Legislator Blocks Openly Gay Colleague From Speaking About DOMA, Cites ‘God’s Law’
By Annie-Rose Strasser on Jun 28, 2013 at 9:00 am
Openly gay Pennsylvania state Representative Brian Sims (D) planned to speak on the legislature floor on Wednesday about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act — but he was blocked from talking by a Republican colleague who said his comments would be “open rebellion against God’s law.” Now, Sims is asking for a reprimand of his Republican colleague.
Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R), who is known for his inflammatory remarks, also blocked two of Sim’s colleagues who wanted to speak about DOMA, and openly admitted that his religious beliefs compelled him not to let Sims speak:
“I did not believe that as a member of that body that I should allow someone to make comments such as he was preparing to make that ultimately were just open rebellion against what the word of God has said, what God has said, and just open rebellion against God’s law,” said Metcalfe, R-Butler.
Other Republican members of the legislature reportedly apologized to Sims — who was the first lawmaker in the state to be elected while openly gay.