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Frank Calls Justice Scalia a 'Homophobe'

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 23, 2009 7:09 PM CDT

(AP) – Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank called Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia a "homophobe" in a recent interview with the gay news Web site 365gay.com. The Democratic lawmaker, who is gay, was discussing gay marriage and his expectation that the high court would some day be called upon to decide whether the Constitution allows the federal government to deny recognition to same-sex marriages.

"I wouldn't want it to go to the United States Supreme Court now because that homophobe Antonin Scalia has too many votes on this current court," said Frank. Frank's office did not respond to a request Monday to expand on his remark. Scalia also had no comment. Scalia dissented from the court's ruling in 2003 that struck down state laws banning consensual sodomy.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., presides over the committee's hearing on Capitol Hill in Washignton, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. meets reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 17, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

In this April 7, 2008, file photo, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia speaks in Bristol, R.I. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia, File)

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia speaks in Bristol, R.I., Monday afternoon, April 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

In this Oct. 21, 2008 file photo, House Financial Services Chairman Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. delivers his opening remarks on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

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Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank calls Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia a homophobe in an interview on 365gay.com (YouTube)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

northeast

Mar 24, 2009 12:05 PM CDT

Present-day? Nobody takes the KKK seriously (is it even around?), but people do see Sharpton and Farrakhan as representatives of black people. It's probably a bad idea to declare yourself "black hitler" or fabricate a bunch of scandals where there are none if people hold you as a standard bearer.

Rob

Mar 24, 2009 11:01 AM CDT

Nuts is an idiot, just. All he ever does is try to be the most flaming he can. He is best to ignore.

Mad

Mar 24, 2009 7:19 AM CDT

Name calling? Describing Scalia as anti-gay is perfectly accurate. What word would you suggest? Frank didn't call Scaila a fag hater or some such nonsense. Scaila actions define his character: the man is a homophobe

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gay rights • Antonin Scalia • gay marriage • Barney Frank • US Supreme Court

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