Tampa Bay Coalition
Eye on GLBT Special News Report
 
Senator Rick Santorum Anti-Gay Comments
 
The Uproar Over Senator's Anti-Gay and Homophobic Remarks
Gay Rights Groups and Democrats have criticized Senator Rick Santorum after blatantly homophobic comments and has refused to apologize for them. Santorum made the remarks in an interview with the Associated Press about a Supreme Court case challenging the constitutionality of a Texas law against sodomy. Santorum compared homosexuality to bigamy, polygamy, incest and adultery. Below is TBC's
Eye on GLBT News comprehensive coverage from April 22 through April 28, 2003.
 
Morons in the News: Santorum Flees from Meeting with Parents of Gays, Trips Over Chair
May 3: Mr. Santorum agreed to meet with some members of Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) to discuss his comments. Needless to say, he was unapologetic. Having presumptively told the parents that he believes their children are going to hell, Mr. Santorum attempted to rush out of the room, but ended up tripping over a chair in his effort to flee. Perhaps this should be a lesson to Mr. Santorum: If you don't have anything positive to say, don't say anything at all and maybe you will spare yourself the embarrassment of clumsily tripping over something. [Morons.Org is a forum for discussing moronic news.] 
 
Senator in Heated Exchange With Parents of Gay Children
May 1: Four parents of gay children had a fiery private exchange tonight with Senator Rick Santorum
of Pennsylvania. The meeting did not go well, and Mr. Santorum, who has infuriated gays by likening homosexuality to incest and bigamy, left in a hurry, tripping over a chair, the parents said. Includes
letters to the Editor. ~ News Article & Letters to the Editor ~
 
Pennsylvania Gays Hope Santorum Will Help State Rights Legislation
April 30: U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum is the classic example of why gays and lesbians need civil rights protections in Pennsylvania gay groups said as they lobbied state legislators. The Pennsylvania
Lesbian and Gay Task Force and the Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition held separate news conferences to promote two bills that would outlaw LGBT discrimination.
Relaed News Article:
*April 29: Republican Lawmakers Back Senator in Gay Dispute.
 
Santorum To Receive Honorary Degree
April 28: Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum will receive an honorary degree next month from
Saint Joseph's University.  The school has also asked him to deliver the keynote address at its commencement ceremony.
Pundits Predict Sen. Santorum Will Survive Flap Over Remarks on Gays
April 26: Political analysts said they expect Sen. Rick Santorum to remain popular in Pennsylvania
despite a flap over his recent remarks about homosexual behavior.
 
Bush Comes To Santorum's Aid As Two More Senator's Desert Him
April 25: After nearly five days of silence, the White House has finally spoken out on Senator Rick Santorum's assertion that homosexuality is akin to bestiality, polygamy and adultery, but far from a condemnation President Bush is praising the Pennsylvania Republican. "The president believes the
senator is an inclusive man. That's what he believes," said White House spokesperson Ari Fleischer
at his Friday briefing. Related Articles: *Gays Stage Protest As Cracks Appear In Santorum Support 
and *Santorum New Jesse Helms. ~ Three News Articles ~
 
G.O.P. Hypocrisy - Editorial~OpEd.
April 25: Gay groups are trying to turn Senator Rick Santorum into the next Trent Lott. It's not
going to work. Mr. Lott lost his post as Senate majority leader because he said something he
wasn't supposed to. Mr. Santorum, who holds the No. 3 position in the Senate leadership, was
only repeating what many Republicans have already said. Includes Letters to the New York Times
Editor. [Op~Ed & Letters]
 
Two Republicans Criticize Santorum For Remarks About Gays
Aprol 24: Critical comments about homosexuality by a leading Senate Republican were
labeled as "unfortunate" by two GOP colleagues, who said they don't represent the ideals
held by many in their party. "Discrimination and bigotry have no place in our society, and I
believe Senator (Rick) Santorum's unfortunate remarks undermine Republican principles
of inclusion and opportunity," said Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, according to a statement
from her office. Includes Excerpts of AP Interview Santorum: 'I Have a Problem With Homosexual
Acts' and Video Clip of CNN's Jonathan Karl April 22: News Reports "Sen. Rick Santorum, (R-PA),
draws criticism over comments on homosexuality." [Video & News Articles] 
Related April 24, News Articles:
*Not Anti-Gay, Says Pol As Dems Call For Boot
*A Republican Group Demands That Senator Apologize to Gays and
*Cracks Appear In Santorum Support.
[Three News Articles]
 
Polygamist Angered by Senator's Comments
April 24: The leader of one of Utah's largest polygamist sects has objected to Sen. Rick
Santorum's comments that lump together polygamy with other practices, like homosexuality,
the Pennsylvania lawmaker considers to be anti-family.
 
Gay Rights Issues Scuttle GOP Efforts at Unity
April 23: The dust-ups have disrupted the Republican Party's wartime unity, underscored
competing political demands on Bush and spotlighted the continuing debate over the status
of gay men and lesbians.
 
No Apology Expected From Sen. Rick Santorum
April 23: Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania said he won't apologize for comments he made 
that comparing homosexuality to bigamy, polygamy, incest and adultery. The Republican legislator
made remarks while discussing upcoming decision by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the
constitutionality of sodomy laws.
Related News Articles:
*April 23: GOP Suffers Santorum Laryngitis.
*April 22: Santorum Defends Remarks in Gay Court Case & Democrats' Call for Santorum to
Resign Post. ~Two Articles~
*April 22: Santorum Angers Gay Rights Groups, Santorum Rankles Gay-Rights Groups & Gay
Groups Rip Santorum. ~Three Articles~

Persistent Conflict for Gays and G.O.P.
April 22: Eight years ago, Dick Armey, then the House majority leader, referred to Representative
Barney Frank, the prominent gay lawmaker, as Barney Fag. Three years later, Senator Trent Lott
infuriated gays when he likened them to kleptomaniacs. Now it is Sen. Santorum, who is being
accused of having a tin ear  or worse.
 
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