In about 5 months time someone will find him with his pants down. He doth protest too much.
Tainda

When you find out let me know and don’t forget to share lol
Wild Rumpus

His index finger in the photo is longer than his ring finger.

http://www.unl.edu/rhames/courses/readings/homofinger/homo_finger.html

GAAAAAAAAAAY!
Wild Rumpus

Leviticus 19:19 “‘Keep my decrees. “‘Do not mate different kinds of animals. “‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. “‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.

Andy’s cheap suit is a polyester blend, I’ll bet you anything…
Brian Pansky

I thought you were going to conclude that with:

equates to “representing the people”

so I guess he fails at numerous aspirations in his life.
Stev84

The guy is a Baptist minister and was somehow elected to public office. So much for separation of church and state, but it’s hardly the only such case.
Krisula

When I was growing up Christian in the seventies, there seemed to be a lot of emphasis on separation, not being like ” the world”. The idea was, The rest of the world does their own thing but we are different.

Christians are free to ban homosexual marriage among their members (though depending on your stance on free will even that rule could be broken with no more consequence than being disfellowshipped). The peculiar and specific rules any religious group may follow naturally sets them apart and has no place in policy that would govern the whole of a disparate and diverse nation.

interestingly, my life as a middle class American atheist doesn’t look that different from when I was a middle class American Christian. The things that changed are mostly internal. ( though my Sundays are my own do do with as I please and my charitable giving can be funneled to worthwhile causes instead of being dumped into church upkeep). I feel the biggest difference has been less worrying about what I should and shouldn’t do because it seems easier,now to be good without odd unintuitive biblical edicts to account for.
fred5

Of course it is. But don’t forget that if it is a “closely held religious belief” than mundane civil laws and common decency don’t count for anything. Because, well, after all God said it didn’t he/she/it?
Matto the Hun

Funny that he’s so concerned about the well being of children when the Bible says disobedient children should be stoned to death. I mean, that’s God’s opinion and it’s the only one that counts right?

Maybe for the sake of the children, his should be taken into Child Protective Services.
Meghan ODonnell

If it makes you think like that guy, I’ll pass.
C Peterson

This is Mississippi. So it’s entirely likely that he (and many of his constituents) place the Bible before the Constitution- and act accordingly. It’s clear from his remarks, and from his lack of understanding of his role as a representative, that he has little respect for the Constitution. Of course, his views also reflect a lack of respect for the Bible!
TiltedHorizon

As long as they are taking rights away….

In the name of fairness I say that any Christian who gets divorced should be denied the ability to marry again. It is clearly defined in the ten commandments, which JC himself outlined in Matthew 19:3-9 by saying, “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Which means any claim of “irreconcilable differences” is BS and only the partner which did not indulge in extramarital nookie can remarry. As Adultery is explicitly listed in the commandments, this sin outweighs lesser sins.

While we are at it, Christians males of childbearing age should be forced to have vasectomies, reversible of course. The bible clearly states the role of woman is to serve man, as outlined in Timothy 5:14 & Titus 2:5 to name a few, therefore abortions and children born out of wedlock are the fault of men. Woman don’t seed themselves after all, it is not their fault if their masters are not being “True Christians®”.We cannot allow these to continue else our children will think that it is socially acceptable to divorce or to plant a seed that they are unwilling to sow.
Glasofruix

I just want to take a puff, not to breathe it permanently.
jeffj900

One thing I really dislike about facebook is that there is no icon you can click to “dislike” things. Adding a thumbs down icon next to the “like” icon would improve facebook immensely.
Onamission5

Which was my whole point. These sorts of christians love the “sinner” about as much as serial abusers love their victims.
TheAnalogKid

Why are you so sure Gipson doesn’t want homosexuals put to death? He’s probably jealous of this piece of shit;

http://youtu.be/d2n7vSPwhSU
Tim Miller

Would somebody please explain to me how this is ANY different than islamism, just wearing a different veil (so to speak)?

