Fringe theory backers attack bill

Top GOP senator: Reading of bipartisan anti-discrimination measure ‘cause for concern’

Once confined to QAnon and now weaponized by conservatives across the country, a fringe conspiracy theory purporting Democratic support for pedophilia has become embedded in the debate over an update to Connecticut’s anti-discrimination law.

Conservative and Christian activists flocked to social media last week to attack HB 6638, claiming that the bill’s new definition of sexual orientation is a veiled attempt by Connecticut Democrats to ban discrimination against “minor attracted persons” — a term that falsely equates pedophilia to an identity under the LGBTQ umbrella.

The crusade, which originated with the Family Institute of Connecticut and was spread by CatholicVote.org, reached the ears of Senate leadership as the chamber prepares for a final vote on the legislation.

In an original statement to the Courant, Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly said that he agreed with claims that HB 6638’s definition of sexual orientation is ambiguous and could be interpreted as a loophole for pedophiles.

Kelly told the Courant Thursday he is working with Senate Democrats to craft new language that will adopt the modern sexual orientation terminology proposed in HB 6638 and simultaneously ensure that pedophilia could not become protected conduct in discrimination and human rights complaints. That same day, the Family Institute of Connecticut said they were “working closely with legislators to make the agreed upon measures.”

“We may sit here under the Capitol Dome and all think in one direction because we’re legislators. … When you get commentary that reads the same language and can come to a different conclusion, then that’s cause for concern and in my mind requires us to go back and wordsmith the language to remove that ambiguity,” Kelly said. “I’m not trying to politicize the issue and (I’m) working with the majority to make sure we get this right.

It’s really about the protection of children, plain and simple.”

Kelly’s interpretation of the bill was at odds with earlier comments from Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the House, who passed HB 6638 in a 132-17 vote following a debate that made no mention of pedophilia.

The bill itself makes only two changes to the anti-discrimination statutes.

First, HB 6638 adds age to a long list of protected classes including religion, national origin, color, race, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status and victims of domestic violence.

Second, it updates how the state defines sexual orientation, swapping the current definition, which identifies sexual orientation as a “preference for heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality,” for a new definition that recognizes sexual orientation as “a person’s identity in relation to the gender or genders to which they are romantically, emotionally or sexually attracted.”

“The reality is that law does not make illegal activity legal or acceptable,” House Minority Leader Rep. Vincent Candelora said. “An employer is not required to hire a known pedophiliac or maintain employment for somebody, especially if it’s a high-risk situation. … It’s important for people to understand that in this arena, (in) Connecticut, we don’t protect criminal behavior. Those criminal behaviors are still criminal.”