Lawmaker Suggests He'd Drown His Own Children If They Were Gay

West Virginia Republican Eric Porterfield

Continuing his attacks on the LGBTQ community, a West Virginia lawmaker suggested he would drown his own children if he found out they were gay.

West Virginia delegate Eric Porterfield sat down with local NBC affiliate WVVA to discuss his homophobic comments made last week where he called the LGBTQ Community “a modern day version of the Klux Klan.”

WVVA’s Rachel Anderson asked Porterfield what he would do if his “adorable daughter” or “precious son” came out to him as gay?

Proudly wearing a red MAGA hat, the first term lawmaker replied, with a wide smile, “Well, I would dress my daughter first, as I would take her for a pedicure, I’d take her to get her nails done, and see if she could swim.”

“If it was my son, I would probably take him hunting, I would take him fishing, then I’d see if he could swim,” he added, again flashing a chilling smile.

After a pause, Anderson asked Porterfield to clarify what he meant by “see if they could swim?”

“I just want to make sure they could swim,” he reiterated and then again beamed with a smile.

Anderson, clearly flustered, asked one more time, “What do you mean?”

“That’s just it - I’d take them out to do activities,” said Porterfield.

What would Del. Porterfield do if his son thinks he's gay or if his daughter thinks she's a lesbian? He would "see if they can swim." It's disturbing how quickly the WVVA reporter moves on. pic.twitter.com/ESb3EswfZz

— Jake Jarvis (@JakeJarvisWV) February 11, 2019

Porterfield found himself in the national spotlight last Wednesday when he vociferously advocated for an amendment to a bill that would have prohibited local towns and cities from passing their own anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ people.

West Virginia has no statewide protections for LGBTQ citizens.

Debating the legislation, Porterfield called anti-discrimination laws “bigoted,” “intolerant,” and “discriminatory.”

“The LGBT is the most socialist group in this country,” he said. “They do not protect gays. There are many gays they persecute if they do not line up with their social ideology.”

He also used the word “faggot” during the debate while referencing the speaking tour of controversial homocon, Milo Yiannopoulos.

Speaking to The New York Daily News on Monday, Porterfield adamantly stood by his comments, saying, “I stand by my statements; I double down on my statements.”

“They’re the closest thing to political terrorism in this country,” he said of the LGBTQ community. “If you don’t agree with them or give them their way, they’ll intimidate you, threaten you and bully you. They want people’s freedom to be restricted.”

WVVA reports West Virginia’s GOP Chairwoman Melody Potter has issued a statement denounced his comments, describing them as “hateful, hurtful, and do not reflect the values of our country.”

“As West Virginians, we are taught to respect one another, love our neighbors, and when we disagree to seek understanding of our fellow Mountaineers.

In recent days, Delegate Eric Porterfield has made comments that are hateful, hurtful, and do not reflect the values of our country, our state, and the Republican Party.

These comments are unacceptable and we denounce them. They have no place in America.

We may disagree on policy, politics, and the direction of our state, but we can disagree civilly and respectfully because intolerant and hateful views hold us back, divide us, and hurt our state.”

Podcast: Children Of Gay Parents, Trump On HIV, West Virginia & Wyoming

In this week's podcast:

• Donald Trump says he wants to eliminate the HIV epidemic within 10 years

• A state senator in Wyoming compared being gay to bestiality when she met with LGBTQ youth

• A new study indicates children raised by same-sex parents do better in school

• And, for the first time ever, a Disney character ever says the words “I’m gay”

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

West Virginia Lawmaker Calls LGBTs "Socialists" And Compares Them To The KKK

Eric Porterfield (image via Porterfield campaign)

Things got heated in the West Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday when first-term Delegate Eric Porterfield advocated for an amendment to House Bill 2699 that would have prohibited local municipalities from adding nondiscrimination ordinances that protect sexual orientation and gender identity.

Porterfield defended the amendment saying, "As legislators, I don't think it's our job to legislate behavior," according to MetroNews.

"This is discrimination against the first amendment and religious liberty, and the LGBT is the most socialist group and they don’t protect gays," he added.

He also said the word 'faggot' as he referenced the speaking tour of infamous homocon Milo Yiannopoulous, "Dangerous Faggots Tour."

To be clear, the word was chosen by Yiannopoulos, not Porterfield, for the title of the tour. But his colleagues objected to the use of the word much like folks would object to the use of the n-word.

On Friday, Porterfield continued his attacks on the LGBTQ community, telling the Charleston Gazette-Mail: “The LGBTQ is a modern day version of the Ku Klux Klan, without wearing hoods with their antics of hate.”

The Gazette-Mail went on to add that Porterfield called the LGBTQ community a "terrorist group," and that he is being “persecuted” by the gay community in retaliation for his hateful comments.

