October, 05 2010, 03:57pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906
NOW Condemns Sen. Jim DeMint's Dangerous Comments on Gays and Sexually Active Single Women Unfit to Teach
WASHINGTON
The National Organization for Women is outraged by the ignorant,
homophobic comments Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) made on Friday at a
conservative church rally, saying gay people and unwed sexually active
women should not be teaching in public schools.
"Sexist bigots like Sen. Jim DeMint
don't belong in the United States Congress," said NOW President Terry
O'Neill. "He thinks gay women and men and sexually active single women
should be banned from teaching, but he said nothing about sexually
active, single straight men."
This is not the first time Sen.
DeMint stated his contempt for gays and women, having made a similar
comment made back in 2004. DeMint went on to tell supporters Friday he
would continue to recruit like-minded conservative leaders to run for
Congress.
"NOW is re-doubling its efforts to
stop Sen. DeMint and his crowd from taking control of Congress. We
don't need people like him who lead from a place of ignorance and hate
-- we need leaders who will be committed to equality, fairness and
justice as they tackle the enormous challenges we face," said O'Neill.
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW has 500,000 contributing members and 550 chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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