Washington Post “conservative” writer apologizes for calling out anti-gay marriage “bigots”
DaveWeigel: I can empathize with everyone I cover except for the anti-gay marriage bigots. In 20 years no one will admit they were part of that. 11:38 AM May 1st
Stage_Right: @daveweigel The real question a journalist needs to ask is: Can one oppose same sex marriage without being an “Anti-gay Bigot”? 11:43 AM May 1st
DaveWeigel: @Stage_Right I think so. But the activists who devote their lives to stopping people getting married? I don’t know what else is there. 11:55 AM May 1st
MattKLewis: @daveweigel How can you now objectively report on SoCon events like FRC’s ‘Value Voters Summit’ when you admit you think they are “bigots”? 1:54 PM May 1st
MattKLewis: @daveweigel Is referring to those who oppose gay marriage as ‘bigots’ part of your unbiased Washington Post reporting? 1:26 PM May 1st
DaveWeigel: @mattklewis Unpleasant words are so much worse than watching 54% of your peers nullify your marriage. 1:44 PM May 1st
DaveWeigel: @mattklewis I like (and largely agree with) pro-lifers. But I do not understand or respect the motivation of anti-gay marriage campaigners. 2:12 PM May 1st
A series of Twitter posts between the Washington Post’s David Weigel, and his followers, who took his comments personally about anti-gay marriage activists being “bigots.” Weigel writes a column called ”Right Now: Inside the conservative movement and the Republican Party.” (Twitter/DaveWeigel)
Over the weekend, I got an e-mail from one of the organizations that campaign against gay marriage. The tone was boastful and celebratory about the push for a same-sex marriage ban in Minnesota…. First, I apologize for calling same-sex-marriage opponents “bigots.” I was specifically referring to people who spend their working hours opposing gay marriage, not just people who vote to ban it. But those people aren’t bigots, either….But why was I willing to be so disrespectful to one group of activists? Unlike with most activists, I don’t really see the direct impact on their lives, or on the lives of the people who agree with them, of the cause they oppose.
Dave Weigel of the Washington Post taking back his use of the word “bigots” to describe religious activists who do not want gay and lesbian couples to share the rights and responsibilities of legalized marriage. He goes on to say that there’s no threat to these activists lives, and compared the opposition to gay marriage with the “kind of sense” behind other controversial movements such as taxes, health care, and even anti-Obama “birthers.” Socially conservative bloggers are now after Weigel saying he is not a legitimate conservative. (Washington Post “Right Now”)
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