Sex columnist gets brought up in Illinois congressional race because why not

Sean Casten, left, Democratic candidate for U.S. Representative in the Illinois 6th Congressional District, and the incumbent, Republican Peter Roskam, right, prepare for a election forum in Chicago on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

CHICAGO — Dan Savage, sex columnist for The Stranger in Seattle and found of the It Gets Better Project, actually became a subject of debate in a local congressional race.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Savage came up during a televised forum between U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Weaton) and Sean Casten, who is challenging Roskam for the 6th District in suburban Chicago.

From the Tribune:

In Monday night’s WTTW forum, Roskam referenced a recent Wall Street Journal story in which Casten cites sex columnist Dan Savage when asked to name a leader who inspires him.

“He bound himself to some people who were advocating political blackmail and political slander,” Roskam said of Casten during Monday’s debate. “And I think he should distance himself from these people.”

“The person I embraced … is Dan Savage, who has been a voice for the LGBT community and particularly for the It Gets Better Project of teens who were considering suicide,” Casten said. “Mr. Roskam has been a horrible advocate for that community, and maybe he doesn’t like that I support them, but I do.”

Talking to reporters after the forum, Roskam again attacked Casten over Savage.

“Dan Savage has said and has advocated, saying that he wishes that all Republicans ‘were all f-ing dead,” Roskam said. Savage made the comment during HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher” in 2011 and later apologized. “Dan Savage has advocated that a political candidate ‘should be dragged behind a pickup truck until there’s nothing left but (the) rope.’ ”

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