Porterfield alleges he has received threats on Facebook and voicemails.

He took to his Facebook to write:

“Last night and today, members of the LGBTQ have exercised hate crimes and threatened my safety. We have reported this to the Capitol Police in Charleston and I would like all of my friends to pray for the safety of me and my family. These vicious monsters are proving that they are the most bigoted and discriminatory people in America. Though they try to intimidate and bully and try to strike fear to me and my family, we ask the Lord to help us stand tall against their persecution and their leftist minions within the legislature.”

Porterfield, a Baptist preacher, heads up an organization called Blind Faith Ministries. The name is a reference to Porterfield being vision-impaired.

West Virginia Democrats have called for the freshman Delegate's resignation over his inflammatory comments and language.

Democrats say the newly elected Del. Eric Porterfield, a Republican from fro Mercer County, should resign for the anti-LGBT comments he made this week. pic.twitter.com/5dG7a8wfl5

— Jake Jarvis (@JakeJarvisWV) February 8, 2019

Asst Principal Bullies Trans Student In Bathroom "If You Can't Use This Urinal, You Shouldn't Be In Here"

(image via Depositphotos)

An assistant principal at a West Virginia high school has been suspended after a complaint was filed alleging he had bullied a transgender male student in a bathroom.

Late last month, before boarding a bus for an after-school marching band trip, 15-year-old Michael Critchfield went to the boys bathroom and asked if anyone was present before entering a stall. As a trans boy, he had made a habit of checking to avoid potential confrontations.

Critchfield and his parents have been open with the school administration, since he began attending as a freshman last year, that he is transgender.

According to Critchfield, Liberty High School assistant principal Lee Livengood entered the bathroom and began harassing the student from outside the stall.

Critchfield says Livengood yelled, “Why are you in here? You shouldn’t be in here.”

Livengood reportedly misgendered Critchfield continually and ordered him to “come out here and use the urinal” to prove he was a boy.

“If you can’t use this urinal, then you shouldn’t be in here,” Livengood yelled, according to Critchfield. “What if a student said you were checking them out in here?”

Critchfield later told the ACLU of West Virginia he felt “degraded and discriminated against.”

According to The Huffington Post, other students could hear the screaming coming from the bathroom and alerted a parent who was acting as a chaperone that day.

The chaperone confronted the assistant principal outside the bathroom where Livengood allegedly admitted in front of Critchfield, “Not going to lie. You freak me out.”

When Caroline Critchfield picked up her son later that day, she found Michael terrified and traumatized.

The mother addressed the issue with Liberty High School administrators the next day where she was told Livengood would not have any further contact with her son and that an investigation would be launched into the matter.

But after several weeks, no update was forthcoming from the administration.

Additionally, Livengood would reportedly station himself in the cafeteria during Michael’s lunch period, which he hadn’t done before.

The family reached out to the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia for help regarding the incident.

We’re representing a transgender hs student that was bullied by an asst. principal in the boys restroom. Today, we sent a letter to Harrison County Schools demanding resolution. Every child deserves a learning environment free from harassment. https://t.co/RDP2rLLWcL

— ACLU of WV (@ACLU_WV) December 17, 2018

‘It shocks the conscience that they’ve apparently taken no steps to discipline Mr. Livengood on this,’ ACLU-WV Executive Director Joseph Cohen told The Daily Beast.

After sending a letter to the superintendent of Harrison County Schools, Dr. Mark A. Manchin, requesting a meeting about the altercation, neither the Critchfields nor the ACLU received a response.

That is, until the media began reporting on the incident.

On Tuesday this week, Manchin told local media that Livengood would be suspended without pay until 2019.

“I was able to confirm the interaction with Mr. Livengood and that indeed he acted inappropriately,” Manchin told West Virginia MetroNews. “We need to address it and we will address it.”

With the Christmas holiday next week, that suspension ‘without pay until 2019' amounts for four days.

“While we are heartened to hear the administration admit to wrongdoing, a four day paid suspension of an employee is not sufficient,” Cohen said in a public statement. “The Harrison County School District needs to make significant changes to its culture.”

Cohen’s statement continued, “We look forward to meeting with Mr. Manchin and developing a real plan to ensure that every student is safe.”

BREAKING: In response to #ACLUWV letter, Harrison County Superintendent says Asst. Principal Livengood has been suspended with pay. Read our full statement below. pic.twitter.com/QalTuxIYgy

— ACLU of WV (@ACLU_WV) December 18, 2018

Cohen also underscored how the issue of harassment of transgender teens is literally a life or death issue as the American Academy of Pediatrics published a study earlier this year indicating 51 percent of trans male adolescents had attempted suicide.

