Frank Calls Justice Scalia a 'Homophobe'

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 23, 2009 7:09 PM CDT

Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank called Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia a "homophobe" in a recent interview with the gay news Web site 365gay.com. The Democratic lawmaker, who is gay, was discussing gay marriage and his expectation that the high court would some day be called upon to decide whether the Constitution allows the federal government to deny recognition to same-sex marriages.

"I wouldn't want it to go to the United States Supreme Court now because that homophobe Antonin Scalia has too many votes on this current court," said Frank. Frank's office did not respond to a request Monday to expand on his remark. Scalia also had no comment. Scalia dissented from the court's ruling in 2003 that struck down state laws banning consensual sodomy. (More gay marriage stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X