Rep. Baldasaro Applauds Booing of Gay Soldier

by: William Tucker

Tue Oct 04, 2011 at 07:03:41 AM EDT

During the last Republican presidential debate, the audience booed a gay soldier serving in Iraq who asked a question about gays serving in the military. None of the candidates on stage defended him at the time, but after a firestorm of criticism, several candidates subsequently expressed their regret at not speaking up in his defense.

Not so for New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro (R-Londonderry) who says he was "disgusted" by the soldier and thought the audience reaction was "great."

Discussing the audience’s boos, Baldasaro said the real issue was the fact that Hill divulged his sexual orientation in the first place. “I was so disgusted over that gay marine* coming out,” Baldasaro said, because now Hill’s fellow soldiers will “start getting away from him” and “start ignoring him.” Baldasaro even speculated that because Hill came out of the closet, other soldiers might not protect him when “the shit hits the fan” in battle.

KEYES: Did you have an issue with the audience reaction?

BALDASARO: Oh no, I thought the audience, when they booed the marine, I thought it was great.

h/t: ThinkProgress