Gov. Tim Pawlenty laments 1993 discrimination vote
Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty in a Newsweek interview expressed regret over a 1993 vote he took as a House member prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The vote dealt with the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
In the interview, Pawlenty is quoted as saying the statute was “overbaked.”
“I said I regretted the vote later because it included things like cross-dressing, and a variety of other people involved in behaviors that weren’t based on sexual orientation, just a preference for the way they dressed and behaved,” Pawlenty is quoted saying.
“So it was overly broad. So if you are a third-grade teacher and you are a man and you show up on Monday as Mr. Johnson and you show up on Tuesday as Mrs. Johnson, that is a little confusing to the kids,” he said.
“So I don’t like that,” said Pawlenty.
