A Wyoming lawmaker on Monday testified that she is tired of hearing gays and lesbians equate their struggle for civil rights to the efforts of mixed-race couples to secure the legal right to marry in the late 1960s.
Lynn Hutchings
Rep. Lynn Hutchings (R-Cheyenne), a black woman serving her first term in the Wyoming state House, called on gays and lesbians to “please stop carpet-bagging on our civil rights movement.”
Hutchings said being black is a result of genetics. “It is inborn,” she said.
“Science does not evidence a genetic involvement to homosexuality. It is but a choice. Being black is involuntary, it is not a choice. Homosexuals may choose who they want to be.”
Hutchings was testifying against a proposed bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Wyoming.
The bill was defeated by a House committee on Monday.
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Rep. Lynn Hutchings (R-Cheyenne), open your eyes and see the reality staring you right back in your face. Gay is not a choice! Never has been, never will. Grow the fuck up. And the words ‘civil rights’, of which you speak of but do not know the definition of, is not limited to the Afro-american experience. Its for all Americans, no matter what minority group they belong to!
I know science to religious nuts is a faux pas but….they have proven homosexuality happens in utero from chemical changes in the mom.
Can she stop carpet bagging on civil rights of human beings
Oh shut up, you sill segregationist.
Hence why i don’t vote republican.
Republican bitch.
I mean… it’s not really the EXACT same… but it’s still a civil rights issue. She can’t just lay claim to the term “civil rights”.
As a black LBGT male, I have to say this lady needs to shove it
I hate when people try to own civil rights…geez, get a dictionary.
Really, bitch?…
I’ve heard this before from other black folks. They don’t see that they are being exclusionary like civil rights was a one time deal in history and not ongoing. When they say this, it’s no better than them emulating the attitude of their own oppressors that kept them without rights for centuries.
since when do basic human and “civil rights” belong only to African Americans? Rep. Huthings has actually become what “we will overcome”.
I’m sorry Ms. Lynn, I didn’t realize “civil rights” had a color to it or only one group associated with it. Call Ceaser Chavez.
cant wait for that republican woman to have a whole family of gay kids
They have forgotten Bayard a civil rights activist and a gay man.
Prejudice and ignorance are not limited to one race or gender.
At least people were never in disagreement over whether or not she chose to be black!
She is but a tiny mound in a sea of mountains that the lgbtq nation shall overcome. Never surrender!
God, why do people CHOOSE to be so ignorant and so unloving?!
It is genetic. Bugger off.
Wow. Ignorant bigot.
this people need our help https://secure.avaaz.org/ro/uganda_stop_gay_death_law/?vc
Tell black law makers get over themselves and shut up
Laughing my freakin’ ass off at this corn breaded black bitch!!
I dont hate for that. After all we need stupid people to give us a laugh. #Goofybroad
She is so wrong on so many levels and the fact is we don’t choose to be gay we were born that way as she was born black.
Fine, then let’s all revoke our support for racial minority rights, and then all of us can get crushed by the rich white heterosexuals separately instead of working together, that’ll make things better.
What a moron.
yes bayard clayton powell jr told mlk if nhe did get id he would sat they sex together but mlk brought him back march washington. powell passed for white. therer racist gays
She clearly has no understanding of what sexual orientation means. But prejudice remains prejudice. Willful ignorance doesn’t excuse it. If she is indeed heterosexual, I’d like to see her choose to be attracted to persons of the same sex because, unless a self-identified heterosexual is really bisexual, it would be impossible. I guess let her cling to her cognitive dissonance until heterosexism is as unacceptable as racism.
Go fuck yourself, you homophobic bitch!
I cant imagine the ethical bankruptcy it would take for someone to face segregation and senseless bigotry, and then to turn around and start doing the exact same to another minority group. I dont see how someone can be that much of a moral cockroach. then again, she is a republican.
Holyhell Kelly: No, they haven’t…
Links between African-Americans and women, Jewish people, migrant workers, the physically handicapped, Japanese-Americans etc. ect. ect..abound in American civil rights discourse. African-Americans don’t own this part of history….this is the first time I have heard anyone making that claim. I hope it’s the last.
So they’re the only ones allowed to have a civil rights movement?
OFFS
well then she should stop listening —-
WTF?
What Christian Burkett said…
does she feel the same about all minorities claiming civil rights for themselves as it applies to all?
