The treasurer of Mobile County is doubling down – and then some – after posting on Facebook, “Freaking queers have gotten too much sympathy.”
NBC 15 in Mobile on Monday reported that the country treasurer, Phil Benson, recently made the comment in reference to the Mobile County Republican Party Facebook page sharing a National Review article on June 12 about the famous Colorado cake shop owner who is being sued once again after refusing to make a “gender transition cake.”
Benson responded on the Mobile County GOP’s post, saying, “This poor guy needs to move to a place he is wanted. Freaking queers have gotten too much sympathy. A real abomination.”
His comment has since been removed by the Mobile County GOP’s Facebook page administrator, however Benson is going further than his original social media post.
Partial NBC 15 interview transcript as follows:
NBC’s ANDREA RAMEY: Do you understand, though, how your words can be offensive to gay people or to anybody?
BENSON And gay people are offensive to me. Do you understand that?
RAMEY: All gay people, just because they’re gay, are offensive to you?
BENSON: They can be very offensive. All this beautiful rainbow stuff. When one of our presidents lit the White House with wonderful rainbow colors that offended me.
RAMEY: Do you have any apologies for anyone? People who we have spoken with in the LGBTQ community say this is really offensive and are offended by what you said.
BENSON: I’m sorry they are offended. Their lifestyle offends me.
RAMEY: So you stand by what you say?
BENSON:Do they offend me? Do I think that they have gotten too much power over you and I? Yes. I think too many sub groups have gotten too much control over us through the government.
This reportedly came after Benson initially insisted that before he would participate in the interview, the reporter had to sit down in his office and read Genesis 19, which is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
NBC 15 sought out comment from Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan on this local matter.
“Mr. Benson’s comments represent his own personal opinion,” she said. “I find them to be unnecessary, divisive and reflect solely on himself.”
Watch:
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.