Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie
A fundraiser for British rugby star Ben Cohen’s anti-bullying foundation has been moved from the home of a Republican Texas lawmaker, after an Instant Tea post about the event stirred controversy Thursday.
Jeff Hickey, a gay Dallas resident who’s organizing the Sept. 16 fundraiser for Cohen’s StandUp Foundation, said he chose to move the event from the Highland Park home owned by State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie.
Cohen’s foundation is focused on combating anti-gay bullying, and two days after the fundraiser Cohen will be a special VIP guest at Dallas’ gay Pride parade. Rep. Pitts, meanwhile, has an anti-gay voting record and supported an effort to ban LGBT resource centers from college campuses in Texas earlier this year.
“It created a firestorm politically,” Hickey said of the Instant Tea post, written by Daniel Williams. “Within one day, it was diverting all the attention and resources.
“Within the course of just a couple hours, it made it’s way to London and Austin and all over the place,” Hickey added. “The entire message was lost, and that was extremely disappointing to a lot of people.”
Hickey said the post prompted Cohen’s representatives in London to contact him, and at one point the rugby star’s entire four-day visit to Dallas was in jeopardy.
“Ben’s got a very sensitive brand and a very popular international brand, and they’re not interested in that brand being messed up in Texas politics,” Hickey said.
HIckey said it was an “unfortunate situation” and he understands both sides of the issue, including Instant Tea’s desire to report on the issue. He also said he was “very honored” that Pitts offered to host the event and noted that the state representative voted in favor of two anti-bullying measures backed by Equality Texas in this year’s session.
Asked how Pitts came to host the fundraiser in the first place, Hickey said, “I was approached by some people that said we could possibly do it at his house.” But Hickey declined to say who those people were or elaborate. Pitts hasn’t returned a phone call seeking comment.
Hickey said the fundraiser will now be held at a private residence in Oak Cliff. Anyone interested in attending can email info@dallasstandsup.com.
I really think that Daniel Williams’ original post, attempting to create a mountain out of a molehill, was tacky and unneccesary. We, as gay people, bitch and moan about the perceived (and sometimes valid) hatred coming from political figures. However, when one of our perceived enemies does attempt to do something for our cause, we STILL want to beat them up for past transgressions. I feel like it makes us look impossible to please and might prevent future dialog across the aisles from happening. I consider myself a liberal Democrat, and I’m continually appalled at the venom from the far right. HOWEVER, I would like to believe that both sides can make strides toward the middle in a respectable manner.
“…has an anti-gay voting record and supported an effort to ban LGBT resource centers from college campuses in Texas earlier this year.”
Voting to ban LGBT resource centers may have been the result of factors that are not anti-gay. The writer of this article and the Voice owe readers intelligent reasons why they are making this claim. They may owe readers and Pitts a huge apology. Frequent tabloid style articles can diminish credibility.
Why does a state rep for Waxahachie live in HP?