@Sara actually Ann Coulter said this exact same thing. nice to know that Lynn is aligning herself with a known racist, xenophobic bigot in order to bully and deride another minority group.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/ann-coulter_n_1908958.html
she probably having a bad day, i seen on the news that the price of chicken wings go up over superbowl weekend!
Jill Joiner, I’m hoping when you use the word “they,” you are referring to some Republicans or maybe even some Black people, but please be careful as some like to construe such statements to mean ALL of any one group. As many allies of color who have raised their voices in support of us, it still seems the trend of using people of color as the faces of homophobia persists. Just as we admonish this woman (rightfully so) for a failure to see civil rights as inclusive of all, I truly hope we always take our LGBTQ community to task for a failure to be as inclusive as it should be.
What’s her problem?
wow….
Its a choice to have an interracial marriage…i bet segregationists asked black people to stop equating it with their marriages in the 1950s and 60s
She is a complete idiot and has no idea what equality in the eyes of the law even means.
CIVIL RIGHTS ATE FOR EVERY AMERICAN REGARDLESS OF COLOR!!!
tough shit!
She like others are lost in the sea called “Ignorance” the struggle we face is no different from what she faced or faces, she chooses to forget that
Aww screw being nice anymore “Suck my big gay winkie Hutchings!
For those of you who are saying homosexuality is only genetic, do you realize the heterosexist nature of your assertion? It implies that if it were a choice, you’d choose to be straight. But some people do choose to be some form of queer and there is a lot of research that support the fluidity of sexuality (just google heteroflexibility). I am not saying there is no genetic factor; genetics/epigenetics is probably a large influence in ones sexuality (both hetero and homosexual).
Also, when are we gonna pour money into finding the straight gene?
It doesn’t make a difference if a “gay gene” hasn’t been found: no one actively chooses to be gay and make their lives significantly harder. You don’t choose who you are attracted to. What a dick.
She needs to get a life
WTF! I’m black and gay and several other things. Just like she is black and a woman at the same time we are all intersections of several identities. Her comments are stupid, offensive and disgraceful to all women and non-whites.
Oh, really. Miss Thing? You are a woman AND black and have a very short memory. You have at least two strong reasons to support the LGBTQ community.
I think, secretly, she’s a “carpet muncher” and has internalized homophobia and misplaced anger towards herself!!! She’s a FUCKING MORON!!! Pay da bitch no mind, just look at her! She ain’t nevah gettin’ laid that’s why bitch be trippin’!!! ROTFLMAO
It is harder to be “gay” then “black” in America. When your black you do not have to tell your parents
Since when are human rights owned by one group only?
What a douchebag this woman is! Is too many products to straight that hair made her brain to melt!
It is people like her that make her heritage’s heroes like MLK look undeserved.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand how people think that one chooses to be gay. A person does not choose or determine who he or she is attracted to. One can only choose how to live his or her life. It’s not that difficult to comprehend. It’s obvious that homophobic individuals, like this woman, would rather beat around the bush than actually admit that they are homophobic. It’s quite sad. She has no idea what it’s like to be gay. People like this don’t know what they’re talking about. Oh, and there is evidence supporting biological predispositions that cause homosexuality. The evidence is not concrete, but neither is the evidence stating otherwise.
Shame on her!
Frances Carodine: In what universe is that a coherent sentence?
” For those of you who are saying homosexuality is only genetic, do you realize the heterosexist nature of your assertion? It implies that if it were a choice, you’d choose to be straight.” No, it does not. If it were a choice, I wouldn’t choose to be straight (or gay, perhaps bi). And I’m highly skeptical of the sexual fluidity argument as it can just as well as be explained as bisexuality (and some gays and lesbians are vehemently offended by the notion EVERYONE is fluid, as it’s called). Is sexual orientation genetic? I don’t know or really care, but I believe it’s inborn. No one is implying if it is genetic that they would have chosen heterosexuality if it was a matter of choice. That’s just a whole lot of assumption. Orientation does seem to imply a fixed state, hence why the argument that it’s a choice is silly.
It’s time this wack job got off the homophobia train. Not only does everyone with a brain know that it is not a choice, but the NAACP supports marriage equality – OVERWHELMINGLY. In addition, our black President most recently has linked Selma with Seneca Falls and Stonewall. The struggle for equality includes not only persons of color, but also women and the LGBT community. If Representative Wack Job is tired of it, maybe she needs a trip out of Wyoming and into 2013.
What an obnoxious cow. The Bigotry they faced is the exact same bigotry we have faced, the only difference is the target. She only tries to deny it because she is herself a bigot as well.
