Openly Gay GA Rep. Rashad Taylor Denounces Homophobic Flyers

It was little more than one year ago that Georgia State Rep. Rashad Taylor announced that he was gay. Taylor was outed via dozens of emails to legislators and statehouse staff, accused of misusing his office and trading jobs for sex. The emails were written by the former partner of Taylor's boyfriend.

Taylor's sexuality is once again an issue. The legislator has denounced a ugly homophobic flyer that he says was distributed last weekend in Black neighborhoods in southwest Atlanta. Taylor and LGBT ally Democratic Rep. Pat Gardner were drawn into the same district and are competing for the new seat. Taylor insisted that Gardner deny and condemn the tactic, reports The GA Voice.

Taylor said he did not believe Gardner was directly involved, but the flyers would help her campaign. "I don't think Pat Gardner is behind it and I believe if she knew about it she would condemn it," Taylor said. "But there are people supporting her perhaps working under the table."

Gardner, a strong LGBT ally during her 11 years in office, said the allegation "makes me want to cry" because it is so far from the spirit of her campaign and her record as a lawmaker. "I have been very clear about gay-baiting and there will be none of it. It's sad because we are playing into the hands of the people who want to divide us," she said. "My campaign knows I feel very sternly about keeping this campaign clean. They work for me."

Taylor is the youngest member of the Georgia General Assembly. The political strategist and Morehouse College graduate turned 30 years old last year. Taylor became the first openly gay male serving in the Georgia legislature. Three of the four openly gay or lesbian state legislators serving in Atlanta are Black: Taylor, Simone Bell and Keisha Waites. 

Watch Taylor's news conference and Gardner's denial AFTER THE JUMP ...

You May Have Missed:
Story Behind GA State Rep. Rashad Taylor's Coming Out
Story Behind Rep. Taylor's Cming Out
WATCH: GA Rep. Taylor's Emotional Coming Out Speech
Georgia State Rep. Rashad Taylor Comes Out: "I Am a Gay Man"
Simone Bell Elected First Black, Lesbian State Legislator 
Joan Garner Elected 1st Openly Gay Member of Fulton Co.

Comments

[TheRevKev]

Why is this such a MESSY MESS?

Really? They've posted his ADDRESS in the flyer!? That's just kind of...scary! The level of ick on this is just wrong! The woman running against him MUST denounce this OR she's whisperingly saying I KNEW IT!

[Honut Sinti]

I wonder about the increasing viciousness in politics. Soon it will make people pause before running for office and ask themselves "Do I really want to put myself through this crap?" The people in the community lose because hardworking, caring people may choose not to step up to the plate in order to make a positive difference.

[kayman23]

Considering this is Atlanta and we are talking about 'folk', I'm not surprised. This is very tale-telling about the mindset of many people in the community being so complicit with this type of bigotry being spread to win an election.