West Virginia Sees Surprise Results In Welfare Drug Testing

Back in 2015, a representative for the National Conference of State Legislatures informed lawmakers in West Virginia that drug testing of low-income people applying for welfare aid historically results in very few positive tests.

But, the West Virginia lawmakers went on to pass a welfare drug-testing law by a large margin anyway in the next legislative sessions.

Those who supported the bill insisted the bill would help get those using drugs into treatment. Opponents decried the effort saying it unfairly stereotyped low-income folks.

At the time, it was estimated that the testing, which would cost about $50,000 a year, would flag about 390 people in the first year. That would amount to about 32 positive tests a month with an annual cost about $128 per positive test.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources began drug testing some applicants last October.

Between then and January 5 of this year, 873 folks applied for help, with 107 being asked to test for drug use based on a questionnaire.

The results?

A total of four applicants tested positive for drug use. At that rate, the state could expect to find 24 positive tests a year. That would average over $2,000 per positive test.

Draw your own conclusions.

More info at the Gazette-Mail.com.

West Virginia Lesbian Couple Settle Lawsuit With County Clerk Over Marriage License Harassment

(image via Americans United for Separation of Church and State)

A lesbian couple in West Virginia were told early last year that they were an "abomination" by a county clerk as they applied for a marriage license.

The clerk added at the time, "God would deal with them."

In April, high school sweethearts Amanda Ambramovich and Samantha Brookover filed suit against Gilmer County in federal court with the help of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, claiming that Deputy Clerk Debbie Allen violated their constitutional rights by discriminating against them under the guise of religion when they applied for a license.

Now, the county has agreed to settle the lawsuit brought by the couple.

MetroWeekly reports on the outcome:

As part of Wednesday’s settlement, Gilmer County has agreed to issue a public statement admitting wrongdoing and apologizing to Abramovich and Brookover. The county also agreed to pay $10,000 in damages to the couple, and has promised to require all county officials and employees of both the clerk’s office and the County Commission to undergo sensitivity training, which will be provided by Fairness West Virginia, within the next four months.

Lastly, the county has agreed to permanently post a sign in the clerk’s office with language stating that the office will serve all residents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Consenting adults should never be made to feel embarrassed or ashamed when marrying the person they love,” the couple told MetroWeekly. “It will be a comfort to know that this behavior will no longer be allowed in the Gilmer County Courthouse.”

Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump Win West Virginia Primaries

As expected, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump won his primary in West Virginia. Trump also easily won the Republican primary in Nebraska on Tuesday, with no challengers left on the field.

Bernie Sanders won the Democratic primary in West Virginia.

At this writing, it looks like Sanders will notch a victory in the neighborhood of +10 points, which means the delegate math between him and Hillary Clinton (who currently has a delegate lead of about 295) won't change by more than a handful - possibly a 5-8 net gain for Sanders.

West Virginia Drops Opposition To Same-Sex Marriage

In light of the recent decisions by SCOTUS and the 4th Circuit Court, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has announced that he will no longer defend his state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Gov. Earl Ray has ordered the issuing of marriage licenses.

Morrisey’s office indicates the attorney general disagrees with the Supreme Court decision, but respects that it sets legal precedent for West Virginia.

“While we disagree and believe it improperly displaces state and local decision-making, we will respect it,” he said in the prepared release.

“It is my duty to defend state laws that have been passed by the state Legislature and are consistent with the Constitution. We have discharged this duty faithfully.”

There were no immediate details released regarding when marriage licenses will be issued to same-sex couples, although Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued a press release indicating he has directed state agencies to comply.

“Recent rulings make it clear that laws banning same-sex marriage have been declared unconstitutional,” Tomblin said in a prepared release.

“Our state is known for its kindness and hospitality to residents and visitors alike. I encourage all West Virginians—regardless of their personal beliefs—to uphold our statewide tradition of treating one another with dignity and respect.”

(via JMG)

West Virginia Court Extends Stay of 4th Circuit Court Ruling On Marriage Equality

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on July 28th in the case of Bostic v. Schaefer which held that Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional based on the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Now, a US District Court in West Virginia has extended the stay on that ruling until the US Supreme Court weighs in yay or nay on the issue due to overlap with another case before the West Virginia Court.

As we are all learning when it comes to the law and gay rights - "gay means stay." Indefinitely.

See the ruling below.

3:13-cv-24068 #130 by Equality Case Files

West Virginia in holding pattern on marriage equality for now

After yesterday's ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court declaring Virginia's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional, North Carolina's Attorney General announced the state would no longer defend their marriage ban since North Carolina is also in the Fourth Circuit's jurisdiction and the outcome at this point is predictable.

However, West Virginia's AG seemed to indicate his office will take a "wait and see" attitude.

The writing is on the table, kids.

Forward.