I’m really shocked and truly disappointed. I have steadfastly supported all groups that have sought to gain their civil rights. I’m GAY and I knew it when I was 10 yrs old. I did NOT choose to be gay – hell, I had no idea what it meant. But understand clearly – I’m PROUD and very happy as a gay man. But I’m also very disappointed in those who choose to be anti-gay!!!!! How sad!!!!!
back at you asshole. If they can deny us our creator given and constitutional right yours too can be removed and denied.
There is no excuse for her ignorance or her opposition to treating ALL people fairly. She’s not just a voter, she’s an elected representative and has a duty to think and research more deeply than bigots in the street. The underlying issue of denying marriage on grounds of gender or orientation is exactly the same as denying it on the grounds of race – both come from a position of power where a group with privilege and power denies others their rights. A person of one race isn’t better than a person of another race. A person of one gender isn’t better than a person of another gender. A person of one sexual orientation isn’t better than another oerson of different orientation. Same love, same rights.
What a bitch
Same love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0
I didn’t realize civil rights only belong to a certain group of people. I am sorry Rep. Lynn Hutchings please stop saying that being gay is a choice or a lifestyle it’s offensive to gay and straight people everywhere.
All you can do is be concerned for her, poor misguided woman
My name is Melanie Vigil and I am Representative Cathy Connolly’s aide (the legislator who proposed these gay rights bills). LGBTQ Nation failed to mention in this article that the committee passed domestic partnerships on a 7-2 vote. This is big news for it being one of the most conservative states in the union, and I hope that you will consider adding an article to your page regarding this substantial victory. Although this does perpetuate the idea of “separate but equal”, we must start somewhere, and a 7-2 vote is a great start to equality.
I wonder how many gay/lesbians made the choice to support “her” civil rights movement that enabled this bigoted bitch to get an education, to vote, to become an elected official?????
N*#@!. This woman abandoned the right to being anything else, and choose ignorance and stupidity, and thus wallows in N$!#!DOM.
And she’s made a choice to be ignorant.
get over yourself. It’s about humanity not race.
@ Melanie vigil…I appreciate what you are saying, but a good start is no longer good enough
Ridiculous.
yet another uneducated republican
How rude. We should all be fighting together for equal rights. I don’t understand why so many other African Americans feel this way. I don’t. I’m not going to wait for equal rights for African Americans and women and then when I get them say screw everyone else I got mine. No. That’s wrong. Support each other. We’re all people.
So where has this woman been? There is scientific evidence that Homosexuality is genetic , it is not a choice.. And since when did Civil Rights belong to just a “certain” group of people..
Civil rights are for everyone!!!!!
she’s in her first term, don’t think she’ll have a second term, cause of her own stupidity and arrogance. Being gay is as much a CHOICE as being black, being in an interracial marriage is a choice and we have gotten past that. But she’ll never get past stupid.
MLK would want to slap her if he were around today.
Wow can’t believe people are still like this…
Does Wyoming have recall legislation?
It’s her first term and hopefully her last.
It’s not that she’s against discrimination. She’s just against discrimination against HER. Narcissist. Gets her civil rights, then wants to slam the door on everyone else. Just because she’s a woman and an African-American doesn’t mean that that can’t be a BIGOT along with the worst of them. Selfish, mean-spirited, bigot, Narcissist. That can apply to any gender, any race, any nationality (btw, this means you, Israel).
A**hole.
I hear this shit all the time and I’ve had plenty of “discussions” with close friends who are black. My son is gay and I’m a straight supporter. Over time and calm discussion, they have finally began to see the light; that is if they aren’t tired of debating with me! Civil rights is human rights and no one owns it because it is the rights for all!
Fornall her book education she surely is one stupid woman.
The dumbass needs to get a brain and learn to use it before he speaks.
Well, tough, because like it or not, this is a civil rights issue.
Proof that bigots come in every shade and gender.
Bigotry is a choice.
Shame!
Whenever someone like this idiot says being gay is a choice, I think to myself how the hell would they know. The only way it would be a choice is if every single person is naturally bisexual and straight people choose to love members of the opposite sex. Funny because I have not seen, nor heard one “heterosexual” person admit to having sexual feelings for members of the same sex. No it is not a choice! It is no more a choice for us than it is for the heterosexual to be heterosexual. Whenever, you hear someone claim that it is a choice the ask them”how would you know?” And then ask if they made a choice to be straight. Spread this argument so we can start hitting these idiots where their brains should be. They haven’t found the stupid gene and yet there are 435 of them in the U.S. House of Representatives!
