Wyoming Senator compares homosexuality to bestiality and paedophilia during Gay-Straight Alliance meeting
Wyoming Equality called for action against Senator Lynn Hutchings following the comments
By Steve Brown
A Wyoming Senator compared homosexuality to bestiality and paedophilia at a Gay-Straight Alliance meeting.
Senator Lynn Hutchings addressed a group of students – 10 of which identified as LGBT+ – as part of Gay-Straight Alliance Civics Day at the Capitol earlier this month.
When asked about House Bill 230 – also known as the Enhancing Quality Employment Law which would have offered workplace protections to LGBT+ people – Hutchings allegedly told the students: “If my sexual orientation was to have sex with all of the men in there and I had sex with all of the women in there and then they brought their children and I had sex with all of them and then brought their dogs in and I had sex with them, should I be protected for my sexual orientation?”
Following her comments, a complaint was made to Senate President Drew Perkins and claims the students tried to clarify the meaning of the bill but were continually interrupted by Hutchings.
The complaint reads: “As the conversation came to a close, Senator Hutchings then motioned to fist bump the students and embraced one of them.
“The students and teacher quickly removed themselves from the Jonah Business Center to process this interaction and provide a supportive space for one another.
“After some time, they composed themselves and re-entered the Business Center to continue talking to other legislators and Wyoming Equality board and staff were made aware of the incident.
“It is our understanding that while the state legislature’s anti-harassment policy mentions no protected classes, including sexual orientation and gender identity, Senator Hutchings behaviour was unacceptable and inexcusable.
“Fourteen- and fifteen-year old high school students wishing to engage with the legislative process should not have been confronted with the comments made by Senator Hutchings.
“Those students, some of which identify as LGBTQ, were deeply hurt and disturbed that they were compared to acts of bestiality and paedophilia.
“The students’ sentiment was exacerbated especially after Senator Hutchings hypothetically recounted the idea of sexually engaging with children then physically engaged with the students.”
Wyoming Equality – the group who submitted the complaint – called for Perkins to take action against Hutchings.