While not directly charging sexual orientation bias, Rep. Jeanette Oxford, D-St. Louis City, said she had heard some members of the committee found her "offensive."
Oxford has served on the Special Standing Committee on Children and Families for four years but said she has not been given a satisfactory answer on why House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin, denied her a position on the committee.
The power to appoint representatives to committees rests solely with the House speaker, but the minority leader is able to make recommendations.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Accusation: No lesbians for Ron Richard
A legislator who was denied a committee assignment continues to hint that Speaker of the House Ron Richard, R-Joplin, kept her off the committee because she is a lesbian:
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3 comments:
It's possible, of course, that her sexual orientation is the issue. But let me propose another reason pro-life people might find her presence on the Special Standing Committee on Children and Families offensive - she's vocally pro abortion. This is a position which is regarded by many, and with good cause, as being anti-child and anti-family since it involves snuffing out children and nipping budding families before they even get started.
Rep. Oxford is pro choice, meaning that she supports the woman's right to choose abortion within the limits of law if that seems the best alternative for her. Pro choice people are not in favor of "snuffing out children and budding families." They simply do not want the legislature making medical decisions for women. Women who choose abortion have to deal with the moral consequences of their actions, but any law forbidding all abortions (as some, but not all pro-life groups propose) under any circumstances removes the power of moral agency from women. Abortion is a complicated issue, but the discussion isn't helped when pro-choice people are labeled "pro abortion."
Tom is more on track than anyone including Mott-Oxford. It's common for those who don't get what they want to make things up as to why they didn't. This is such a case.
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