My neighbor voted for the reprehensible NC Amendment One because he voted per the bible. Enforcing one’s religious beliefs on others via governmental law is exactly what islamists want – and is exactly what christianists are doing.
Annie

That was incredibly frightening to watch.
Thackerie

I agree! If a “dislike” option were available, I might actually use Facebook.
Onamission5

Is it wrong of me that I keep seeing his picture, and envisioning him on the cover of some trashy mag in nipple clamps and red leather hot pants, with that aqua netted hair all out of place, and the same constipated look on his mug?

Methinks we’ll have a wide stance scandal on this one in no less than 6 months time… maybe a year, tops.
Aaron Scoggin

I’m just wondering what “proper role in society” means. There’s no clear-cut definition, and I doubt that he will provide one. I’m a man. Does that mean I should go work in the lumber mill for 12 hours, then come home to a nice hot meal on the table that my wife has prepared, and afterwards, get my feet rubbed by the warm fire?

As much as I’d like some of that, I would feel like complete trash, and I’m not particularly fond of slavery. I’m a man, which means I come home, play with and clean up after my kids, clean the house, and give my wife a backrub.

So, Mr. Gipson, what exactly am I supposed to be doing, oh wise one?
ruth

I wish people would quit assuming that anti-gay people like Gibson are closeted gays. The evidence of that is extremely iffy. Remember, we are supposed to be skeptics here.
Margaret Whitestone

Not only that, but it just reinforces the notion that gay=bad when people use it as a pejorative for their enemies.
Margaret Whitestone

It’s amazing how some people think that if we don’t do everything exactly the same forever and ever the world will fall apart. They don’t even realize the world has changed drastically since their book of fables was written, it changed throughout their lives and it’s changing as we speak–and still it hasn’t imploded. It must be terrible to live in such fear of reality.
Scott Rhoades

I think we really need to play up the meme that the more you protest against gay rights the more likely you are to be a self-hating homosexual yourself. We need to get Republicans to the point where they are more afraid of being seen as gay themselves if they use anti-gay language than if they silently let gay rights progress. Use their own warped fears against them.
Rich Wilson

So within the last week, we’ve had a pastor, a politician, and a journalist and/or boxer quoting Leviticus 20:13. I think we need a new rule. If you think Leviticus is any kind of guide to social policy, you need to get in the feckin’ sack.
Corey

i personally believe this man and everyone else has a right to say whatever they want in the public arena. in tax funded arena, different story. i support this because i want to right to continue saying that i believe all conservative christians should be round up and eliminated. what kind of person would i be if i expect others to do what i myself wouldnt do? im not a preacher or politician, i am just your average, everyday American, who does not get special rights and protectiong from the law like politicans and religious folks…..people like me, we just want equal rights, and if we can’t get them in all aspects of our lives, atleast we can fall back on the “Free Speech” protections mentioned on the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights.
Fsq

This stupid in-bred fuck opened the old testament door. Slay this fucker using his own damn book.

Get the good shit brushed off the old testament folks and skewer this disgusting, horrid homophobic piece of southern shit.

And once again, the south….why always the damn south….
Fsq

Following those lines, since many christians want to claim that all life is sacred (you can tell which ones believe this, because they are the ones with the support our troops stickers on the car….go figure) and they also now have Arizona claiming life begins two weeks before conception.

So, here are some questions for the idiots….

Do they believe sex is only for procreation?
Do they fuck post menopausal wives?
Do they believe sperm is the foundation of life?

If they believe this stuff, the question then becomes, if they get blown by someone, and the blower swallows, should that person be brought up in canabilsm charges?
Stev84

Something like Godwin’s Law
R. Lee Bays

This guy made my ridiculist this week! http://southernhumanist.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/ridiculist-mississippi-lawmaker-andy-gipson/

But I have a theory: fundies like Tony Perkins, Andy Gipson, Sean Harris, etc.
advance secular humanism by promoting biblically accurate bigotry
Richmeister

This dude is an arsehole! Am I allowed to post that? Too late.

(and im not apologizing)
Lollipop

I’d say it’s not being used as a perjorative – just pointing out hypocrisy. Certainly, plenty of anti-gay people are not gay. But anecdotally, it does seem that the most vehemently hateful anti-gay politicians and preachers eventually end up getting caught … coming on to male pages, paying for male prostitutes, etc.