EMILYs List Statement on Rep. Jason Lewis’ Homophobic Statements
For Immediate Release
August 8, 2018
EMILYs List Statement on Rep. Jason Lewis’ Homophobic Statements
Washington, D.C. — Today BuzzFeed News reported additional shameful remarks from Rep. Jason Lewis (MN-02) when he was a radio host, this time disparaging the LGBTQ community. CNN previously reported on misogynistic and racist statements by Lewis. Christina Reynolds, vice president of communications at EMILYs List, released the following statement:
“These new revelations show that Rep. Lewis is a hateful person with misogynistic, racist, and homophobic views. The statements unearthed today are especially personal for Angie Craig, who’s likely to make history as one of the first openly lesbian mothers elected to Congress. While Lewis continues to offend and defend his shameful past, Angie will continue proving that she’ll be a voice for all Minnesotans. EMILYs List is proud to be standing alongside this future congresswoman.”
BACKGROUND:
BuzzFeed News: A Republican Lawmaker Seeking Reelection Once Compared Gay People To “Rapists” And Other Criminals
“I’ll probably get in trouble for this, but I’m still not convinced that it’s a great idea for children to grow up with two moms or two dads. […] Maybe it could harm the kid.”
“Now, you've got the modern welfare state that tells black folks and Hispanic folks and poor white folks: 'Don't worry. We'll take care of you.' What is the difference? You've substituted one plantation for another.”
CNN: GOP congressman said blacks have 'entitlement mentality' and view themselves as victims
“There's a cultural problem in the African-American community that is leading to this. The entitlement mentality,” Lewis said in December 2012. “You're a victim. It's OK to hate women, beat up women. It's OK to hate gays. All this, we're just sort of feeding this to people who are very lost because of the breakdown of society to begin with.”
CNN: A GOP congressman once lamented not being able to call women 'sluts' anymore
“But it used to be that women were held to a little bit of a higher standard. We required modesty from women. Now, are we beyond those days where a woman can behave as a slut, but you can't call her a slut?”
EMILYs List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $500 million to support pro-choice Democratic women candidates – making them one of the most successful political organizations ever. Our grassroots community of over five million members helps Democratic women wage competitive campaigns – and win. We recruit and train candidates, support strong campaigns, research the issues that impact women and families, and turn out women voters. Since our founding in 1985, we have helped elect 116 women to the House, 23 to the Senate, 12 governors, and over 800 to state and local office. Forty percent of the candidates EMILYs List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color. Since the 2016 election, thousands of women and counting have reached out to us about running for office. To harness this energy, EMILYs List has launched Run to Win, an unprecedented effort to get more women to run at the local, state, and national levels.
