Someone fact-checked this article from an anti-gay politician… he didn’t do well
The Human Rights Campaign has marked an op-ed from anti-gay Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal – and he definitely didn’t pass with flying colours.
Governor Jindal is one of the most anti-gay Republican politicians – having worked with listed anti-LGBT hate groups – and he this month wrote a column for the New York Times in which he argued against anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people.
In it, he claimed that “the radical left” were attempting to “bully” states into not enacting ‘religious freedom’ laws that permit homophobic discrimination by business owners – and said that anyone wanting his state to adopt anti-discrimination protections should “save your breath”.
Due to the number of errors and inaccuracies in the piece, the pro-LGBT Human Rights Campaign went over it in red marker to correct some of his errors.
He claims at one point that a Christian flower shop owner faces discrimination for “not participating in a same-sex marriage ceremony” – but HRC corrects: “The business owners is being asked to construct a bouqet, not provide a toast to the happy couple”
Later in the article, Jindal claims: “Since I became governor in 2008, Louisiana has become one of the best places to do business in America” – but HRC notes: “According to the Bureau of Labour statistics, Louisiana’s unemployment rate is higher than 45 other states”.
Elsewhere, he claimed that “polls indicate that the American consensus is changing” on same-sex marriage – but HRC point out that Governor Jindal has long missed the boat, with polls showing that over 60% of people already support it.
Tweeting the corrections to the Governor, HRC President Chad Griffin wrote: “Hey, Gov. Bobby Jindal, HRC edited your op-ed for you. You got a lot wrong.”
Unsurprisingly, the Governor is yet to reply.
Click here to read the full corrected article.
Governor Jindal has previously defended anti-gay Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, who has equated homosexuality with bestiality and claimed that AIDS is “God’s punishment” for homosexuality.
The Governor claimed the Robertsons were “great citizens” of Louisiana, and went on to attack the “politically correct crowd” for criticising the comments by Robertson.
