State Senate candidate’s anti-gay Facebook posts revealed
State Senate District 6 candidate Jaha Howard publicly apologized Oct. 12 for several anti-gay and misogynistic statements he posted on Facebook from 2011-2014, which were uncovered by Georgia Voice earlier that day. In more than 10 posts, Howard said that he believes that “women should only teach other women” and wonders if there is “a homosexual agenda in public education” and if the Girl Scouts “are being used to push a [sic] pro-abortion and pro-homosexuality positions.”
In his apology, Howard wrote, “Today I was embarrassed and disappointed to read some of my own insensitive social media posts from years ago. Unintentionally, I greatly offended many of the same people I’m working hard to represent and defend in the state Senate. I’m deeply sorry.” He hinted at a change in views, saying, “Over the years, I’m grateful to have gained valuable perspective from hundreds of conversations with some amazing people like you. Thank you for sharing your life experiences with me. Thank you for being real and vulnerable as I’ve moved forward on my own journey of engaging politics as a Christian. Today, I am a better man because of you. Conversations with people I know and love have helped me be very clear in my political positions. I believe in preserving and strengthening equal rights for all people, especially our LGBTQ friends. I also firmly believe in protecting a woman’s autonomy over her own body.”
However, in follow-up comments on Facebook, he appeared to double down on his original statements. Howard has refused calls for him to drop out of the race.
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