Oklahoma Senator: “Sexual orientation is like necrophilia”

“Sexual orientation is a very vague word that could be extended to extremes like necrophilia.”

Oklahoma Republican State Senator Steve Russell presented a bill yesterday in an attempt to “opt-out” of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Law. Opting-out will cost Oklahoma $5 million.

The Oklahoma Daily reports,

“The federal government should not be creating a special class of people, and that is just what they did when they passed and signed this bill,” Russell said. “All crimes against another person have some level of hate in them, and people can be assured that our laws that protect people against crimes such as murder are sufficient to protect everyone.”

Russell said because the government has decided to intervene on issues of morality, he is worried that religious leaders who speak out against any lifestyle could be imprisoned for their speech.

“The law is very vague to begin with,” Russell said. “Sexual orientation is a very vague word that could be extended to extremes like necrophilia.”

Russell said he is also concerned if someone is attacked and killed for his or her sexual orientation, the suspect could pass the blame onto a religious leader who preached out against the lifestyle of the victim who was attacked.“

Russell, attacking Congress, while unfamiliar with the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, added,

“This bill couldn’t stand on its own merits through multiple sessions of Congress, so a few activist representatives stuck it into a defense spending bill,” Russell said. “A bill supporting the troops was turned into an activist bill where, if you voted against the hate crimes act, it made you look like you were voting against the troops.”

The Oklahoma Daily added,

Russell said Oklahoma can opt out of the law on the basis of the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Joe.My.God calls it, “yet another example of the Tenther campaign to refuse to abide by federal laws.”

By the way, the first-term Republican Senator’s campaign web page proud states “The Russell family lives in south Oklahoma City and is active at First Southern Baptist Church, Del City, where Steve teaches Sunday School.” Oh, and his biggest donors are oil companies.

NewOK reports,

Only a few senators questioned Russell about the contents of his proposed amendment.

The measure passed 39-6 and now heads to the House for consideration.

Russell said his bill is meant to protect speech of all kinds.

“We just don’t want the pendulum to swing too far the other way,” he said. “This protects people to do or say whatever they want, as long as it complies with local ordinances.”

Pam’s House Blend adds,

“Here we are, back to the land of Sally Kern, where the hot bigoted wind comes sweepin’ down the plain.
“The latest piece of legislative bigotry is from State Sen. Steve Russell (R-Oklahoma City),and it’s about as low as you can go. States’ rights, peeps — let’s opt out of federal hate crimes protections!”

Personally, Steve, I think it takes common sense and uncommon courage to NOT equate sexual orientation with necrophilia. I think it takes common sense and uncommon courage to support and protect minorities, especially in a state like Oklahoma. And I think “sexual orientation” is two words.