Transgender Man Taunts Christian La. Councilman for Opposing Sexual Orientation Ordinance; Quotes From the Bible, Brings Him Stone to Cast
A Shreveport, La., city council member's effort to repeal a newly-passed fairness ordinance was stalled when a transgender man attended a council meeting to give his take on the Christian politician's opposing remarks about homosexuality.
Councilman Rob Webb proposed a repeal of the ordinance, which prohibits discrimination from employment, housing and public accommodations based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. On Tuesday, council members were set to vote on Webb's repeal, however, they decided not to.
"Leviticus 20:13 states, 'If a man lie also with mankind as he lieth with a woman, they shall surely put him to death.' I brought the first stone Mr. Webb, in case your Bible talk isn't just a smoke screen for personal prejudices," said Pamela Raintree, who was born a man but identifies as a woman, according to Shreveport's FOX 33.
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Raintree picked up a large rock that he brought into the meeting and offered it to Webb, who seemed unamused by his offer. Soon after, Webb withdrew his proposal to repeal the law. However, after Tuesday's meeting, Webb said he decided to drop the repeal because he was not ready or prepared to bring the argument back to the table and said he would possibly repeal at a later date.
Raintree also spoke about how he had been discriminated against, and how proud he was of the city when the council voted to end discrimination. Dozens more spoke at the meeting on why they considered the fairness ordinance to be important for Shreveport.
Back in December, the fairness ordinance passed with a 6-1 vote, prompting Webb to cast the only dissenting vote. At the time, he sparked controversy following his comments about the Bible viewing homosexuality as a sin.
"I've worked with homosexuals before," said Webb, according to KTBS.com. "I don't socialize with them. I don't think, you know, that we should."
>Shreveport is now the second city in Louisiana, after New Orleans, to pass a non-discrimination ordinance.
