Bill Richardson apologizes to gays

Democratic presidential candidates will discuss the concerns of gays at a debate scheduled for next month in Los Angeles and, based on a story now posted on gaynewswatch.com, Bill Richardson might have some explaining to do if he agrees to participate.

The story reports that more than a year after uttering a word widely considered a Spanish-language slur for homosexuals, Richardson has issued a written apology. Richardson used the term, "maricón," while appearing on the Don Imus radio show (at the time, the pair were quite tight).

Contacted by The Times, the Richardson campaign confirmed the gist of the lengthy story and that he had sent the apology. Richardson --- who grew up in Mexico City, the son of an American dad and Mexican mom --- said in the statement that, “In the Spanish I grew up speaking, the term means simply ‘gay,’ not positive or negative. It has been brought to my attention that the word also has a hurtful or derogatory connotation, which was never my intent. If I offended anybody, I’m sorry.”

The story, a version of which is slated to appear Wednesday in Los Angeles-based "IN" magazine, asserts that based on its research, Richardson may be cutting himself a bit of slack in saying he had been unaware of the term's derogatory connotation. And it disputes his contention that the timing of the matter surfacing publicly "smacks of politics — it comes as I am gaining momentum and moving up in the polls.”

The debate on gay issues, announced Tuesday, is co-sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and Logo, a cable network. It is to be held Aug. 9, starting at 6 p.m. (PDT), and Logo plans to broadcast the proceedings live, as well as stream video of it from its website, LOGOonline.com.

So far, Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama have confirmed they will participate. Questioners are to include singer Melissa Etheridge.

-- Don Frederick

Photo: Gov. Bill Richardson; Credit: Mannie Garcia/AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[CNYAlison]

Governor Richardson doesn't hate gay people. His comment was dumb, but not hateful. He does not hold any prejudices for any groups, including any based on sexual orientation. His consistent, proactive, record working to ensure equal civil rights for everyone means more than this one juvenile comment. He should be above using that word, he certainly should, but I believe his apology was sincere, and I believe he hasn't nor will he ever use it again.

I'd encourage everyone to check out this article about the whole thing in addition to the others out there:
http://www.queerty.com/news/richardson-apologizes-for-anti-gay-moment-20070710/

Think of how kids say "God, this is so gay" when something is stupid, annoying, or whatever. That's absolutely an inappropriate thing to say, but it doesn't indicate hatred for homosexuals. I just think that his record on civil rights is more telling about his character and his position on gay rights than this one comment.
Here's a sampling of his record, courtesy of sangfroid826 on Matthew Yglesias's blog earlier today:
1.) He made sure sexual orientation was included in New Mexico's hate crimes legislation.
2.) He backs same-sex civil unions.
3.) He's been against Don'tAskDon'tTell since it's inception.
4.) The same-sex domestic partners of New Mexico state employees have health coverage per Richardson's executive order.
5.) He's won and lost a series of political knifefights over the Defense of Marriage Act.

[Marshalldoc]

I'm glad "CNYAlison" posted the foregoing comment.

Given the information provided (even without following the link) it's clear that Gov. Richardson's record speaks far louder than the epithet he used (knowingly or otherwise).

Granted, Richardson's an experienced politician should have known better and it's perfectly reasonable to call him on it. Nonetheless, failing to list his exemplary equal rights record, puts Frederick's story, sadly, into the "gotcha" tabloid jounalism category rather than into the 'cutting edge investigative journalism' catagory with which I suspect he'd have rather been associated.

Again, thanks to "CNYAlison" for some leavening here...

[Stephen Cassidy]

It was a lapse in judgment by Richardson. He apologized now and last year after it occurred. I think he was set up by Imus but he shouldn't gone down that path.

In the end, I judge candidates on their records. In Congress, Richardson voted against the Pentagon's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and will reverse it when President. In New Mexico, a state evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, Richardson

* expanded anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
* provided state health insurance for domestic partnerships,
* signed into law the state's first hate crimes legislation for crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity,
* transformed health services in the state for AIDS patients.

And if the few state senators hadn't block it, the state would have now a Domestic Partner Rights Act. Richardson fought hard for the legislation. Have any of the other Presidential candidates called on their state legislatures and governors to enact Domestic Partners statutes?

Recently, the Bay Area Reporter, the leading LGBT paper for San Francisco, profiled Richardson noting:

B.A.R. publisher Thomas E. Horn, who was born and raised in New Mexico and whose family has been involved in the state's politics – an uncle served as a state legislator and then the state's Democratic Party chair in the 1950s and 1960s – first met Richardson when he served as a congressman.

"I really think he is the most qualified Democrat in the race for president," Horn wrote in an e-mail. "His track record is exceptional. He's done a fine job as governor ... and was re-elected with around 70 percent of the vote."

Horn, who said he expects to make an endorsement in the primary but has yet to back a candidate, said winning the southwest will be key to the Democrats taking back the White House. Not only does he see Richardson having an advantage in the West, but Horn also praised his gay rights track record.

[Stephen Cassidy]

A couple of other notes: Richardson has also been the only candidate that I'm aware of who has criticized Bush on his threat to veto Washington, DC appropriations bill because of the domestic partner registry.

Richardson likes staying at the homes of supporters on his trips - it helps him gain a much better understanding of the views of people across the nation than he would obtain if he checked into hotels.

In a visit to San Francisco earlier this year, Richardson was going to stay with supporter who is friend of mine. Heis gay, and lives in the Castro District of SF with his partner and children. Richardson didn't know in advance my friend is gay. My friend didn't want to surprise Richardson and checked with the campaign as to whether Richardson would have any problem spending the night as his house. Richardson's response was absolutely not.

As it turned out Richardson's plans got shifted, he came into San Francisco the morning of the fundraiser - not the night before so he didn't need lodging. But the point is Richardson in his personal life is comfortable and welcoming of gays and does not practice discrimination.

[AJ]

Richardson is a disgusting human being who needs to crawl under the closest rock and disappear forever!