Republican Pennsylvania lawmaker Aaron Bernstine has been accused of making homophobic remarks targeting a Democratic political rival.
According to PennLive, Michael Ford, secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, alleged that the comments were made during an event at McGrath’s Pub.
Ford alleged that Bernstine told attendees that Democratic legislator Malcolm Kenyatta had recently lost weight because he “has AIDS”. Bernstine was also accused of using additional homophobic slurs during the incident.
Following the allegations, Pennsylvania House Democratic leadership released a statement strongly criticising the reported behaviour.
The statement said leaders hoped Bernstine would “look at his words and actions of last evening, as well as his previous numerous reprehensible behaviours, and expeditiously do the right thing for his constituents, his caucus and the chamber”.
Kenyatta has served in the Pennsylvania legislature since 2019, winning his district with 93 per cent of the vote. When he took office, he was among the youngest people elected to either chamber of the Pennsylvania State Assembly and became the first openly LGBTIQA+ person of colour elected to the legislature.
Bernstine has not responded to inquires from local media outlets, OUTinPerth also reached out to him for comment.
Pete Hegseth uses anti-transgender slur during speech
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth used an anti-transgender slur during a speech to military personnel at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Wednesday.
During his “State of the Force” address, Hegseth outlined plans to reduce the number of serving generals, arguing that some military leaders had prioritised diversity initiatives over military readiness.
Hegseth said that under his leadership the department’s focus would be on “readiness, accountability, discipline and lethality” rather than diversity programmes.
In the speech, Hegseth stated:
“But it’s worth saying again, so the fake news understands it. We are no longer the woke department or the weak department.”
He later used language that included a recognised anti-transgender slur while describing the type of personnel he believed should not serve in the military.
“Simple translation of that: no fatties, no tr***ies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors.” he said.”
LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups have previously criticised the use of such language, arguing that it contributes to stigma and discrimination against transgender people.
