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.’ ”