Former state lawmaker under fire for anti-gay comments
A former state House Representative in Albany is facing criticism for anti-gay comments he made about a fellow Democrat involved in local party politics.
It began the week of Dec. 12 when 20-year-old Andrew Niquette, a delegate to this year’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, announced via email his intention to run for a committee seat with the Dougherty County Democratic Party. Democratic Party of Georgia Executive Director Rebecca DeHart responded back expressing excitement over the openly gay Niquette’s announcement.
The Albany Herald reports that former state Rep. John White got word of Niquette’s announcement and sent an email to DeHart and two others with photos showing Niquette kissing his partner and including the message, “Rebecca, is this what you are thrilled about? I can’t say ‘I am thrilled about all you are doing.’ Andrew Niquette can do his whatever in Florida. I have zero tolerance for this lifestyle.”
Niquette reportedly responded back to White, who in 1974 became the first black person from Albany elected to the Georgia House, writing, “Such a shame that a reputable former Democratic Representative who was an advocate for Civil Rights has the audacity to judge me for whom I choose to love. I do hope that you get together with the 21st Century, Rep. White, and you can be sure that it will be known of your homophobia.”
DeHart also responded criticizing White for his comments. Niquette failed in his bid to nab a seat on the committee.
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