I have’nt heard of a gay person HANGING from a TREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wawawa
Who cares if the LBGTQ community gets married?
You’re not getting married to the same sex, so turn a blind eye.
Don’t like gay marriage? Don’t get one. It’s that simple.
This DESPICABLE BITCH does not know what it is to be GAY. There are many Black and Gay men and women in the LGBT Community, and if she is the kind of lawmaker she proclaims to be, then she should ask her Gay Brothers and Sisters for their opinions!
Click on her name and you will find her email. Send her an email.
What? Two entirely different sorts of discrimination.
Civil rights are civil rights across the board…
Wow she offers proof that something’s are inborn…like being a total fucking wanker. She makes me sad, I didn’t choose to be black nor did I choose to be a lesbian. And @ Patricia Clark they don’t hang gays from trees but they sure as shit beat them and leave then for dead…remember Matthew Shepard or Brandon Teena…
So wait by her logic, which is about bi-racial couples getting married – black people could just choose to marry black people – they don’t need or have to marry white people. That’s a choice.
Wow… saying that out loud sounds incredibly racist.
Regardless of whether or not my ‘lifestyle’ is a choice is irrelevant. It shouldn’t matter – sure it was my choice you act on my attraction to men and not repress it, it was my choice to live my life out loud, it was my choice to allow myself to love. I don’t understand why my choices should be disrespected, I don’t understand how these choices impact anyone else except me, and arguably the people in my life that love and care about me. Even if being gay, as it was so put by this woman, is a choice in a much more broader sense then I have defined it, why does it matter?
Why can’t we just allow a little more love in the world and stop fighting it.
@Patricia Clark: Matthew Shepard. It wasn’t a tree, but it was horrific and unacceptable. No one group owns the trademark to Oppressed.
What do you expect from a Black woman who is a Republican – she is stupid as a box of rocks. She is on the wrong side of everything.
@Bridgette Norman-Well said. I was about to point out the same thing. Great minds!!!
Sad
Suck it bitch!
I thought it belonged to Gandhi?
I believe we have our own civil rights movement going on with out her.
I’m Representative Connolly’s other Aide and I just want to re- articulate what Melanie Vigil said about the importance of getting domestic partnership passed to be heard on the floor. For us here in Wyoming this is a huge accomplishment and a lot of people worked really hard on these bills, it is so fantastic for us to be able to push this further when just two years ago we were up against a DOMA bill at the state level. Also- Representative Hutchings was spouting the same hateful rhetoric and ridiculous-ness two years ago during those debates and somehow she still got elected.
Wow. I’m a “Black,” lesbian and this woman is blind.
People like her, with that disgusting mentality, were the ones her ancestors fought against. She’s a hypocrite and an embarrassment. Civil rights are human rights!
Well: Intelligence and empathy might be inborn… Just not in everyone….
Wow.
I live in Wyoming and met this retarded bitch several times. She has the personality of a dildo, a big black one. How can a black woman be a republican? If this skank wants to live in the dark ages she needs to get used to being a slave, doesn’t she :D
What an ignorant fool. Science DOES point to sexuality (of all kinds) as a result of genetics. We have no direct evidence of what causes heterosexuality either, but I don’t hear straight people asserting its a choice. There isn’t a single gene for sexuality just as there isn’t a height gene, or a hair color gene. Ask a biologist, you dumbass.
@Will LeSeur: Nobody chooses what they find attractive and arousing. The fluidity of sexuality isn’t an implication of choice. We aren’t choosing what food tastes or music we like. Senses aren’t conscious decisions. The acting upon sexuality is the only choice.
@Patricia Clark you obviously haven’t heard enough if you don’t think gays have been beaten and even killed for loving someone. Do you really think it matters HOW people are tortured? The fact is people are still tortured for idiotic reasons, and it needs to stop.
we all need our equal rights. not just for some. and we have had our share of bullying too.
I love is when a black person opens there mouth and shows they are a bigotry as well as her ignorance. How do people like this person every get in office.
@melanie domestic partnerships are a condescending concept, we should be able to be married with all the same rights as a heterosexual couple
@Patricia Clark: Ever heard of Matthew Shepherd? Enough said, you ignorant loudmouth.
On one hand, this person shouldn’t be trying to silence the gay movement. On the other hand, racism still isn’t over and every time somebody says “Gay is the new black” I roll my eyes. It erases the gay black people who face stigma because of their race, their sexual orientation, and daring to love both at the same time.