A group of gay Democrats has asked
Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall to stop lying about LGBT people.
In response to Marshall's condemnation
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's decision to fly a rainbow
flag that recognizes Gay Pride month, a coalition of gay Democrats,
the LGBT Democrats of Virginia, has called on the Republican to stop
attacking the gay community.
While conceding that the bank is a
private financial institution, Christian
conservatives claimed bank leaders were merely following the Obama
administration's lead when they decided to fly the flag underneath
the American flag.
Marshall, who has a long history of
anti-gay rhetoric, responded with a strongly worded letter to bank
president Jeff Lacker.
“A flagpole in front of a federal
building is not a commercial or political message board,” Marshall
wrote.
“Moreover, the homosexual behavior
'celebrated' by your Richmond's Federal Reserve Bank spokeswoman
undermines the American economy, is a class six felony in Virginia,
shortens lives, adds significantly to illness, increases health
costs, promotes venereal disease, and worsens the population
imbalance relating to the number of workers supporting the
beneficiaries of America's Social Security and Medicare Programs.”
“Mr. Lacke, take down that flag!”
he concludes.
In
their letter, the gay Democrats argued Marshall is perpetuating
anti-gay falsehoods.
“We contend that there is no
difference in the lifespan or health of responsible members of the
LGBT community when compared to responsible heterosexuals, and that
such language as you have used to support your opposition to the
flying of the rainbow flag is inflammatory, intolerant and deceptive.
Moreover, your claim of moral superiority seems to blind you to the
intolerance you have expressed.”
“Delegate Marshall, we call on you to
stop perpetuating ignorance and falsehoods. It's time to stop lying
to the people of Virginia.”
Marshall
made headlines last year when he introduced legislation that would
ban gay and bisexual troops from serving openly in the state's
National Guard after repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”