Leaders of the Pennsylvania House Black and LGBTQ Equality caucuses called on Republican Rep. Aaron Bernstine to resign after a report he “went on a homophobic tirade” at a Harrisburg bar Tuesday night.
The western Pennsylvania lawmaker allegedly remarked on Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta’s sexual orientation using a slur, and falsely suggested that Kenyatta’s recent weight loss was because he has AIDS, PennLive.com reported. Kenyatta, who is openly gay and has intentionally lost a significant amount of weight over several years, was not at the bar and declined to comment.
On Thursday, a Philadelphia woman told the Capital-Star she received what she considers an “incredibly transphobic” reply to an email seeking Bernstine’s support for a piece of legislation seeking paid family leave for Pennsylvania workers.
“I don’t read emails from anybody who puts their pronouns in their email signature,” the 2023 email from Bernstine to Rachele Fortier said.
Fortier, who has worked on campaigns and issue advocacy in Harrisburg for more than a decade, said she was reminded of the email when she read about Bernstine’s comments about Kenyatta.
“It’s very widely known that making fun of pronouns or having a problem with being asked your pronouns is problematic,” Fortier said, adding that she is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Messages left at Bernstine’s offices in Ellwood City, Butler and at the state Capitol were not returned.
The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and the LGBTQ Equality Caucus issued a joint statement Thursday. The groups are chaired by Rep. Napoleon Nelson (D-Montgomery) and Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny), respectively.
“We are deeply disturbed by reports of hateful, degrading, and untrue attacks directed at our friend and caucus member Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. Such conduct is unacceptable and has no place in our legislature. Every member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their identity or background,” the statement said.
The statement said Bernstine must be held accountable for his words and actions, which the caucus leaders said make him unfit to serve in the state legislature.
“We are calling on all House members, but especially Republican leaders, to denounce his behavior, to join us in demanding his resignation, and for Republican leaders to identify the steps they will take to guard against this kind of pathetic behavior within their caucus,” the statement continued.
A spokesperson for House Minority Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford) said the allegation against Bernstine is troubling and does not comport with the values and professionalism constituents expect from their state lawmakers, regardless of party or position.
“When they fall short of that standard, it is upon them to take personal and individual responsibility for their actions quickly and appropriately,” spokesman Jason Gottesman said.
Bernstine has served in the House since 2016 and is seeking reelection to the 8th Legislative District, which covers parts of Butler and Lawrence counties.
According to PennLive.com, Bernstine made the remarks at McGrath’s Pub in downtown Harrisburg, blocks from the Capitol, where a Democratic fundraiser was being held following a voting session Tuesday in the legislature.
The article attributes an account of Bernstine’s remarks to Michael Ford, the secretary/treasurer of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council. Ford and Bernstine argued as the lawmaker insulted Kenyatta and Robert Bair, the president of the Building and Construction Trades Council, who was sitting nearby, Ford told PennLive. Bair did not respond to a message seeking comment.
Ford told the outlet he and Bernstine exchanged words, but there was no physical altercation.
PennLive noted Bernstine has faced criticism in the past for social media posts in which he threatened to run over protesters with his car and a video in which he gave his then 5-year-old son a cigar and encouraged him to make derogatory comments about women.
Kenyatta has been the subject of a verbal attack by a colleague in the past.
During a debate on a bill that would ban devices that allow semi-automatic handguns to fire rapidly, Kenyatta delivered fiery rhetoric critical of gun rights advocates and their view of the Second Amendment as a bulwark against tyranny.
“Save me your self righteous speeches about standing up [to] tyranny when you do nothing to stand up [to] tyranny, consistently,” Kenyatta said.
A shouting match broke out between several lawmakers on opposite sides of the House.
The incident was not included in a livestream of the House floor and the only indication was Speaker Joanna McClinton calling for the House sergeant at arms to clear the aisle and for lawmakers to take their seats. She later delivered a stern admonition, saying she was disappointed by what occurred earlier.
“I cannot hear what insults and slurs are said across the aisle to each other, but let me remind each of you, if you make threats, that could be a crime. That’s free legal advice,” McClinton said, adding that the sergeant at arms and Capitol police would conduct investigations.
