Story Archive

Out Raged

“Lots and lots of people can celebrate their love today,” said state Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) when a federal judge declared Alabama’s refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples unconstitutional. But then state officials, including state House Speaker Mike Hubbard, said they intended to fight the ruling. “We will continue defending the Christian conservative values that make Alabama a special place to live,” said Hubbard. Todd, the state’s only “out” lesbian lawmaker, responded with a Facebook threat: “I will not stand by and allow legislators to talk about ‘family values’ when they have affairs, and I know of many who are and have. I will call our elected officials who want to hide in the closet OUT.” After receiving legal advice, she backed down. “I don’t have proof” of other people’s extramarital affairs, she said — even when the affairs are “pretty common knowledge” in the capital. Besides, she was “emotional” when she made the threat. (AC/Florence TimesDaily, Birmingham News, WAPI Birmingham) ...She was tired of having her eyes examined for specks by Christians with planks poking out of their eyes.