Bipartisan Criticism for Anti-Gay West Virginia State Rep in Wake of Gays, KKK Comparison

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are now condemning West Virginia state delegate Eric Porterfield, a freshman officeholder, in the wake of a string of inflammatory remarks Porterfield has made, including comparing LGBTQ people to the Ku Klux Klan, using an anti-gay epithet on the floor of the House of Delegates, calling sexual minorities a "blight on the country," and seeming to suggest that he would drown his own children should they come out as gay.

As reported by EDGE, Porterfield – who ran in last year's elections when his predecessor decided to aim for a higher office – initially ran, according to media reports, because he disagreed with a state ban on subjecting so-called "conversion therapy" on children. Reports also said that Porterfield ran for office because a protective order had been issued against him after he targeted a local obstetrician because of her views on abortion rights.

In supporting a measure that would have outlawed local anti-discrimination protections that included LGBTQs, Porterfield uttered the anti-gay slur on the floor of the House of Delegates in a reference to openly gay right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos. (The measure went down in defeat.) Later, when speaking to a reporter, he declared that "The LGBTQ is a modern-day version of the Ku Klux Klan."

Appearing on a local news channel in the wake of these comments, Porter – dressed in a suit jacket, tie, and red MAGA hat – steepened his spiral of hateful rhetoric, telling the interviewer that gays are "the most evil-spreading and hate-filled group in this country. They're the closest thing to political terrorism in America. No question about it."

Porterfield went on to say that LGBTQ Americans are "really a blight on this country, and a blight in our communities as a socialist organization."

When the reporter asked Porterfield how he would react if one or more of his own children came out as gay to him, the state lawmaker responded with, "Well, I would dress my daughter first, as I would take her for a pedicure, I'd take her to get her nails done, and see if she could swim."

He then went on to add, "If it was my son, I would probably take him hunting, I would take him fishing, then I'd see if he could swim."

After being called out for seeming to advocate murder of gay offspring, the lawmaker took to Facebook, where he characterized his comments as a joking jab at people who do not hold conservative – or, presumably, child-slaying – views.

"Liberals always take the bait," Porterfield posted in a now-deleted post, according to LGBTQ Nation.

The state's Democratic lawmakers had already condemned Porterfield's remarks, but it wasn't long before Republican officials were playing catch-up. Taking to Facebook herself, the state's Republican Party issued a statement that included remarks from state party chair Melody Potter.

"As West Virginians, we are taught to respect one another, love our neighbors, and when we disagree to seek understanding of our fellow Mountaineers," Potter stated.

"In recent days, Delegate Eric Porterfield has made comments that are hateful, hurtful, and do not reflect the values of our country, our state, and the Republican Party," Potter went on. "These comments are unacceptable and we denounce them. They have no place in America."

As outrage grows, Porterfield has professed to be the victim, saying that "socialist" forces are attempting to drive him from office. But he has also sent quite a different message, reported West Virginia Metro News: At his Facebook page (which has now seemingly disappeared from public view), Porterfield jeered, "I believe my enemies just re-elected me in 2020."

Added the lawmaker, "With their help, I won't have to campaign as hard next time. Lol."