Assemblymember Duvall Calls for Privacy, but Never Valued Privacy for Same-Sex Couples
LOS ANGELES, -- L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Chief Executive Officer Lorri L. Jean issued the following statement, in regard to reports of California Assemblymember Michael Duvall's extra-marital affairs and his resignation statement:
"Even as he resigns in shame, former California Assemblymember Michael Duvall is wallowing in hypocrisy. While engaging in extra-marital affairs, he used 'family values' as a justification to vote against every bill that would have provided any measure of equal treatment or fairness to LGBT people. He used the same justification to support taking away the lawful right of same-sex couples to marry.
"Now he has the temerity to protest that his adultery (with lobbyists) 'is a private matter' and asks that 'everyone respect the privacy of all involved?!'
"People should respect his privacy when he never respected the privacy of loving same-sex couples? We should respect his privacy even though HE is reported to have bragged to colleagues about his sexual exploits? And by the way, where was their outrage? How many 'family values' conservatives knew what their brother was up to, voyeuristically listening to his stories but never speaking out against him or his behavior? How deep is the bench of 'family values' conservatives who are similarly engaged?
"It's Duvall's hypocrisy regarding his infidelity that makes him so especially despicable. He joins a long line of equally discredited, anti-gay 'family values' conservatives like evangelical U.S. Senators David Vitter and John Ensign, and South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. At least Duvall had a modicum of decency and resigned, while those of the Vitter/Ensign/Sanford ilk brazenly continue on, still embraced by their 'family values' colleagues.
"'Family values' has become a code word for more than abject anti-gay bigotry, it's now a sham to divert attention from the real behavior of those protesting to be such devoted family men. Duvall and his brethren should focus on their own ranks, rather than attacking LGBT people and trying to prevent loving same-sex couples from marrying."
About the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Since 1971 the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center has been building the health, advocating for the rights and enriching the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Our wide array of services and programs includes: free HIV/AIDS care and medications for those most in need; housing, food, clothing and support for homeless LGBT youth; low-cost counseling and addiction-recovery services; essential services for LGBT-parented families and seniors; legal services; health education and HIV prevention programs; transgender services; cultural arts and much more. Visit us on the Web at: www.lagaycenter.org.
