Daryl Metcalfe.
His name has been a thorn in the side of LGBT advocates for years, and his stance on LGBT issues has been rightfully compared to that of former Sen. Rick Santorum — whose ousting from office was largely credited to the work of LGBT activists.
But Metcalfe continues his virulently homophobic reign from Harrisburg, unfurling his wrath on everyone from out Rep. Brian Sims — whom he accused of being in “open rebellion against God’s law” for applauding the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act on the House floor — to victims of domestic violence, as he was the lone state legislator who refused to sign on to a simple Domestic Violence Awareness Month resolution because he said the measure furthered the “homosexual agenda.”
There are many words to describe Metcalfe, but “out of touch” may be the gentlest.
Metcalfe again exemplified how far removed he is from the rest of the state and country this week by his continued pledge to block efforts to advance a bill that would ban discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Such legislation is already on the books in more than a third of the states in the country, including every state in the Northeast — save the Keystone State.
And recent polling has shown that almost three-quarters of Pennsylvania citizens would support such a law.
But, in true Metcalfe fashion, the House State Government Committee chair said he would not grant the measure a hearing nor allow the legislation to come up for a vote; without passing out of committee, the bill would be, yet again, dead on arrival. Either the Butler County lawmaker has an affinity for powerplays or his LGBT animus is so deeply ingrained that he’s prevented from seeing both logic and reason. Or maybe a bit of both.
The LGBT community has waited too long for the movement to be further held up by someone of the likes of Daryl Metcalfe. LGBT people every day face harassment, discrimination and unfair treatment — which can lead to physical, economic and emotional turmoil — because our state lacks LGBT protections.
Our community needs to rejuvenate the furor that booted Santorum out of office and mobilize against Metcalfe’s immobility — inundating his office and the offices of his fellow committemembers, and tapping into the creativity that permeates this activism-driven community to get across a clear message: Harassment, discrimination and unfair treatment deserve no place in Pennsylvania, especially from our elected officials.