Cynthia McKinney's father criticizes gay community [View All]

http://www.sovo.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=5815

U.S Rep. Cynthia McKinney’s father angrily chastised gay activists seeking her support for a bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” at a recent meeting, accusing gay Atlantans of contributing to her 2002 loss to political newcomer Denise Majette.

Held at McKinney’s district headquarters in Decatur, the March 18 meeting attracted 21 local activists who specifically sought McKinney’s support of HR 1059, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. The measure would repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military

Meeting attendees, many of whom were veterans, told their personal stories of discrimination while serving in the armed services to McKinney’s chief-of-staff, Warren Miller.

Letters supporting the bill were also given to Miller on behalf of Georgia Equality, American Veterans for Equal Rights, the African-American lesbian group Zami, the gay Stonewall Democrats and the Transgender American Veterans Association.

But after an hour of listening to gay, lesbian and transgender activists, McKinney’s father, Billy McKinney, jumped in. He said he was “taking over the meeting” and demanded to know why his daughter should support gay rights bills after gay voters “abandoned” her in 2002.

“Cynthia and I have been disappointed by people of all races, color, creeds. I blame you — you plural — for what happened,” Billy McKinney told the group