WASHINGTON – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, responded to the news that radical extremist Nevada Assemblyman Ira Hansen would withdraw as Speaker-Elect of the Nevada Assembly.

“Assemblyman Hansen’s withdrawal from selection as Speaker of the Nevada Assembly was the only acceptable outcome to this ridiculous and unfortunate situation for the people of Nevada,” said Marty Rouse, HRC’s National Field Director. “It’s utterly outrageous a man with such well-documented and disgraceful homophobic, racist, and sexist views would even be considered -- let alone selected -- to lead in such a significantly important position in the Assembly. Nevadans certainly deserve better, and the Republican Assembly Caucus undeniably should have known better.”

The radical and extremist views of Ira Hansen are well documented. The Reno News & Review documented his homophobic, racist, and sexist views, including some of these outrageous statements:

On LGBT People

"Considering only about 2 percent of adult males are homosexuals, the numbers show why homosexuals have been historically regarded as such a threat. Male homosexuals are grossly disproportionate in child molestation cases, and the youth orientation of male homosexuality drives this trend."

"I've been keeping a rough tally on homosexual/heterosexual molesters as reported locally, and roughly half of all molestations involve homosexual men preying on boys."

On African Americans

"The lack of gratitude and the deliberate ignoring of white history in relation to eliminating slavery is a disgrace that Negro leaders should own up to."

"King's private life was trashy at best. … King Jr. is as low as it gets, a hypocrite, a liar, a phony, and a fraud."

"The shrewd and calculating [black] 'leaders' are willing to sacrifice the children of their own race to gratify their lust for power and position. The relationship of Negroes and Democrats is truly a master-slave relationship, with the benevolent master knowing what’s best for his simple minded darkies. For American blacks, being denied choice and forced to attend the failing and inferior government school system is a form of involuntary servitude. Let’s call it what it truly is -- educational slavery."

On Latinos

"Locally, gangs and their associated criminal activity are obviously dominated by immigrants, especially Hispanic immigrants. You cannot read a story about criminals or watch a news report locally without noticing a grossly disproportionate amount of Hispanic involvement."

On Women

"Today, when Army men look at women in the ranks with 'longing in their eyes' it very well may constitute ’sexual harassment.’ The truth is, women do not belong in the Army or Navy or Marine Corps, except in certain limited fields."

"Women, historically, have been the nurturers and mothers while men have been the providers and defenders."

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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