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Utah Sen. Chris Buttars Stands Behind Homophobic Words


Following his removal from two Utah senate committees for homophobic remarks, Sen. Chris Buttars went on record Friday, standing behind his beliefs. Buttars published his reaction to being censured in a statement posted on Senate Site , a website by the Utah Senate Majority.

"In recent years, registering opposition to the homosexual agenda has become almost impossible," he wrote. "Political correctness has replaced open and energetic debate. Those who dare to disagree with the homosexual agenda are labeled 'haters,' and 'bigots,' and are censured by their peers.

Buttars added that conservatives are being targeted by the left-leaning media that "uses their position of public trust as a bully pulpit."

Buttars was removed from the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee and the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee after a closed door meeting among senate Republicans. Buttars was featured in a documentary saying that gays are "the greatest threat to America," and comparing them to radical Muslims.

"It's the beginning of the end," Buttars said in 8: The Mormon Proposition . "Oh, it's worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide."

The Wednesday before Buttars was removed, gay rights activist Jacob Whipple called for Buttars' resignation from the senate.

Buttars also came under fire after in February 2008 speaking on the floor about a school-funding bill. "This baby is black," he said according to the Salt Lake City Tribune. "It's a dark, ugly thing." The local NAACP demanded that he resign, calling his words "despicable." (Michelle Garcia, Advocate.com)

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Rachel Dano
    Date posted: 3/3/2009 10:23:00 AM
    Hometown: Basking Ridge

    Comment:

    Mr. Buttars - Thank god you are part of society that is hopefully dying off over time. You are an old man who will be remembered as a mean hateful bigot bully. Yes you are really a tough man because you sit in your senate seat and try to degrade the LGBT community however inside you are nothing but a weak insecure white man who has been outed for what you really are. When the sicko Peter Labarbera loves you and links to your articles, you know you have hit rock bottom because he is sleaze. Please join him, Sally Kern, Matt Barber and all the other gay haters in your little happy "heaven". I hope there is a special section for you folks with a door that says "NO GAYS/TERRORISTS ALLOWED". Bless you.

  • Name: Thomas Darin
    Date posted: 2/28/2009 8:33:00 PM
    Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

    Comment:

    Until I am god with a capital G, I cannot judge others. May God Bless America and Utah when it someday starts acting like a part of it! Tom & Darin 2nd Class Citizens This past year in Utah, two 7 year old beautiful Innocent Angels were taken from us by evil in 2008. They were some of the unfortunate child murder Victims in our Family Values State. Thru Love and Taking Care of Our Fellow Man, Good Will Overpower Evil! We will be inspired by their memory to do good in this world! "I am but one man; united by friends I might be able to leave this world just slightly better than when I found it!" I believe in the power within all of us to do good. Buttars-Palooza Event February 28, 2009 google Buttars-Palooza

  • Name: Tom Darin
    Date posted: 2/28/2009 8:31:00 PM
    Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

    Comment:

    We will attempt as a GLBT Community to show by actions and good deeds that we are decent and productive members of society. We will show thru our love for our fellow man that there are many struggles which face us as a great nation, which need to be overcome. We will show our Gay Community Love without lowering ourselves to the hateful racism and bigotry and insensitivity toward others thus shown by Senator Buttars. As an individual, I promise to work to bettering my community inclusive of all humanity, and the Country in which I live. Buttars-Palooza, Utah February 28th

  • Name: Tom Darin
    Date posted: 2/28/2009 8:26:00 PM
    Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

    Comment:

    You fail to recognize my model citizen background, Westminster College B.S. degree, as well as having at least two major government related background checks, as well as being a Christian, and outspoken social advocate for change in our country and peace in our community. Who the ()/ell, do you think you are? You attempt to generalize all into one group by using outdated bigotry based stereotyping. When challenged on your hate, you give side stepped and meaningless apologies. You do not in your heart care for those that you have hurt. Your opinion is one thing; to be allowed to spout vile hate is another. I believe in Karma, what goes around comes around. (BUTTARS PALOOZA EVENT Feb 28th, 2009 Salt Lake City Utah)

  • Name: Tom Darin
    Date posted: 2/28/2009 8:22:00 PM
    Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah

    Comment:

    Who is Chrissi Land Oh Licks Buttars Gay Drag Queen of Buttars - Palooza , is it an alter ego of Senator Chris Buttars from Utah ? Oh Ho No You Don't Senator Buttars! Senator You Deserve At Least Three Drag Queen Bitch Slaps: (1)The Ugly Black Baby comments were despicable no group of people should be Hated On That Way! (2)The comments made about School Segregation are also unacceptable. (3) There are many Muslims who are excellent model citizens which were offended by your remarks, As a Christian I was offended that you made it sound like they were all terrorists. As a gay tax paying citizen I was offended. You attempt to judge me without knowing me, based upon my sexual orientation. You fail to recognize my model citizen background,

  • Name: Byron
    Date posted: 2/24/2009 3:36:00 PM
    Hometown: Long Beach

    Comment:

    Buttars has a right to his homophobic opinions, despicable as they are. But anyone who believes that " gays are "the greatest threat to America," and compares us to radical Muslims should be removed from a position of power because he does not have a firm grasp on reality, and his sanity is in question. And to Barb: If you believe that most Mormons are fair minded and eventually the Common Ground initiative will pass, then you, at the very least are indulging in self-deception and wishful thinking. Utah is a beautiful, wonderful place, but as an openly gay man, to paraphrase Philip Henry Sheridan about Texas: "If I owned both hell and Utah, I would live in hell and rent out Utah".

  • Name: John Embry
    Date posted: 2/24/2009 3:20:00 PM
    Hometown: Forestville, CA

    Comment:

    "Political correctness has replaced open and energetic debate. Those who dare to disagree with the homosexual agenda are labeled 'haters,' and 'bigots,' and are censured by their peers." Utah Senator Chris Buttars BUTCHA ARE, BLANCHE, YA ARE!!!

  • Name: don anderson
    Date posted: 2/24/2009 2:44:00 PM
    Hometown: puerto vallarta, mexico

    Comment:

    RELIGION IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO AMERICA...AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.

  • Name: Ted Hayes
    Date posted: 2/24/2009 2:14:00 PM
    Hometown: Stone Ridge, NY

    Comment:

    When you are a hater and a bigot what else would you expect to be called?

  • Name: Ted Hayes
    Date posted: 2/24/2009 2:07:00 PM
    Hometown: Stone Ridge, NY

    Comment:

    When you are a hater and a bigot what else would you expect to be called?

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