Yesterday, Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, announced she’s stepping down. She’s been with the department since Cooper’s first term began and she stayed through a pandemic. She also received compliments from both sides of the aisle. She did a great job under difficult circumstances.
Cooper immediately announced her replacement, Deputy Secretary Kody Kinsley. Kinsley has been around government operations for a long time, serving in both the Obama and Trump administrations. He’s been with DHHS since 2018 and has the confidence of Cohen to run the department. He would also be the first openly gay cabinet secretary in North Carolina history. He’s got big shoes to follow and I wish him the best, for his sake and ours.
Cooper appointing a gay man to lead what is arguably the most important department in the state and inarguably the largest agency in state government is a stark contrast to Mark Robinson calling gay people “filth.” Cooper’s appointment sends a loud message that the Democratic Party, or at least his administration, rejects intolerance. Republicans, on the other hand, have made it clear that bigotry and intolerance are part of who they are.
Earlier this week, state Senator Julie Mayfield, a Democrat from Asheville, called out intolerance on the floor of the Senate, pointing out that, during Jim Crow, politicians’ rhetoric helped create the atmosphere that encouraged and tolerated lynching. Robinson took offense and, after session, loudly berated Mayfield in the halls of the legislature. No prominent Republicans have rebuked Robinson for his comments or behavior, giving the impression that discrimination and prejudice against the LGBT community are acceptable in the GOP.
With acceptance of people like Robinson as leaders of their party, Republicans have clearly lost any moral high ground. However, they may not have lost many voters. On the contrary, they may pick up some.
Robinson has already indicated that he’s running for governor in 2024. I would hope that his bigotry would be disqualifying, but I’m scared that it’s not. It will certainly not hurt him in the GOP primary. On the contrary, it will almost certainly help him, because that’s who Republicans are. At the worst they believe prejudice is an asset, and at best they believe it’s distasteful but acceptable. He’s like Trump. His most reprehensible behavior animates and motivates the base while formerly responsible Republicans pretend that liberals and media are blowing it out of proportion.
Cooper has left no question where Democrats stand. And Robinson has left no question about who he is. In 2024, if Robinson is the GOP nominee, and at this point he’s the frontrunner, voters will have a clear choice about the character they want in their chief executive. I just hope those in the middle will stand against bigotry.
Thomas Mills is the founder and publisher of PoliticsNC.com. Before beginning PoliticsNC, Thomas spent twenty years as a political and public affairs consultant. Learn more >
Since 1981, studies have disclosed being gay is not a choice made by an individual. Personally, I don’t have that issue, but I have worked with those who have. I have seen many of these folks who are born with this issue preform courageously, some have earned citations for valor. But some folks prefer to attack and berate them for a condition they know little about. For example, many believe gay folks focus their attention on straight folks and are a threat to children. Studies published in Scientific American, JAMA, LANCET, and other creditable scientific journals do not sustain this view, nor do recognized journals on criminology. (Citations omitted) I prefer to judge folks on their character, rather their personal life.
Indeed accuracy matters. Robinson’s exact words: “America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth … And yes, I called it filth, and if you don’t like that I called it filth, come see me and I’ll explain it to you.” He equates homosexuality with filth. It’s preposterous how people attempt to defend the indefensible.
You are absolutely right. Its amazing people defend pornography in our schools. “. It’s preposterous how people attempt to defend the indefensible.”
Accuracy is important.
Robinson did not call gay people filth. He took umbrage at books in schools with pictures sexual acts. Like a man giving another man a blowjob. Or a girl doing the same to another girl, and books that graphically stated sex acts in excruciating detail. . We teach sex ed in our schools. Not sexual acts. This was essentially Hustler or worse magazine in public schools.
He called that filth, and those who are pushing it filth. Are gay people pushing these books?
Inquiring minds want to know!
I’m sure Robinson does not approve of a gay lifestyle. But to state he calls gay people filth is inaccurate. Actually its an outright lie. You may not like him but give him his due and be intellectually honest. And if the Senator called him out on the floor well then you get you get and shouldn’t whine about it. She wanted to dance, and he was willing. Be a big girl and take your medicine.
I know Mr. Mills wants to get back into the game and maybe become someone in the Democratic party again. But this sort of inaccuracy may be red meat for the stupid, but those who require more discernment and know the facts, will simply say no thanks to a person who lacks the intellectual power, discretion, and integrity to know and do better.
Thus goes his opportunity.
As an side who cares if the guy is Gay? Why point it out? Does it have any bearing on if he can do the job? No. So it does not matter. Its a dog bites man story.
F- for stupidity and for trite banal statements such as.(Derp…. Republican are racist, homophobes, its part of who they are…Derp) Sheesh, and I don’t even like Robinson.
Do better.
Just sent a supportive email to Julie Mayfield, who happens to be my state senator. I hope she told Robinson that he is not her boss and she has no need to run her speeches by him.
Robinson is a Trumpy dirtbag.