Rep. Tom McMillin (Photo provided by Rep. McMillin's office)
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (WJBK) -
State Representative Tom McMillin held a town hall meeting Monday night. It was only attended by a few people, but one person in the crowd asked the politician his views on being gay and his response was caught on tape.
"Do you still believe that being gay is like smoking? It's a choice?" McMillin was asked.
"I think that the thousands of people that have been in that lifestyle and have come out would say that it was their choice when they were in it and came out of the lifestyle," he responded.
"Do you think that some people are born gay?"
"I don't know."
"But you do think that it's a choice?"
"I think for some it is. I mean, it sounds like it."
"I couldn't believe it. I just was amazed that someone that lives in 2012 in the United States of America thinks that being gay is a choice," said Bruce Fealk.
He is a longtime resident of Rochester Hills and a Democrat. He believes McMillin's views are pretty outrageous, so he pulled out his video camera and headed to the town hall meeting to get the politician's views on the record. He said McMillin knew he was being recorded at the time.
"I think it's important for people to know who Tom McMillin is and what he stands for."
Craig Covey is openly gay and a longtime local politician. We showed him the video, which was posted on a blogging site. He told us he wasn't surprised at McMillin's comments, but said the level of intolerance against those in the gay community is changing for the better.
"Americans are becoming more and more accepting of gay people. The science says that it is not a choice, but I'll tell you what is a choice. Being a prejudice person, being a bigot, being anti-gay, that is a choice and it's a choice that Tom McMillin has made."
McMillin declined to do an interview with us, but his office released the following statement.
"A few liberals clearly want to take the focus off what we've been accomplishing. I have had numerous office hours across my community and overwhelmingly the issues I hear from constituents at these events are things we've accomplished in the Legislature - reforming education, improving the economy and making Michigan a better place to have a job. There is more work to be done and I'm committed to moving Michigan forward."
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:38 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:38:07 GMT
Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young both entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday in the brutal attack on Tucker's family. We're learning both of their attorneys want separate trials.
Tucker Cipriano and Mitchell Young both entered pleas of not guilty Tuesday in the brutal attack on Tucker's family. We're learning both of their attorneys want separate trials.
Sunday, June 9 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-10 02:36:59 GMT
A brutal baseball bat murder shocked metro Detroit and helped to spark the crackdown on synthetic marijuana. Now the two young men accused in that attack are heading to trial.
A brutal baseball bat murder shocked metro Detroit and helped to spark the crackdown on synthetic marijuana. Now the two young men accused in that attack are heading to trial.
Saturday, February 23 2013 11:33 PM EST2013-02-24 04:33:03 GMT
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
An AK-47, three other long guns and two handguns are now off the streets of Detroit. The weapons were confiscated by Wayne County Sherrif's deputies during a raid at a suspected drug house.
Saturday, February 23 2013 8:56 PM EST2013-02-24 01:56:59 GMT
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.n.
Michigan's road to recovery could take a big hit if congress allows $85 million in cuts to the defense department. Tens of thousands of jobs could be at risk in our state, especially in Macomb County.
Monday, February 18 2013 6:38 PM EST2013-02-18 23:38:52 GMT
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
A mother is pained beyond words. Her three-year-old daughter was killed in a crash Sunday on Detroit's west side less than a block from her house. The chaotic scene was visible from her front door.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
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Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
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Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
Rep. Tom McMillin (Photo provided by Rep. McMillin's office)
