Montana Tea Party president kicked out after implied approval of attacks on gays
Tue. September 7, 2010 4:35 PM by GoPride.com News Staff
Helena, Mont. -
The president of the Big Sky Tea Party Association has been shoved out after making comments on his Facebook page that seemed to endorse attacks on gays.
The board of directors voted Sunday to remove Tim Ravndal.
The whole thing started when Ravndal posted this comment on his Facebook page: "Marriage is between a man and a woman period! By giving rights to those otherwise would be a violation of the Constitution and my own rights."
Another person responded: "I think fruits are decorative. Hang up where they can be seen and appreciated. Call Wyoming for display instructions."
Those comments were clearly in reference to the murder of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten and then hung on a fence in Wyoming to die.
Ravndal responded: "Where can I get that Wyoming printed instruction manual?"
Over the weekend, Ravndal told the Great Falls Tribune he didn't understand the reference.
"I wasn't even thinking about the tragedy that happened in Wyoming," Ravndal told the newspaper. "I made a mistake and I apologize to anyone I offended. I do not condone violence to any human being."
However, the comments cost him his position with the group.
"We continually make it known that we will not tolerate bigoted dialogue, behavior or messages at our functions, our meetings or within our ranks," said Big Sky Party chairman Jim Walker. "If a person demonstrates bigotry relative to sex, ethnicity, etc., they are not welcome in our organization. The Tea Party movement is about standing up for individual freedom for everyone."
The board of directors voted Sunday to remove Tim Ravndal.
The whole thing started when Ravndal posted this comment on his Facebook page: "Marriage is between a man and a woman period! By giving rights to those otherwise would be a violation of the Constitution and my own rights."
Another person responded: "I think fruits are decorative. Hang up where they can be seen and appreciated. Call Wyoming for display instructions."
Those comments were clearly in reference to the murder of Matthew Shepard, who was beaten and then hung on a fence in Wyoming to die.
Ravndal responded: "Where can I get that Wyoming printed instruction manual?"
Over the weekend, Ravndal told the Great Falls Tribune he didn't understand the reference.
"I wasn't even thinking about the tragedy that happened in Wyoming," Ravndal told the newspaper. "I made a mistake and I apologize to anyone I offended. I do not condone violence to any human being."
However, the comments cost him his position with the group.
"We continually make it known that we will not tolerate bigoted dialogue, behavior or messages at our functions, our meetings or within our ranks," said Big Sky Party chairman Jim Walker. "If a person demonstrates bigotry relative to sex, ethnicity, etc., they are not welcome in our organization. The Tea Party movement is about standing up for individual freedom for everyone."