My dislike for Connecticut state representative Alfred "Al" Adinolfi has never been a secret. I even called out this state legislator in the oldest still-running newspaper in America. To put it lightly, I think he's a big conservative politician with an even bigger mouth.
I expected him to oppose any progressive legislation. I might not have even called him out for it; it just would not have been a huge issue. A Republican voting like a Republican? Not very interesting. The same would have held true on HB 6599: An Act Concerning Discrimination - a relatively moderate act which, if enacted, would add gender expression and identity to the state's anti-discrimination laws. (I previously endorsed said legislation here.)
But, this shit from Rep. Adinolfi just crossed the line:
I expected him to oppose any progressive legislation. I might not have even called him out for it; it just would not have been a huge issue. A Republican voting like a Republican? Not very interesting. The same would have held true on HB 6599: An Act Concerning Discrimination - a relatively moderate act which, if enacted, would add gender expression and identity to the state's anti-discrimination laws. (I previously endorsed said legislation here.)
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| Rep. Al Adinolfi, 2011. (Source) |
Overheard: "I think this bill is discriminating against my children and grandchildren. I don't want them exposed to that." Rep. Al AdinolfiTo add insult to injury, the following was posted on his website:
Rep. Adinolfi Opposed to “Bathroom Bill”
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee recently postponed a controversial vote on the so-called “bathroom bill” which would allow transgender adults to use public bathroom and locker room facilities.
“If abused, this law could cause disruption or even assaults within a public rest room or public locker room,” Rep. Adinolfi said.
Wow.
To those of us who follow the politics of LGBTQ rights, this is nothing new: conservatives and bigots have claimed, for years, that protecting the rights of transgender and non-gender conforming citizens would -somehow- enable sex offenders to commit more sex offenses. Or something like that. But, as the Wonk Room points out, the facts don't match the rhetoric:
UPDATE: The Judiciary Committee is meeting on this very topic right now. Click here to watch the live stream.
UPDATE 2: As I finished this, the vote was being counted. More results in a bit.
UPDATE 3: While not surprising, Rep. Adinolfi just voted "no".
UPDATE 4: ctEQUALITY reports:
UPDATE 5: It passed committee!
Not only has there never been a reported case of this bathroom fear coming to fruition, there is also nothing that currently prevents a child predator from entering a bathroom as it is.Rep. Adinolfi also did not explain how this bill would be "discriminating" against his "children and grandchildren". But, as he has displayed with this "bathroom bill"-nonsense - who gives a damn about the facts? Talking is fun and it's not as if people will actually hold him accountable for saying things that are blatantly false.
UPDATE: The Judiciary Committee is meeting on this very topic right now. Click here to watch the live stream.
UPDATE 2: As I finished this, the vote was being counted. More results in a bit.
UPDATE 3: While not surprising, Rep. Adinolfi just voted "no".
UPDATE 4: ctEQUALITY reports:
The Judiciary Committee will keep the votes open until 5:30, but the roll call on HB 6599: An Act Concerning Discrimination was in our favor!If this passes committee, it travels to the legislature, where it is expected to pass. Gov. Dannel Malloy has pledged to sign it into law. Fingers crossed!
UPDATE 5: It passed committee!
