Openly gay Pennsylvania legislator Brian Sims has called out gay men who hate women in a new interview.
‘Some of the most intense misogyny I see towards women comes from gay men,’ the 39-year-old says.
The Democratic rep, who says he wanted to be a ‘feminist lawyer’ when he was a teen, furthermore added that gay men’s own experience of marginalization often helps rather than hinders their misogyny.
‘[…] I would think that living a life where others marginalize you would teach you how to combat marginalization and how to recognize it,’ he said.
‘Oftentimes, it teaches people how to be good at it themselves,’ he added.
‘I serve with over a dozen closeted members’
In his interview with The Advocate, Sims furthermore says adds that he works with many closeted legislators in his state.
‘I serve with over a dozen closeted members, whom I would never identify to anybody else,’ he said.
‘When I joined the legislature, many of them were co-sponsors of anti-LGBT bills.’
Speaking about future social change, Sims said: ‘When we win full equality in the United States, it will be because of the Iowas and the Nebraskas. My message to them is that you are the champions of equality that are going to win the movement.’
‘This is a battle you can’t win’
Last month, Sims revealed some of the many homophobic letters that are sent to his office on a daily basis. One of the notes begins: ‘To the dick sucking f*ggot Brian Sims.’
Posting about the letters on Facebook, Sims said: ‘My PRIDE in being a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities is so much greater than any nastiness or aggression you’ll ever send my way because of it. This is a battle you can’t win.’
He furthermore continued: ‘My communities are stronger than you, more resilient than you, and have more reasons than ever before to FIGHT for our country!’
He concluded with the hashtag #YouAlreadyLost and also asked Facebook to keep the post up as a ‘reminder of what Pride looks like for far too many people’.
Why gay girls have it harder than gay guys (written by a gay guy)
