GOP Lawmaker: ‘Leviticus 20:13’ And ‘Disease’ Reasons To Oppose Gay Marriage

Andy Gipson, a Republican state Representative from Mississippi earlier this month on Facebook wrote that gay marriage is “sin,” and the “only opinion that counts is God’s: see Romans 1:26-28 and Leviticus 20:13.” Gipson later expanded upon the post in a response, by saying same-sex marriage is “morally wrong,” “horrific social policy,” “Unnatural behavior which results in disease,” “Confusing behavior which is harmful to children,” and weakens “our culture,” and the “social order and prosperity.”

Leviticus 20:13 reads:

If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Romans 1:26-28 reads:

^26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: ^27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. ^28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Gipson’s comments in full, emphasis ours:  

Sorry I’ve been busy and not had a chance to reply. David, in addition to the basic principal that it is morally wrong, here are three social reasons it’s horrific social policy: 1) Unnatural behavior which results in disease, not the least of which is its high association with the development and spread of HIV/AIDS; 2) Confusing behavior which is harmful to children who have a deep need to understand the proper role of men and women in society and the important differences between men and women, and fathers and mothers; and 3) Undermines the longstanding definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, a definition which has been key to all aspects of social order and prosperity. Anytime that definition is weakened our culture is also weakened. And yes, that is also true for other conduct which weakens marriage’s importance in society.

And

Jeramy, our State government is in the business of making laws which reflect policy of the State. Carrying your logic to the next level, we would have no laws or policies. A point to remember is, Mississippi already has a policy in our State as defined in our State constitution which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The people of Mississippi voted on that issue in the year 2004, if I am not mistaken. Many people voted because of their religious convictions and beliefs on the subject. So what we have here is a President who is offering his opinion that that our State policy is wrong, or incorrect. My point is, he is wrong.

Unity Mississippi offers a point-by-point rebuttal. A few excerpts:

Disease is a ridiculous argument. Being gay does not equal disease just like being straight does not equal disease-free. A heterosexual person with HIV or terminal cancer can still get a marriage license, but a loving gay couple of 20+ years cannot. To argue that disease is a legitimate reason to deny marriage to loving same-sex couples is absurd. Humans spread disease not sexual orientation.

Research shows children who grow up in households with gay parents have normal self-esteem. Also, churches, governments, and individuals telling children and adults they are unnatural is what’s harmful to children.

A culture divided by bigotry is a weakened culture. When the LGBT community has full equality under the law, our society and culture will be stronger. Our youth will recognize that all Americans are equal and respected by our government. It’s really quite simple.

And adds:

Mr. Gipson needs to realize he represents all of his constituents. He should not cherry-pick which constituents he wants to work for. He should also realize his positions are neither popular nor Republican. LGBT individuals, couples, and families help pay Gipson’s salary. It’s important that he remember that.

We called Rep. Gipson’s office and spoke with his secretary but Rep. Gipson has not yet returned our call.

UPDATE: 05.19: The offending post on Facebook has been removed. Rep. Gipson never responded to our telephone call nor to our follow-up email, but it seems he got the message.

To Rep. Gipson: You still owe your constituents and all of America an explanation. We’re happy to discuss this with you.

Hat-tip: Towleroad