(h/t JMG)

West Virginia: Judge says marriage equality lawsuit can proceed

Federal Judge Robert C. Chambers has ruled that the lawsuit brought by Lambda Legal against West Virginia's same-sex marriage ban may proceed.


However, the judge said without plaintiffs legally married out-of-state, that specific aspect of the suit must be amended.

None of the couples named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit has an out-of-state marriage license, so they don't have legal standing to challenge the fact West Virginia won't recognize them, U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers said in his order Wednesday.

Chambers gave the plaintiffs - three same-sex couples from West Virginia -- until Feb. 12 to amend their complaint.

Karen Loewy, attorney for Lambda Legal, said the issue is being considered but the team is leaning against adding new plaintiffs.

The judge also required that more defendants be added to the lawsuit or explain why suing only two county clerks would affect law in the entire state.

West Virginia: White man shoots/kills new black neighbors wrongly thinking they were on his property

Alleged shooter Rodney Black

A West Virginia man shot and killed his new neighbor and the man's brother without warning as the two inspected their land.

The shooter told police he thought his alleged victims were breaking into a building he mistakenly thought he owned, and police are baffled as to why he chose such a drastic measure to preserve something of no value to him.

The Cabell County Sheriff's Department charged Rodney Bruce Black, 62, of Barboursville, with two counts of first degree murder after he killed Garrick Hopkins, 60, of Milton and his brother, Carl Hopkins Jr., 61, of Oak Hill, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sherriff Tom McComas told the Daily News on Monday.

Garrick Hopkins and his wife had just purchased land next door to Black and planned to start building a home in the next few weeks, McComas said.

The landowner had invited his brother over to check out the property Saturday afternoon. Black saw the two men — who were both married with children — looking inside a shed. Then, allegedly without warning or calling the police, he grabbed a rifle and fired once at both men. They died at the scene.

"He shot first and then called 911," McComas said. "He said they were breaking into his house but it wasn't his property."

Read more at New York Daily News.

Fox News asks if children should have to work for their meals at school

Fox News forwarded the notion that it might be appropriate for school children to be forced to work in exchange for free school meals, after a Republican lawmaker in West Virginia proposed such a requirement for a new law curbing child hunger.

From the Washington Post:

"I think it would be a good idea if perhaps we had the kids work for their lunches: trash to be taken out, hallways to be swept, lawns to be mowed, make them earn it," said Ray Canterbury, a Republican from Greenbrier and a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, during debate over Senate Bill 663, also known as the Feed to Achieve Act.

Free meals are provided through the National School Lunch Program to students whose family's income is 130 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines. For this past school year, that means a family of four with an annual income of $29,965 qualifies. Children with household incomes of 185 percent or less of the poverty guidelines can get reduced-price meals under the program, which -- I was surprised to learn -- was established in 1946 by the National School Lunch Act.

West Virginia's Feed to Achieve Act wants to go beyond that by making sure no child goes hungry at school, but Canterbury repeated the theme of "there is no such thing as a free lunch" during the delegates' discussion of the bill, which had passed the state Senate unanimously.

(via Media Matters)

West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller supports marriage equality

"Like so many of my generation, my views on allowing gay couples to marry have been challenged in recent years by a new, more open generation.

"Churches and ministers should never have to perform marriages that violate their religious beliefs, but the government shouldn’t discriminate against people who want to marry just because of their gender.

"Younger people in West Virginia and even my own children have grown up in a much more equal society and they rightly push us to question old assumptions – to think deeply about what it means for all Americans to be created equal. This has been a process for me, but at this point I think it’s clear that DOMA is discriminatory.

"I’m against discrimination in all its forms, and I think we can move forward in our progress toward true equality by repealing DOMA." - Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)

Democrat wins governorship in West Virginia

Democrat Earl Ray Tomblin beat back a torrent of late Republican attacks linking him to President Obama to win the West Virginia governorship Tuesday night.

Tomblin, a 36-year politician who had served as acting governor since Joe Manchin left the governorship for the Senate last fall, defeated Republican drilling executive Bill Maloney in a contest that became nationalized in its closing days .

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With 81 percent of precincts reporting, Tomblin led Maloney 49 percent to 47 percent.

Maloney fought back from what was once a 30-point race to narrow the contest in recent weeks, with the help of nearly $3.5 million in television ads from the Republican Governors Association. The onslaught of commercials — including the final salvo linking Tomblin to “Obamacare” — clearly did damage to Tomblin’s image, but did not prove to be the death blow that some Democrats had feared.

A 30-second spot charging Tomblin with helping to implement “Obamacare” rotated heavily in the Mountain State this weekend, including during prime slots in the pricey Washington, D.C., market, which covers just a few thousand voters in the state’s eastern panhandle.

But Maloney underperformed in that area, taking only 49 percent in Jefferson County, the easternmost county in the state.

More at Politico