The Marietta Daily Journal interviewed outspoken (and some would say bat-shit crazy) State Rep. Bobby Franklin (R-Marietta), who makes no secret of his distaste for his gay constituents.
In the current session, Franklin has brought forth legislation that would do away with drivers’ licenses, HB 7, and a bill requiring the state make financial transactions in gold or silver coinage, HB 3 … yeah, seriously.
Even in the age of political correctness, Franklin bucks the trend by periodically offering (or supporting) anti-gay legislation in the General Assembly. Luckily, his attempts to redefine Georgia's obscenity laws to outlaw gay pornography have been miserable failures under the Gold Dome.
Despite concerns that new Gov. Nathan Deal might support legislation that would negatively affect LGBT Georgians, no specifically gay bills — positive or negative — have been filed since the legislature convened Jan. 10.
“There has been a lot of controversy in the Senate as usual, and the immigration stuff has started off with a bang,” said state Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), who is the senior openly gay state legislator. “I don’t know how many bills they’re up to now, 15 maybe. Then of course the budget hearings, and so the shortfalls are coming to light, and the tax bills.”
Deal has released his budget, which does not include any cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which helps low income HIV-positive individuals and those with no insurance afford their medications.
Chris Staples says he is still trying to wrap his head around the idea that someone would try to kill him.
The gay Carrollton man had his home vandalized and then burned down; he was asleep at home when the fire began and barely escaped.
“I feel like I’m sort of in a cave, still in shock,” Staples told the GA Voice. “I haven’t shed a tear, haven’t gotten mad.”
Staples, 43, was inside his small home in Carroll County on Sunday, Jan. 23, when he said a rock with an anti-gay note attached was thrown through his window. Hours later, Staples said he woke up to find his home engulfed in flames. Carroll County is some 50 miles west of Atlanta.