CWA Asks: Why Is Transportation Sec. Mineta Celebrating 'Gay Pride' with Taxpayers' Money?

- June 19, 2003
Democrat gay activist compares opponents to 'cancer' at DOT event
Washington, D.C. - Concerned Women for America is questioning why the Bush Administration's Transportation Secretary, Norman Mineta, gave an award to a radical "gay" and pro-abortion-rights Massachusetts state senator who has a history of strongly opposing the administration's positions on family issues.

On Tuesday, Sec. Mineta presented Jarrett T. Barrios-Policy Chair for the Massachusetts Democratic Party and a leading homosexual activist in the state-with an honorary plaque after Barrios addressed an official Department of Transportation (DOT) "gay pride" event held at DOT headquarters. The event received DOT, and therefore taxpayer, funding.

In his speech, state Sen. Barrios, the first openly homosexual Latino elected to a state office, linked homosexuality to past civil rights causes and compared critics to "cancer."

LaBarbera said, "We expected this sort of taxpayer-funded 'gay' activism under Bill Clinton, but not more than two years into the Bush presidency. Secretary Mineta, the only non-Republican in the Cabinet, may be fully in line with the Democratic Party's embrace of homosexuality, but he's out of step with his boss. As for Mr. Barrios, to compare defenders of the natural family and marriage to 'cancer' is an affront to all taxpaying Americans-and certainly to the millions of Christians and people of faith who helped elect President Bush."

Sen. Barrios' record in the Massachusetts legislature includes:

1. He voted to adjourn rather than take up a state constitutional amendment affirming marriage as between a man and a woman. This action violated the Massachusetts Constitution, which requires that lawmakers vote on proposed amendments receiving the required number of signatures;

2. He is the lead sponsor of a bill that would create Vermont-type homosexual "civil unions" in the state;

3. His website declares that Barrios "is the only candidate who has been endorsed by NOW and NARAL," two leading pro-abortion organizations in America.