a republican allegedly used a slur about his gay colleague at a democratic fundraiser. if true, bold choice of venue.

via PennLive, as carried by Raw Story, Butler Radio and FOX43

If you were going to say something vile about a gay Democrat, you would think you would not do it at a Democratic fundraiser. And yet.

Michael Ford, secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, told PennLive that state Rep. Aaron Bernstine called Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta an anti-gay slur on Tuesday night at McGrath's Pub in Harrisburg, and asked whether anyone knew why Kenyatta had gotten so thin before answering that it was because he has AIDS, Raw Story reports. A Democratic fundraiser was underway at the bar. Kenyatta was not there.

Kenyatta, of Philadelphia, is openly gay and a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. He has intentionally lost a significant amount of weight over the past few years, PennLive reported. He declined to comment.

Ford said Bernstine seemed to be there only to stir things up, and that things never turned physical. Two members of the council went on record with PennLive, Butler Radio reports.

what bernstine says happened

Bernstine, a Republican who represents parts of Butler and Lawrence counties, did not answer PennLive. He did answer his hometown station. "The allegations attributed to me are false," he told Butler Radio. "This is a political attack."

His version is that he was in a different room when several people came over to object to amendments on legislation, and that they were the ones making threats. "During that encounter, statements directed at me included, 'I know where you live,' 'I can't wait to see you outside,' and 'I'll kill you,'" he said. "Political disagreements never justify threats or intimidation. It's a shame that they need to spread falsehoods to win hearts and minds."

So we have two accounts of one bar, and they agree on exactly one thing: Aaron Bernstine was in it.

the calls to resign

The chairs of the House's Equality Caucus and Black Caucus want him out. "Representative Bernstine must be held accountable for his words and actions, which have made him unfit to serve," they said in a statement, per Butler Radio, calling on Republican leaders "to denounce his behavior, to join us in demanding his resignation."

"These reports of a member spewing hateful, vile language about another member are shocking, offensive and deeply disappointing," House Democratic leaders said, according to FOX43. "He should be ashamed of himself and apologize for his embarrassing and hateful behavior."

His own side was quieter but not silent. A House Republican Caucus spokesperson told FOX43 the alleged conduct is "troubling and does not comport with the values and professionalism Pennsylvanians expect of their state lawmakers." Nobody on that side has said the word resign. Yet.

Rep. Ben Waxman, a fellow Democrat, posted that he was "absolutely disgusted" by the reported comments about "my friend and colleague," and that "Bernstine should resign."

his party has asked before

Republican leaders will recognize the request, because they have made it themselves. In October 2020, after videos surfaced of Bernstine encouraging his young son to smoke and curse, House GOP leaders said, "we call on Rep. Bernstine to immediately resign," Spotlight PA reported at the time.

He did not resign. He is on the ballot again in November.