The Human Rights Campaign, a major gay rights organization, is standing by its endorsement of Illinois Republican Sen. Mark Kirk after he questioned whether his challenger’s ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War.
“Mark Kirk’s comments were wrong and inappropriate,” said Human Rights Campaign communications director Brandon Lorenz in a statement released Friday. “HRC endorsed Sen. Kirk on the strength of his record on LGBTQ equality, and while that remains unchanged, we believe he should rescind his comments immediately.”
Full response here: pic.twitter.com/XP6f5KlEJW
— Brandon Lorenz (@bllorenz) October 28, 2016
Shortly afterwards, the incumbent senator who is trailing behind in the polls offered his “sincere apologies” for his statements.
Sincere apologies to an American hero, Tammy Duckworth, and gratitude for her family’s service. #ilsen
— Mark Kirk (@MarkKirk) October 28, 2016
During a Thursday debate, Kirk questioned how Democratic opponent Tammy Duckworth could claim her ancestors served in the American Revolution. “I forgot that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington,” said Kirk, in a line widely criticized as not only racially charged but factually untrue.
Duckworth’s mother is from Thailand, but her father’s roots in the country go to the revolutionary era and he served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Duckworth herself is a double amputee who was injured in combat in Iraq.
I need @HRC to explain how a racist can promote anyone’s equality. Do they recognize that LGBTQ people aren’t just white? https://t.co/SDvAv1H9oM
— ??️? ♿️✡️ Mx. Amadi (@amaditalks) October 28, 2016
Hey @HRC, people of color and immigrants are LGBTQ. In fact, there are more LGBTQ POC than LGBT white people. https://t.co/WwHsvAEbwp
— Audrey White (@audreywhiteTX) October 28, 2016
Some progressives criticized the Human Rights Campaign for maintaining its endorsement despite Kirk’s comments.
A shameful and inexcusable position from @HRC. Kirk’s blunt racism merits a withdrawal of your already embarrassing endorsement. Period. https://t.co/eDayqiF22B
— @red3blog (@red3blog) October 28, 2016
Also I know a lot of A+ people who work at @HRC but it is i n e x c u s a b l e that they’re still endorsing this guy. https://t.co/NtUpSYbL48
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) October 28, 2016
Others argued that the Human Rights Campaign should speak out against Kirk’s statement just as strongly as they would derogatory comments about LGBT Americans, particularly as many are ethnic minorities.
Seriously, if you’ve ever wondered why some people don’t trust @HRC, they are putting on quite a demonstration right now.
— @red3blog (@red3blog) October 28, 2016
@HRC will never get another dime from me. Their support of racist and bigot Sen. Mark Kirk is enough to lose my support forever.
— Sameritech (@sameritech) October 28, 2016
