HRC: Santorum’s Anti-Gay Rhetoric Meeting Icy Reception in New Hampshire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
January 5, 2012

Santorum’s Anti-Gay Rhetoric Meeting Icy Reception in New Hampshire

Extremist Candidate Booed After Comparing Marriage Equality to Polygamy

Washington – GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum was booed in New Hampshire today after comparing marriage equality to polygamy. According to the New York Times, while answering a question about marriage equality, Santorum said: “If you’re not happy unless you’re married to five other people, is that O.K.?” The audience booed Santorum, who continued on saying:  “What about three men?” According to the media report, audience members continued booing Santorum as he exited the event.

“Rick Santorum’s anti-gay hate is not going to perform well in New Hampshire. His reception there is indicative of just how poorly he will fare with mainstream voters as the primaries progress,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Rick Santorum’s views are out of step with the majority of Americans across demographics and faiths. He is basing his campaign off of bashing an entire community of his fellow Americans. That may serve him well with certain constituencies, but it’s something most Americans will not stand for.”

Santorum has a long track record of trying to score political points off of bashing LGBT people.  In addition to speaking out against marriage equality on a regular basis, he also has criticized LGBT families and adoption, and called the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) a means of forcing “social policy into the military.” Last fall, Santorum told a gay soldier he would reinstate DADT because "any type of sexual activity has absolutely no place in the military."

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. 

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