Chambliss’ statement did not include the name of the individual, who identified himself as “Jimmy” in the internet posting.
The move comes just one day after Atlanta’s Queer Justice League met with Camila Knowles, State Director and General Counsel for Chambliss over the comment. The QJL requested that Chambliss make a public apology and that his staff undergo sensitivity training.
Chambliss also thanked the Senate Sergeant at Arms for its investigation in the statement.
The comment, “All faggots must die” by a commenter who identified only as “Jimmy” was posted in the aftermath of the Senate’s vote on the 2011 Defense Authorization bill that included repeal language for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Chambliss voted against cloture, which failed to move forward, effectively killing a congressional repeal of the military’s anti-gay policy until after the November midterm elections.
UPDATE:
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the staffer may have been re-assigned instead of being fired. A call to the Senator’s office yielded no clarification as a spokesperson declined to clarify the statement, particularly of the usage of the word “removed.”