Torii Hunter, right fielder for the
Detroit Tigers, talks up Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson's
opposition to gay marriage in an ad for the Republican's re-election
campaign.
The 39-year-old Hunter claimed that he
was misquoted two years ago by the Los Angeles Times when he
said: “For me, as a Christian … I will be uncomfortable [with a
gay teammate] because in all my teachings and all my learning,
biblically, it's not right. It will be difficult and uncomfortable.”
“If you know me you know that I m not
anti anything and to be portrayed as anti-gay in this article is
hurtful and just not true,” he said in 2012.
In the 60-second radio spot for
Hutchinson, Hunter reminds listeners that Dr. Martin Luther King said
that men should be judged by the content of their character.
“Today we often pre-judge political
candidates by their party label. I'm asking you to consider Asa for
his actions,” he says.
He adds that Hutchinson is “committed
to the principles” African-Americans hold dear, “like a strong
faith in God, equal justice for all, and keeping marriage between one
man and one woman.” (The audio is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
Deadspin.com
points to a 2013 poll which found that the percentage of
African-American Arkansans that support marriage equality is greater
than the percentage of Arkansans in general, 47% compared to 38%.