North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson (R) is refusing to heed mounting calls for him to resign after he declared that homosexuality and “transgenderism” are “filth.”
While Democrats from around the nation, including the White House, have condemned Robinson’s remark, he’s found an ally in influential evangelical leader Franklin Graham who praised the foul-mouthed politician for “having the guts to stand up and tell the truth.”
Related: Democratic congressional candidate offers heartfelt apology for previous anti-LGBTQ vote
In a Facebook post, Graham incorrectly claims that Robinson is being castigated “for his strong stand against teaching transgenderism and homosexuality in our schools.”
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
“The comments that the woke cancel culture are so upset about were made personally when he was speaking at a church on a weekend,” Graham continued. “He called these topics being pushed on students ‘filth’.”
Robinson was condemning school systems for supporting LGBTQ students, but his comments were clearly aimed at LGBTQ people and not any classes or programs. So clear, in fact, that he repeated it for anyone like Graham who didn’t understand.
“There is no reason anybody, anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality or any of that filth,” Robinson said as the congregation applauded. “And yes, I called it filth. And if you don’t like it that I called it filth, come see me about it.”
While Graham tried to spin what Robinson said, the politician is trying to make it crystal clear what he meant and that he’s not sorry in the least.
“We will not be intimidated. We will not back down. We will not change our language,” Robinson told WRAL. “The language I used, I am not ashamed of it. I will use it in the future because, again, it is time for parents in this state to take a strong stand for their children.”
“The role of a leader is to bring people together and stand up for the dignity and rights of everyone, not to spread hate and undermine their own office,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement, describing the comments as “repugnant.”
“Those are adult topics that should stay in an adult place. They have no business around children,” Robinson added. “Homosexuality is not a culture. Homosexuality is a sexual preference, and sexual preferences, I believe, do not need to be discussed in our schools.”
North Carolina's Lt. Governor, Mark Robinson, just angrily referred to the LGBTQ community as "filth."
Then he says, "Yes, I called it filth."
There's no debate here. This is open discrimination. It is completely unacceptable.
Mark Robinson should resign. pic.twitter.com/rUhzXZm8Jd
— Sen. Jeff Jackson (@JeffJacksonNC) October 7, 2021
