Image via Think Progress
Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson is a known homophobe. In fact, A&E suspended him from his show briefly after a GQ interview in which he made blatantly homophobic statements. However, that suspension was short-lived. As always money trumped the common good. Well, now, Robertson is back, spewing more homophobic bile. He’s gone even farther this time, though. He actually had the audacity to suggest that sexually transmitted diseases exist because God is punishing the human race for homosexuality,?Think Progress?reports.
Robertson is now pushing a new book, and was a guest on fellow homophobe Tony Perkins’ radio show to promote it. When Perkins, leader of the notoriously homophobic Family Research Council, asked about the controversy from last year, Robertson said:
?Do you think it’s a coincidence. that all of these debilitating ? literally that can cause death ? diseases follow that kind of conduct??God says, ?One woman, one man,? and everyone says, ?Oh, that’s old hat, that’s that old Bible stuff. But I’m thinking, well let’s see now. A clean guy ? a disease-free guy and a disease-free woman ? they marry and they keep their sex between the two of them. They’re not going to get chlamydia, and gonorrhea, and syphilis, and AIDS. It’s safe.?
While I think we can all agree that monogamy means a lower chance for the transmission of STI’s, Mr. Robertson has left out a few key points when it comes to his bigoted theory. For one thing, at this point in time, gay people, due to the AIDS crisis of the 80’s, are much more likely to practice safer sex. Education is key here. At this point in time, there are just as many cases of heterosexually identified people with HIV and other STI’s as there are gay men. Further- and this is the real kicker- women who exclusively have sex with women have much lower rates of HIV and other STI’s than the general population does. If Mr. Robertson’s theory were correct, lesbians would be riddled with HIV and other STI’s, but we are not. So, explain that, Mr. Robertson. You won’t, though, because that statistical fact does not support your bigoted viewpoints. Robertson went on to say:
??Either it’s the wildest coincidence ever that horrible diseases follow immoral conduct, or, it’s God saying, ?There’s a penalty for that kind of conduct.? I’m leaning towards there’s a penalty for it.?
If this is true, Mr. Robertson, please explain the AIDS cases among heterosexuals, and the low levels of infection among lesbians. You won’t, though, because if you acknowledge these scientific facts, you entire argument falls apart.
In order to not seem completely hateful, Robertson concluded:
??I’m as much of a homophobe as Jesus was. People who are participating in homosexual behavior ? they need to know that I love them.?
Mr. Robertson, I’ve had your kind of “love” directed at me my entire life from fundamentalist Christians. I assure you, there is nothing loving about it. If you think there is, your idea of love is extremely twisted and warped, and I am much better off without it.
Listen to the clip below, via Good As You if you can stomach this much bigotry in one conversation.
Let us know your thoughts at the Liberal America Facebook page. Sign up for our free daily newsletter to receive more great stories like this one.
