The late James Forrester, the North Carolina state senator who was the chief sponsor of Amendment One, was interviewed by veteran journalist Michelangelo Signorile in September of 2011. In this video posted by Signorile, the late Senator Forrester could not support any of his medical or other claims about same-sex marriage or homosexuality, claiming he read in a book or on a government website accusations he made that Signorile clearly debunked. Forrester died on October 31, 2011.
“North Carolina GOP state Sen. James Forrester — who is also a medical doctor — sponsored legislation in that state that puts on a ballot a measure, in May of 2012, that if passed will ban marriage for gays and lesbians in the state,” Signorile wrote on YouTube:
At a town hall several weeks ago he argued that it was needed because gays have an “unhealthy lifestyle” and die “20 years earlier” than other people. But in this clip from my interview with him he could not back up those claims with any data from public health officials. He also would not answer questions about why he was pushing the amendment, saying I was trying to “trip” him up. This clip from the interview focuses on some of the relevant points, showing that this man, who is also a doctor, knows little about the law or public health. A stunning, extraordinary fact given that he is a 10th term legislator in North Carolina.
In the video, Signorile discusses with Forrester his belief that gay men die 20 years younger than heterosexual men — a disgusting lie that is easily debunked.
In the video, Forrester refused to admit he is wrong, and sticks to his belief that gay men die 20 years earlier because as a doctor he has had “a few AIDS patients,” a claim so ridiculous it’s offensive. it’s like saying that a doctor can say women die earlier than men because they had a few breast cancer patients who died.
Forrester even stated that he based his opinions on gays on his knowledge — his AIDS patents — but “maybe my knowledge is not correct.”
On Amendment One, Wikipedia notes that Senator Forrester “had introduced this amendment at every session since 2004,” and adds:
Forrester came under fire for allegedly misrepresenting his medical credentials. He claimed to be a member of the American Medical Association, a fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine and an associate fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association. The ACPM revealed that Forrester was not a member of the ACPM, let alone a fellow. Later that day, Laura Leslie of WRAL-TV in Raleigh learned that Forrester was not an associate fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association either. The next day, Leslie reported that Forrester was not a member of the American Medical Association. Senator Forrester’s response to this was, “If there’s anything falsified on my records it was inadvertently done.†He added, “The gay and lesbian community is looking for anything they can to discredit me.â€
A constitutional ballot initiative, Amendment One would change North Carolina’s constitution by permanently banning same-sex marriage, removing orders of protection from domestic violence victims, and even remove children from their parents’ insurance policies.
While we don’t care to speak ill of the dead, Senator Forrester’s legacy — Amendment One — will harm families and children so excessively it’s disgusting that it was created and pushed through based on his anti-gay hatred and ignorance.
Related:
James Forrester, Senator Who Led Battle Against Gay Marriage, Dead At 74
Lawmaker: Gays “Out Baring Their Breasts†Made City A “Cesspool Of Sinâ€
Gay Marriage: North Carolina Senate Votes To Put Ban Before Voters