Senator Mark Pryor Isn’t Sure If People Choose To Be Gay
Source: ThinkProgress
By Igor Volsky on Apr 6, 2013 at 9:49 am
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), one of four remaining Senate Democrats who have not come out for marriage equality, told a local Arkansas news station on Friday that he is undecided on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry and is unsure if being gay is a choice:
I would put me down in the undecided category, the moderate Democrat told KFSM 5 News. I did talk with some friends of mine in the gay and lesbian community over the last week or so. We talked about this issue. We also talked about a question I received in the office not too long ago where they asked whether being gay was a choice or whether you were born that way. I told them, I said, Honestly Ive never really thought a lot about that. Maybe a lot of people think about that. I havent spent a lot of time thinking about that. But one of the things I hear from them is they feel very strongly that its not a choice for them, and I respect that. Im not going to dispute that. I appreciate that, and I appreciate their honesty. For a lot of these people they just really open their heart to me and talked about some of the struggles theyve had over the years with their sexual orientation. I respect that and appreciate their patience, and I appreciate their honesty.
Pryor also wouldnt commit to extending federal benefits to gays and lesbians, but expressed concern that doing so would cost the government too much money. This is one that is an evolving issue in Washington. I havent really analyzed this in terms of benefits and what that does for the federal budget, he said.
Fifty three senators now support marriage equality. Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Tim Johnson (D-SD) are the only other Democrats who have not publicly endorsed it.
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Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/04/06/1830691/senator-mark-pryor-isnt-sure-if-people-chose-to-be-gay/
Cannikin
(8,359 posts)Where the Democrats are Republicans and the Republicans are bat crap crazy.
Faygo Kid
(21,477 posts)Not a destination.
illegaloperation
(260 posts)To be fair, Sen. Pryor is up for re-election in 2014 and coming out to support gays would make his re-election harder than it already is.
Let me ask you guys this: Would you rather have Pryor or some partisan Republican have that seat?
You have to remember that Obama lost Arkansas by 24%: yes, that's twenty-four percent.
sdfernando
(4,897 posts)I would rather have an HONEST Senator who stands up proud for their beliefs, while also upholding the Constitution, which they have sworn to than one that is looking at they can keep their job by whatever means.
illegaloperation
(260 posts)You are forgetting what he has done for us.
Do you remember that he voted for our Affordable Care Act? If he wasn't there, it wouldn't have pass.
ACA is exactly what the Republicans are going to use to attack him on his re-election.
sdfernando
(4,897 posts)(I live in California), and I haven't followed his career or how he has voted on the issue. I'm really glad he voted for ACA I really am. But as has been posed to many a politician, exactly when did he decide to be straight? That should seal the deal right there! There is no question in my mind. I didn't decide to be gay it is just the way I am....period.
illegaloperation
(260 posts)I am a big proponent of gay rights and I believe that they are civil right issues.
That said, you are NOT going to find anyone who support gay rights who can win statewide in Arkansas.
I want to show you this chart by Nate Silver:
thunderbolt brown420
(8 posts)well its like this if he votes as he should i'm cool.if not they have this thing called a primary and i will vote agianst him there,if he wins the primary i will still vote for him because anyone is better than a repuke or soggy bottom tea bagger.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)As far as costing the government more money, it would cost as much if the couples were same sex or man and woman. If it cost the government too much money then man and women marriages cost too much and we cold now save more money.
KG
(28,749 posts)Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Nanjing to Seoul
(2,088 posts)Religion. . .pox on humanity since people invented it.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts).... maybe we shouldn't support that either. Or your choice to get married. NO SUPPORTING OF CHOICES!
LiberalArkie
(15,686 posts)pangaia
(24,324 posts)That whole quote is so stupendously stupid!.
" I did talk with some friends of mine in the gay and lesbian community over the last week or so."
My God.. do you mean you talk to some gay and lesbian friends?
Do you mean you talked with some actual gays and lesbians?
Do you really mean 'friends?"
... or is it like a politician saying, "My dear friend and colleague on the other side of the isle?"
What do you mean you appreciate their honesty Do you want them to lie to you?
Because YOU are lying when you say you received a call in the office recently where 'they' asked if "you were born that way or it was a choice?" Giiive mee a breeaak..
Giving equal rights to gays and lesbians would be too expensive !! WHAT !!!!!!
