IS NAUGLE ANTI-GAY?
Sentinel vs. The Herald & New Times

Tim Smith is like a big Golden Retriever ... he likes everybody. So it is only natural that he works well with Fort Lauderdale's large and growing gay population, much of which is in his Commission District.

Jim Naugle, on the other hand, has insulted and alienated his gay constituents. He calls them sinning criminals, he supports discrimination against them in the Boy Scouts, he says they should be prosecuted for their private sexual conduct, and he ducks the question about whether they should be allowed to teach (the way heterosexual teachers do). The Sentinel tried to paint Naugle as gay friendly by finding two whole gay people who support him. Reports in other papers paint an entirely different picture. See for yourself below.

[Also see, from the Sun-Sentinel: "Mayor Disparaging Gay Constituency" which discusses Naugle's views and his appearance on conservative Christian James Dobson's show with the Rev. D. James Kennedy.]

Sentinel columnist Nevins finds two gays who back Naugle

  		  Herald columnist Reinhart paints a very different picture

Naugle Believes Gays are Sinning Criminals,
Favors Prosecution for Private Sexual Conduct

From "New Times" newspaper

You were the lone vote on the Fort Lauderdale commission in support of the Boy Scout policy that excludes gays. Why?
Scouting has been a successful program. It's been around for almost 100 years, and I think it's a shame that it's under attack right now.
And you agree with the policy?
Yeah. Just like with the military. I think it's a commonsense policy that they have, and I don't think it should be tinkered with. I think the welfare of the kids is best determined by their parents. The Scouts have this policy, and I don't want to second-guess them. I don't think the Boy Scouts have said anything I disagree with.
Do you ever fear that gays and lesbians might organize to unseat you?
If I lose votes because of it, so be it. I have supporters in the city, both gay and straight. But my belief that homosexuality is a sin -- if people don't agree, I live with that. I don't have any hatred for people who are gay.
Do you believe that sodomy laws should be enforced?
Yes.
So homosexuality is a criminal act?
Yes.
What causes you to believe this?
My religious beliefs say it's a sin. But I'm tolerant of people. None of us are without sin. We've all done things from time to time that we would not be proud of.
Isn't your stance on gays intolerant?
Intolerance would be if you were homophobic and didn't want to have anything to do with any gay people and condemned them. Throughout my career, I haven't been that way. I am certain I have some supporters out there in the gay community.
Should gays be allowed to teach in public schools?
Public schools have a policy that says that's not a problem. I wouldn't want private or religious schools to be forced to have a different policy. Who knows what's next? There's always home schooling.
Have you fallen behind mainstream society in terms of gay issues?
I don't think I'm out of mainstream America. I think my beliefs are similar to most citizens today. Maybe it's a silent majority, but people don't feel that it's right.

To read the entire story, click here.

 
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