Barrett slammed for use of ‘sexual preference’: She lives 'in a very enclosed — and homophobic — bubble'
Judge Amy Coney Barrett's responses during the first day of questioning in her Supreme Court confirmation hearing are being thoroughly criticized. In just the first hour of questioning, Coney Barrett refused to tell Senators if she would overturn the Affordable Care Act, a woman's right to abortion, or same-sex marriage.
But it was her responses to a question about discrimination that led many to express outrage.
Coney Barrett insisted she has never discriminated against LGBTQ people based on "sexual preference."
The phrase itself is offensive to LGBTQ people. Aside from being outdated, and demonstrating Judge Coney Barrett's views are antiquated, it is a term that makes clear those who use it believe being LGBTQ is a choice.
"The term 'sexual preference' is typically used to suggest that being lesbian, gay or bisexual is a choice and therefore can and should be 'cured,'" according to GLAAD. "Sexual orientation is the accurate description of an individual's enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to members of the same and/or opposite sex and is inclusive of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, as well as straight men and women."
And as attorney and author Jill Filipovic notes, Judge Coney Barrett indeed has discriminated based on "sexual preference."
Attorneys Mark Joseph Stern and Sasha Samberg-Champion both link Judge Coney Barrett's use of the offensive term to her ties to the anti-LGBTQ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).
I know the phrase “sexual preference” was common in the old days, but LGBTQ people almost never use it today, for g… https://t.co/TtzAE18xaO— Mark Joseph Stern (@Mark Joseph Stern) 1602599143
Journalist Michelangelo Signorile sums up the case perfectly:
Why can’t Barrett tell us whether right to same-sex marriage is protected? SCOTUS ruled it in 2015. She says she ca… https://t.co/kKkc28ZPZI— msignorile@mstdn.social (@msignorile@mstdn.social) 1602597917
Here's how many are responding to Coney Barrett's offensive remarks:
ACB using the phrase "sexual preference" is telling on herself.— Anthony Michael Kreis (@Anthony Michael Kreis) 1602597645
"Sexual preference," a term used by Justice Barrett, is offensive and outdated. The term implies sexuality is a cho… https://t.co/j2lac8hwI6— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1602598537
I know the phrase “sexual preference” was common in the old days, but LGBTQ people almost never use it today, for g… https://t.co/TtzAE18xaO— Mark Joseph Stern (@Mark Joseph Stern) 1602599143
Saying that you have never discriminated against someone because of their “sexual preference” is a sure fire way fo… https://t.co/5EBBAbDGwi— Guy Cecil (@Guy Cecil) 1602598744
IMPORTANT: Barrett used "sexual preference" (not "sexual orientation") when discussing her views on marriage equal… https://t.co/IxhKzKI4QE— Lambda Legal (@Lambda Legal) 1602598310
It’s not a sexual “preference,” Judge Barrett. A preference is something you choose. I’ll give you and example: “I… https://t.co/ChGe6o7QUe— George Takei (@George Takei) 1602600067
The people who use "sexual preference" do it purposely so they can justify discriminating against people for their… https://t.co/01rWxsO3Ks— L O L G O P (@L O L G O P) 1602598148
@MSignorile Barrett is only 47 so for most of her adult life and professional care, it's been established that the… https://t.co/2lmwrOiU18— Joe Sudbay (@Joe Sudbay) 1602599502
