Mark Robinson, a lifelong North Carolina resident and current Lieutenant Governor, prides himself on his fervent nationalism, calling himself a “true patriot, not a politician.” Robinson’s beliefs, though, prove otherwise: patriots align themselves with their country and its ideals, while, as a politician, the Lieutenant Governor refuses to accept the identities of our nation’s 18.5 million members of the LGBTQ community, as well as the country’s 124.5 million non-Christians.
A video of Robinson speaking at a Baptist church in June of 2021 was leaked by Right Wing Watch, a platform dedicated to shedding light on the actions of right-wing politicians. The video captures Robinson saying, “There’s no reason anybody anywhere in America should be telling any child about transgenderism, homosexuality, any of that filth. And yes, I call it filth.” When given an opportunity to apologize for his crude statements, Robinson defended his claims, saying he “will not back down.”
Why, if Robinson heartlessly dismisses our state’s LGBTQ citizens as “filth,” should he be considered fit to govern them?
Following his statement, various organizations and public figures called for Robinson’s resignation, including the Human Rights Campaign, the White House deputy press secretary and Democratic politicians, including Jeff Jackson, a North Carolina senator. Governor Roy Cooper commented, “If he did [step down], it would be appropriate, but he’s made it clear that he’s not. So, let me make something clear. He does not speak for North Carolina.”
Should North Carolinians be surprised by Robinson’s comments?
This is not the first expression of the Lieutenant Governor’s homophobic ideals. Following the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting, where 49 people were killed at a gay bar in Florida, Robinson tweeted “homosexuality is STILL an abominable sin and I WILL NOT join in ‘celebrating gay pride’ nor will I fly their sacrilegious flag.”
Robinson, elected in 2020, ran on a promise to bring Christian values into American schools, which is ironic considering he believes that public schools are indoctrinating youth with “perverted agendas” and “shoving homosexuality garbage down their throats.”
Robinson’s fervent Christian ideals call attention to his unwillingness to acknowledge our country’s attempted separation of church and state. In fact, the Lieutenant Governor spoke at the North Carolina Faith & Freedom’s convention, saying, “If you don’t like [America being Christian nation], I’ll buy your plane, train or automobile ticket right up out of here.”
While Robinson believes in Christian ideals being forced upon American citizens, the US Constitution explicitly states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Robinson may not be a fan of civil liberty protection in regards to religion; however, he consistently cherry-picks the First Amendment’s declaration of free speech when criticized for his prejudicial claims.
As Robinson, a public official, was defending his discriminatory beliefs on Twitter, Jon Gruden, a former head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, resigned due to a leak of misogynistic and homophobic e-mails, along with racist comments describing the NFL Players Association leader, Demaurice Smith. The parallel stories of Robinson and Gruden beg an unforeseen question: who should be held to a higher standard—an elected public servant or the coach of a mid-ranking NFL team?
Mark Robinson, in his position as Lieutenant Governor, has the power to preside over North Carolinians and can assume Roy Cooper’s position if Cooper is unable to perform his duties. The idea of Robinson enforcing his discriminatory beliefs onto 10.5 million citizens is terrifying. If Robinson refuses to see members of the LGBTQ community and non-Christian individuals as equals, does he reserve the right to govern them?