This is one that is an evolving issue in Washington...." Come on.. think up your own word, dude.
Jeebus, man, do you know how silly you sound???
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)I was just at a friend's house not so long ago and their gay son and his partner were snuggling on the sofa watching TV.
The little tiny dog comes in. Sees the cuddling and runs over to get some affection too.
You think this guy would have a general freak out?
Maybe it would help to know one of the guys on the sofa is an ex-marine.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)DonViejo
(60,536 posts)born and raised in Arkansas, needs to call his home boy, Pryor, and tell him to quit using his head for a rectal thermometer. I might be able to forgive that President's signature on DOMA if he taught Pryor
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)What I see from what he said is: He put himself in the 'undecided category' on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to legally marry.
Regarding the 'choice' issue I think the headline is misleading and the article may have taken his other comments out of context, because he said: Honestly Ive never really thought a lot about that. --- That is not the same as saying that he does or doesn't not think that.
Just my opinion.
AAO
(3,300 posts)The guy is a complete moron and should retire to a sanitarium ASAP!
tularetom
(23,664 posts)He's just made himself look like a fuckin idiot.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)AAO
(3,300 posts)backscatter712
(26,355 posts)AAO
(3,300 posts)backscatter712
(26,355 posts)"You don't have to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate." ("Fuck, did I just say that?"
AAO
(3,300 posts)backscatter712
(26,355 posts)AAO
(3,300 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)Ash_F
(5,861 posts)"You don't need to pass a IQ test to be in the senate." ...
DU needs a deadpan smilie.
What is really really sad is that this guy probably does understand that evolution is fact, but he can't say because his the nutters would hold his feet to the fire. His quote really gives it away.
Starboard Tack
(11,181 posts)surrealAmerican
(11,340 posts)So, if we increased discrimation to other groups, we could save even more money. Let's just restrict marriage to only people under the age of 60: just think of the money we'd save!
Did he even think about how this argument sounds for two seconds?
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)How would allowing gay marriage cost America? Oh, I know- they could file jointly and enjoy the benefits us straight folks do. So what? Start charging fair tax rates on those who are draining us- the rich.
Lithos
(26,397 posts)Sometimes I think these people are so backwards that they are stuck in the 1890's and think gay means something else.
Then I think, no it's 1890 BCE.
These people are so damned disgusting. If people like this are so out in the weeds, it does not give me much hope.
L-
AAO
(3,300 posts)Well, since we are in this economic situation we should revoke civil right to Native Americans. What a fucking asshole!
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)Go after the damn rich if we need money.
bemildred
(90,061 posts)Liberalagogo
(1,770 posts)when did he "choose" to be a hetero? And then ask him when did he "try out" homosexuality in order to make said "choice"?
catbyte
(34,174 posts)alp227
(31,962 posts)RKP5637
(67,032 posts)gay-straight index to see who made what choice. I would dare say being straight costs the gov. a hell of a lot in lost tax revenue too ... and costs.
Asses like this really should have been born eons ago and lived their life in a cave.
broadcaster75201
(387 posts)The Gov't should STAY OUT OF IT. What ... if it's a choice we get to criminalize consenting sex?
My god is this a Nation of morons.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Not surprised at all.
illegaloperation
(260 posts)Support for same-sex marriage may be a winning issue nationwide, but it is not (at least not yet) in Arkansas.
Kolesar
(31,182 posts)Chipper Chat
(9,637 posts)You're right, this doesn't go over well.
Oh wait, that's not what he said?
Purplehazed
(179 posts)Just ask him if he had a tough time deciding who to ask to the senior prom. Sally with the sweet smile and always smelled nice or big ol' muscley Bobby the quarterback.
If he wrestled and agonized over that decision, you can see why he might think that it's choice.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)I am so excited, Mr. "Brain Surgeon" that YOU have...just...not...made...up...your...mind...whether...people...are...gay.
Fuck Off Asshole!
I couldn't give a shit whether you have "made up your mind"!
DFW
(54,057 posts)Arkansas has not yet decided if Japanese people choose to look Oriental, or if they're just born that way.
JI7
(89,182 posts)lobodons
(1,290 posts)Seriously, unless you are female, who would choose to have sexual relations with a member of the same sex? Pryor is such an idiot!!
Aristus
(66,096 posts)"Some of my best friends are gay!..."