Tea Party Leader Mocks Matthew Shepard and Gay Hate Crimes

This isn't surprising in the least Well, at least that's according to one of their leaders Tim Ravndal, President of Montana's Big Sky Tea Party Association. During a thread on Facebook (that has since been removed, of course), one of Tim's followers said in reference to gay marriage, "I think fruits are decorative. Hang up [sic] where they can be seen and appreciated. Call Wyoming for display instructions." To which Tim responded with, "Where can I get that Wyoming printed instruction manual?" (Of course, this is a reference to the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a legendary moment in the history of hate crimes against gays).

Guess what? This isn't surprising in the least. And I don't believe this represents a step backwards for gay rights or gay people. I think this represents the Tea Party giving a pulpit to the same hateful monsters who have always existed, have always hated us, and finally have a political movement that welcomes their hate.

Fred Phelps gets a lot of attention for being in charge of the Westboro Baptist Church, which also used to delight in mocking Matthew Shepard's legacy. But Tim Ravndal was the President of a Tea Party chapter (his dismissal set off a series of resignations in protest by other officers of the group -- again, big surprise). The Tea Party isn't merely Fred Phelps's wingnut organization, protesting funerals across the country. No, it's a political movement. And the fact that one of their president's views differ so little from Phelps himself is, in my book, significantly more frightening.