Three Republicans included in an It
Gets Better video to support troubled gay teens have been criticized
for their anti-gay records.
GOP Reps. Leonard Lance, Frank LoBiondo
and Jon Runyan are among the 10 members of the New Jersey
congressional delegation included in a video aimed at encouraging
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teens considering suicide to
hang in there, because life gets better. Their inclusion marks the
first time a Republican elected official has participated in the
project.
“The things that make us different
are the things that make our country strong,” Runyan says in the
90-second spot.
“We can't completely eliminate
bullying but there are actions we can take to make things better
now,” LoBiondo adds. (The video is embedded in the right panel of
this page.)
New Jersey recently enacted one of the
toughest anti-bullying laws in the nation.
Writing at the progressive blog
ThinkProgress.org,
Zack Ford noted that the three Republicans have previously supported
anti-gay measures.
The lawmakers “should be commended
for sending a positive message to LGBT youth, they should also be
held accountable for their anti-LGBT records. Both Lance and
LoBiondo voted against the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' last
December. All three oppose the repeal of the Defense of Marriage
Act, having supported the military-specific DOMA amendment to the
Defense Appropriations Bill. And none of them have expressed any
support for the Student Non-Discrimination Act or Safe Schools
Improvement Act, bills that would address the very bullying they
denounce in this video.”
“If these Republicans truly believe
in a better life for LGBT young people, perhaps they should stop
supporting legislation that undermines their equality,” Ford added.
(Related: Jamie
Hubley dedicated It Gets Better video panned.)