A Newport Beach city council member is catching flak for an email he sent to constituents criticizing same-sex marriage—and, specifically, the LGBT’s movement’s use of rainbow imagery.
"I do find it interesting that the homosexual movement adopted the rainbow as their symbol, as it was God's symbol that he wouldn't destroy the world by flood again," Councilman Scott Peotter wrote in the email blast, adding “maybe they are wishful thinking."
The newsletter was composed following the June 26 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage, and the White House’s subsequent display of the rainbow colors in a show of support. Kevin O’Grady, executive director of the LGBT Center of Orange County, called the comments “disturbing” and “homophobic.”
Peotter has since doubled-down on his remarks, saying he believes the homosexual movement is using a biblical symbol and “corrupting it for their use.”
"The people that are out there criticizing me are leading the cry for no name-calling and tolerance, but they're intolerant of any view but their own," Peotter added.
Mayor Ed Selich said the comments were unbecoming of a city councilman and that Peotter should have chosen a private platform where his beliefs “wouldn't be confused with the city’s.” The newsletter contained the city's seal, but the councilman has since agreed to refrain from using it in private email blasts.
Read more about the controversy here.
Image Credit: Flickr User 29233640@N07, https://flic.kr/p/uYHRkF via (CC BY 2.0)