Washington, DC -
Talking Points Memo is reporting that members of the Tea Party hurled an anti-gay slur at Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank.
Tea Party protesters swarmed the Capitol on Saturday to launch an 11th hour campaign against a health care reform bill. Representative Michele Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican, and actor Jon Voight, addressed the crowd at a morning rally before members proceeded on their own to lobby lawmakers.
Frank, who is openly gay, was approached by an older protester as he rounded a corner to leave the Longworth House Office Building. "Barney, you faggot," the anti-health care reform protester yelled. A surrounding crowd erupted in laughter.
Other sources are reporting that African-American Democratic lawmakers were also insulted.
Representatives Andre Carson from Indiana and John Lewis from Georgia told The Hill that they were subjected to racial epithets from protesters as they walked outside the Capitol.
"I've heard this before in the 60's," Lewis, considered a leader of the civil rights movement, said. "A lot of this is just downright hate."
Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday, Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, denounced the racial and anti-gay slurs. "We do not support that," Steele, the first black person to helm the party, said.
"What you had out there yesterday were a handful of people who just got stupid and said some ignorant things," he added.
Tea Party protesters swarmed the Capitol on Saturday to launch an 11th hour campaign against a health care reform bill. Representative Michele Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican, and actor Jon Voight, addressed the crowd at a morning rally before members proceeded on their own to lobby lawmakers.
Frank, who is openly gay, was approached by an older protester as he rounded a corner to leave the Longworth House Office Building. "Barney, you faggot," the anti-health care reform protester yelled. A surrounding crowd erupted in laughter.
Other sources are reporting that African-American Democratic lawmakers were also insulted.
Representatives Andre Carson from Indiana and John Lewis from Georgia told The Hill that they were subjected to racial epithets from protesters as they walked outside the Capitol.
"I've heard this before in the 60's," Lewis, considered a leader of the civil rights movement, said. "A lot of this is just downright hate."
Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press Sunday, Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, denounced the racial and anti-gay slurs. "We do not support that," Steele, the first black person to helm the party, said.
"What you had out there yesterday were a handful of people who just got stupid and said some ignorant things," he added.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine
