Rhelyn Harder
- A Wyoming Republican lawmaker is alleged in giving comments to a group about an anti-discrimination bill
- Senator Hutching’s response left the students shocked when he compared homosexuality to having sex with dogs
- The group asked if Senator Lynn Hutchings could give a clear, direct apology, and clarification for his unacceptable and inappropriate behavior
There were young people, aged 14 to 15 high school students, who visited the state capitol for the Gay-Straight Alliance Civics Day last February 1. Lynn Hutchings, a Wyoming Republican lawmaker allegedly gave comments to the group about an anti-discrimination bill.
The LGBT+ high school students and their allies were spending the day to learn about state governance and to interview a politician about an anti-discriminating bill that would increase their protection, based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In Senator Hutchings’ district, a group of ten young people from Cheyenne Central High School met the Republican official to ask her on the issue, and her response left the students shocked when she compared homosexuality to having sex with dogs.
“If my sexual orientation was to have sex with all of the men in there, or I had sex with all of the women in there, and then they brought their children and I had sex with all of them, and then brought their dogs in and I had sex with them, should I be protected for my sexual orientation?,” the senator asked.
After the incident, the group of students raised a formal complaint letter to the Republican Senate leader Drew Perkins on February 4, claiming the senator’s comments were inappropriate for a discussion with 14-years-olds.
The letter states: “Senator Hutchings’ behavior was unacceptable and inexcusable. 14- and 15-year-old high school students wishing to engage with the legislative process should not have been confronted with the comments made by Senator Hutchings. Most of the students identified as LGBTQ were emotionally affected as they were compared to acts of bestiality and pedophilia. Those students, some of which identify as LGBTQ, were deeply hurt and disturbed that they were compared to acts of bestiality and pedophilia.”
It also saddened the sentiments of the students after Senator Hutching hypothetically recounted the idea of sexually engaging the children then physically engaging with the students.
“The students’ sentiment was exacerbated especially after Senator Hutchings hypothetically recounted the idea of sexually engaging with children then physically engaged with the students.”
All their other interactions with the legislators, except for Senator Hutchings, that day was civil and respectful no matter where the legislator stood on bills and issues.
“The students spoke with several legislators that day. For the exception of the incident with Senator Hutchings, the students said all their interactions with legislators were civil and respectful no matter where the legislators stood on bills and issues.”
The group asked Senator Hutching to give a clear, direct apology, and clarification for her unacceptable and inappropriate behavior.
