U.S. Rep. James Lankford criticized for comments on sexual orientation
Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, has come under scrutiny recently due to a video interview about his thoughts on sexual orientation and passing legislation to protect discrimination in the workplace.
The blog Think Progress published a video of the interview Monday with the headline “GOP Rep. Lankford Explains Why It should Be Legal To Fire Someone For Being Gay: ‘It’s A Choice Issue.’”
Watch the interview below:
Lankford did an interview with News 9 Tuesday and explained his position, claiming that the blog twisted his words and most likely targeted him because he’s a Christian.
He said he does think sexual orientation is a choice, but he said behavior outside of the workplace shouldn’t matter if an employee is fulfilling his or her duties.
“My decision would be to have great work performance and be a good employee and people will keep you,” he said.
“I just don’t think you have special protections based on behavior.”
Photo by Hugh Scott: U.S. Representative James Lankford addresses the troops during the return ceremony for the National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at the Army Aviation hanger at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base Sunday, March 25th, 2012.
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I always vote republican but the social republicans that get elected in this state are scary. Lankford may be the worst one I have seen Oklahomans send to Washington. I am glad to see that he tried to backtrack his extreme position a little but even after the backtracking it is extreme and ignorant. There are many studies that show homosexuality is not a choice. For those who think it is a choice have probably never had a child or someone close to them that is homosexual.