DES MOINES – An allegedly dismissive response from an Iowa state Representative about his previous use of the gay slur term “red rider” has brought calls for an apology.
On Saturday, March 25, State Rep. Ralph Watts of Adel, Iowa attended an event at the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce sponsored by Drive With Cops. At the event, Karin Derry questioned him about his previous use of “red rider”, a derogatory term for a gay man, at a public forum. Rep. Watts’ responded to Derry’s question by saying “anything you say to a gay anymore is a gay slur.”
Youtube user “Jefferson1 IndivisibleIowa” posted a video recording of the exchange.
One Iowa Executive Director Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel issued a statement condemning Rep. Watts’ response:
“This is an unacceptably dismissive and unapologetic response to a valid question about his previous use of a slur,” Hoffman-Zinnel said. “Words have real power to hurt and suppress marginalized communities, and Rep. Watts is failing to take responsibility for his words and shifting blame to the very community his words are hurting. Further, his use of the phrase ‘a gay’ is homophobic and dehumanizing. We ask him to apologize for his actions.”
“Further, his use of the phrase ‘a gay’ is homophobic and dehumanizing.”
Huh?
Red Rider?? But that’s a BB gun.
Well I guess I won’t be able to order a pizza anymore since pizzagate and the pedophiles in DC passed a bill banning it.
Red Rider? What the hell does that mean? Does this mean I will have to quit saying TONTO ? Holy crap! Enough of this crap – Had a Red Rider BB gun once -Was I anti gay and too young to know it? Heaven forbid! Red Rider and Obama ride again. Bipartisan of course!
Comments in this thread represent why Mason City is dying. No one wants to come to a town where they don’t feel welcome. No businesses are going to set up shop in MC when the majority of its citizens hold the views of the rep being questioned. Enjoy your new Panda Express jobs.
This PC shi*t is really starting to get old FAST! Make America great again, losers. Oh, and GET A JOB
Mean while children go hungry, handicap citizens struggle through their daily lives and terminally ill prepare for the end. If you can walk, talk and wipe your own ass shut up! and focus on helping those who cant.
That’s not a slur it’s a BB gun , maybe he should have been PC and said don’t shot your eye out homo. Lol.
Gay? I’m OFFENDED I can’t use that term to describe, happy!
Oh whoa is me, I am so confused to say anything might hurt someone —
Hoffman-Zinnel said. “Words have real power to hurt and suppress marginalized communities, and Rep. Watts is failing to take responsibility for his words and shifting blame to the very community his words are hurting. Further, his use of the phrase ‘a gay’ is homophobic and dehumanizing. We ask him to apologize for his actions.”
Maybe someone needs to invent a weapon that says words instead of bullets(?) Then we would only “hurt” not kill, hahahahahah hahahahahaha
what a sad state of affairs this has become
He 100 percent correct.
Well call me naive but I did not know the term red rider was derogatory and I agree with “you can’t say anything to an body anymore without offending someone.” Free speech is dead if you are not a part of the progressive movement. I am offended by your being offended so there…….
People need to grow up and move on. There is not one race, gender, religion or political preference that is better than anyone else. Where the h… is diversity on the left?
Right on.