James: Police ‘de-infest areas where gays congregate’

[ccharles000]

CHARLOTTE — Two area LGBT youth service and advocacy groups are condemning an anti-gay slur and other comments made by Republican Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James, and demanding an immediate reprimand of his actions at the Dec. 15 commissioners meeting in which domestic partner benefits were approved for same-sex partners of county employees.

The groups’ strong statement comes as more comments from James are made public, including his assertion that police are working to “de-infest” areas where gays “congregate.”

On Dec. 17, the local Time Out Youth and national, Charlotte-based Campus Pride released a joint statement condemning James’ comments following Democrat Commissioner Vilma Leake’s personal and passionate story about her son’s 1993 death to AIDS. After she spoke, James leaned over to her and asked, “Your son was a homo, really?”

“Commissioner Bill James’ remarks are nothing but intolerant and harmful to our area youth,” said Steve Bentley, executive director of Time Out Youth. “There is no reason why a young LGBTQ person should have to hear such disdain and hateful rhetoric from a public official who is elected to represent them.”

Time Out Youth, founded in the early 1990s, is a support, services and advocacy organization for LGBT youth ages 13-23.

Bentley added, “There are young people who are victims of depression and even suicide because of hateful slurs and comments like that of Commissioner James. Elected leaders are expected to be positive role models for our youth. We need to hold Commissioner James accountable for his actions.”

http://www.q-notes.com/4632/james-police-de-infest-areas-where-gays-congregate/

[dusmcj]

1. Leake should have replied, "yeah, but he wasn't a cracker" /nt

[ccharles000]

2. kick

[Touchdown]

3. Somebody needs to break his teeth.

A fat lip is a good thing on guys like this.:grr:

[Jamastiene]

4. K&R

James is despicable and hateful. He needs to go.

[Starry Messenger]

5. Sounds like things people have said on DU about gay DUers.

Sadly, it's not just Republicans who indulge in this kind of rhetoric.

[ccharles000]

6. one more kick

[DRoseDARs]

7. Comm. Leake should have "de-infested" Comm. James of his testicles when he denigrated her dead son.

eom

[Terra Alta]

8. Bill James is a dispicable excuse for a human being!

It just made my blood boil when I heard this. How can ANYONE insult the dead like that?? A reprimand isn't good enough; he should be forced to resign.