Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
OC Politician Says Gays Stole Rainbow From God
Rainbow, but no flood (Photo by Calvin Fleming via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
()
One OC politician is slinging some serious allegations against gays: Newport Beach City Councilman Scott Peotter claims the "homosexual movement" stole the rainbow as a symbol from God and have corrupted it for their own use.
And now that he's catching major heat for criticizing the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage in an email blast to his constituents, Peotter sees himself as a victim in this crime.
In his bi-monthly newsletter, Peotter declares that the SCOTUS ruling "overturns 5,000 years of Judeo-Christian tradition, by redefining and allowing gay marriage," according to the L.A. Times. Also in the email, which bears the Newport Beach city seal, he shared this gem about his insight on rainbows, "I do find it interesting that the homosexual movement adopted the rainbow as their symbol, as it was God's symbol that he wouldn't destroy the world by flood again. And maybe they are wishful thinking [sic]."
So, by using the rainbow as a symbol, the "homosexual movement" is hoping God won't destroy the world by flood?
Support for LAist comes from
Far from developing a rainbow coalition, Peotter has instead incurred the wrath of gay rights leaders and, well, lots of people. Kevin O'Grady, executive director of the LGBT Center of Orange County, called Peotter's comments "homophobic" and "disturbing." O'Grady tells the L.A. Times, "I'm sick and tired of politicians using the gay community to express their bigotry without there being any response to it."
Newport Beach Mayor Ed Selich is staying as far away from Peotter and his rainbow theories as possible, explaining that he disagreed with the councilmember's comments, "From my standpoint, personally, and speaking as mayor, his comments are inappropriate for a council member and not reflective of city policy in any way. He should have chosen a platform where his opinions wouldn't be confused with the city's."
But Peotter is not backing down. He argues that he is not homophobic or against the LGBT community. Instead he's merely sharing his thoughts in favor of "traditional" marriage and believes the Supreme Court shouldn't have interfered with the laws. Positioning himself as a victim, Peotter explains, "The homosexual movement is taking a symbol that was meant for something else and is corrupting it for their use. The people that are out there criticizing me for [the email] are leading the cry for no name-calling and tolerance, but they're intolerant of any view but their own."
Peotter's one concession is that he's agreed to stop using the Newport Beach city seal in his bi-monthly email correspondence, per the mayor's request. Big gesture, Peotter. And it seems that this is not Peotter's first strong stance taken against the LGBT community. According to the L.A. Times, he belonged to the Irvine Values Coalition, a group that attempted to remove gays and lesbians from protection under Irvine's human rights ordinance in the late 1980s.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist