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Utah Legislator Chris Buttars latest tirade against LGBT people cost him the chairmanship of the powerful Senate Judicial Committee. This action was confirmed by the ranking Senate Majority leader Waddoups in a public statement viewed by thousands via live Internet on 2-20-09.
Waddoups stated that the Buttars right to free speech will be honored but he was "freeing" Chris Buttars and the Judaical committee so that they may work without the burden of controversy. Waddoups also said by doing this Buttars would be free to pursue his political objectives in regards to LGBT rights issues.
When Waddoups was questioned whether this was considered punishment he responded it was not. When asked if this Censure of Buttars would preclude him from repeating as he has a history of doing, anti GLBT and racist tirades Waddoups responded "I am very bad at predicting the future". Waddoups like the rest of the politicians questioned did not indicate whether they are in agreement with Buttars regarding LBGT issues.
Waddoups attemped to conclude the meeting amid heated requests he clarify why Buttars was not at least removed from his seat on the Rules Committee if not removed completely from the Utah State Senate.
Buttars wrote in the Utah Senate Blog
"I was disappointed to learn of the Utah State Senate’s Censure on Feb. 20, 2009. However, this action will not discourage me from defending marriage from an increasingly vocal and radical segment of the homosexual community."
Buttars will essentially be free to "kill them all" as LGBT bills have to first come before the Rules Committee before moving on in the Senate.
Evidently we are "radical" because we will no longer accept being traumatized by the likes of Chris Buttars, but in Utah for now, the status quo is maintained.
By Kelli Busey
January 20, 2009
planetransgender
