Backlash Grows For PA Lawmaker Over 'I Don't Like Men' Comment

Gov. Tom Wolf is calling on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to "reexamine" one of State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe's roles after video surfaced of Metcalfe lashing out in what's been called a homophobic rant directed at State Rep. Matt Bradford. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party is calling for his resignation following the remarks.

The entire exchange was caught on video and has garnered attention from national news organizations, Wolf, Pennsylvania Democrats, and the LGBTQ community, among others.

"Rep. Metcalfe’s comments yesterday were offensive & discriminatory. Unfortunately, this is part of a disturbing pattern of behavior," Wolf said via Twitter on Wednesday, Dec. 6. "I urge House leadership to re-examine whether it is appropriate for him to continue controlling a committee that oversees civil rights legislation."

The Pennsylvania Democractic Party had strong words about Metcalfe's comments.

"Daryl Metcalfe is too busy parading around his heterosexuality to actually do the work he was elected to do, Brandon Cwalina, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, said. "It’s clear that Metcalfe is more focused on forcing his heterosexual agenda on Pennsylvanians than working to move the commonwealth forward. It’s time for him to resign."

The remarks also drew ire from those who called it an attack on the LGBTQ community.

State Rep. Brian Sims, who is openly gay, outright called Metcalfe a homophobe on Facebook Tuesday.

"PA State Representative Daryl Metcalfe...the most noted homophobe in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, just dramatically interrupted a voting meeting of the Committee to declare his heterosexuality...during debate on a land use bill," Sims wrote on Facebook.

The incident also drew a response from activist groups like Equality Pennsylvania, a nonprofit advocating for the LGBTQ community.

"He is unfit to hold such a position after today's anti-gay tirade," the organization said, urging citizens to call for his dismissal.

Bradford, A Democrat whose district covers Montgomery County, and Metcalfe, A Republican whose district covers Butler County, were in a committee discussing a land use bill on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Bradford, who was seated next to Metcalfe, touched Metcalfe's arm for less than a second while the committee discussed the bill.

After the brief touch, Metcalfe interrupted Bradford and what he said left many in the room speechless and many laughing.

"Look, I'm a heterosexual," Metcalfe, who is Chairman of the House State Government Committee, interrupted. "I have a wife, I love my wife. I don't like men, as you might. But stop touching me all the time."

Bradford, who is married to a woman, couldn't keep from laughing (the pertinent section of the meeting was captured on video and can be viewed below).

90.5 WESA In Pittsburgh reports Metcalfe said the touch is tantamount to battery and stood by his choice of words in the committee meeting.

"It’s routine in our society now, that homosexuals can flaunt their sexuality in our faces," he said. "But me as a heterosexual, I say I’m a heterosexual, and somehow that’s going to be offensive to people?"

In an interview with Philly.com Tuesday, Metcalfe alleged that Bradford has continually "reached out and touched him" over the past few months. In response Bradford says that he touched Metcalfe's arm to keep the latter from interrupting him,which he says Metcalfe does often when he hears views he disagrees
with.

Metcalfe has long fought against gay marriage and various related causes. When Sims himself tried to make a speech on the House floor after the Defense Against Marriage Act was struck down by U.S. Congress in 2013, Metcalfe was among those who blocked him.

Watch the exchange below:

Image via YouTube screenshot