A senior Republican politician from North Carolina faces a wave of outrage and backlash, including calls for resignation, from elected officials and various human rights groups following his recent discriminatory comments comparing homosexuals and transgendered people to “dirt”.

Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, the state’s top Republican in a leadership position, made the remarks at Asbury Baptist Church in Seagrove, North Carolina, in June. Right Wing Watch, a project by the People For the American Way advocacy group, published the video on social media last week.

In the video, Robinson can be heard saying, “There’s no reason anyone anywhere in America should talk to a kid about transgender, homosexuality, all that filth… And yes, I called it dirt, and if you don’t like it I call it dirt, come see me and I’ll explain it to you.

Andrew Bates, a deputy North Carolina White House press secretary, condemned Robinson’s comments, saying, “These words are disgusting and offensive. The role of a leader is to bring people together and defend the dignity and rights of everyone; not to spread hatred and undermine their own function.

In addition to the White House, Democratic lawmakers and many rights groups have criticized Robinson, some demanding his resignation while others demand to meet with him to discuss his remarks.

Jeff Jackson, a Democratic senator and candidate for the US Senate urged Robinson to resign, Tweeter, “Calling many of your own voters ‘dirt’ means you have no intention of representing them. Our lieutenant governor should step down and allow someone who is willing to do the job to take his place. It wasn’t a dog whistle, folks. It was old-fashioned hate.

The Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization, published a declaration saying: “We call on Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson to resign for his shameful and hateful statements … This is not the first time Robinson has shared his discriminatory views, but it should be the last time he gets away with it.” as an elected leader. “

Kaye Vassey, spokesperson for the LGBT Center in Raleigh, echoed the sentiments of the HRC, telling the Guardian: “I am not getting into politics, only absolute human rights and words that he said are dangerous for the LGBTQ community, especially young people… and it is a travesty.

“We sent an open letter saying that we would like to organize this meeting and ask for his resignation,” Vassey added, referring to an open letter sent by St John’s Metropolitan Community Church on behalf of various religious groups to Robinson.

“Your words have caused tremendous harm and you have the potential to cost people their lives. The Trevor Projects estimates that at least one LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 attempts suicide every 45 seconds in the United States. This number could be reduced by up to 40% if an adult in the lives of these young people shares unconditional love with them, ”reads the letter obtained by the Guardian.

Alisson Scott, director of impact and innovation at Campaign for Southern Equality, told The Guardian: “When he makes these comments he kind of tries… to assume that there is no LGBTQ students and we’re all kind of just adults and that’s just plain wrong… For him to say that is dangerous, it’s a weapon.

Robinson, who has since doubled down on his comments, remained defiant, even posting on Facebook that he will not back down and be silent. He also said he would continue to fight for the right of children to receive an education free from sexual concepts that “do not belong in the classroom.”

According to Peter Montgomery, senior member of People For the American Way, Robinson’s act of defiance is “a sign that he intends to rally and motivate the right base to carry him past the finish line.”

“I think that’s his political strategy – to use that kind of rhetoric to portray himself as the victim. He’s happy to pounce on others, but somehow people who criticize him for his bigoted comments make him look like the victim, ”Montgomery told The Guardian.

Robinson’s recent comments are just the latest examples of his discrimination against the LGBTQ community. After the 2016 shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Robinson wrote, “I pray for the souls of all who have been killed… However, homosexuality is ALWAYS an abominable sin.

In 2019, Robinson accused parents of “mentally raping” their transgender children while criticizing gender reassignment surgeries.