08/20/2012

Washington– Missouri GOP Congressman and Senate hopeful Todd Akin, who this weekend claimed that “legitimate rape” rarely led to pregnancy when discussing a woman’s right to choose, has an equally abysmal track record on issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. The Human Rights Campaign is joining with PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBT advocacy organization, in condemning Akin’s remarks and his anti-LGBT history.

“Todd Akin displayed a shockingly cold ignorance to the victims of rape this past weekend, and that’s an ignorance that unfortunately extends to his views of LGBT people as well,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Over the last decade, Akin has been one of the leading voices in the House working against the best interests of LGBT people – he’s against any kind of relationship recognition for same-sex couples; he’s made remarks that are demeaning to LGBT families; he voted against the historic repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and he refuses to support workplace protections. Todd Akin is no friend to anyone who has experienced discrimination and is looking to their elected officials to protect their rights under the law.”

“Akin's record reflects an extremist view of society,” said PROMO Executive Director A.J. Bockelman. “His endorsement list includes foes of not just choice, but also LGBT equality - such as Eagle Forum, Phyllis Schlafly and Mike Huckabee. Make no mistake, while Akin will attempt to back-peddle in his statement, when one examines his record and past statements, Akin is simply restating his beliefs loud and clear.”

Akin has consistently scored a zero on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard – meaning he has worked against equality on every single issue that impacts an LGBT person’s livelihood. Akin rejects basic relationship recognition for same-sex couples. In fact, while arguing against relationship recognition in 2009, Rep. Akin argued that children not raised by one mother and one father were more likely to end up in jail. He went on to imply that embracing marriage equality threatened the long-term survival of our nation.

Akin also has led efforts to ban same-sex weddings from occurring on Department of Defense facilities – even in states where marriage equality is the law of the land. In pushing for the ban, Akin charged that allowing qualified individuals to serve openly in the military – and marry the person they loved – was evidence of a “liberal agenda” that had “infiltrated our military.”

Akin also has consistently voted against other critical protections for LGBT people, including the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and hate crimes protections. Learn more about Akin’s abysmal track record on issues of equality.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

About PROMO: PROMO is Missouri’s statewide advocacy organization promoting equal treatment under the law for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.