North Carolina Governor Uses Word With Anti-Gay Connotations When Endorsing Sen. Clinton

Controversy was sparked by the remarks of North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley during his April 29 public endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton for president.  With Sen. Clinton standing next to him at North Carolina State University, Gov. Easley told the crowd “…this lady right here makes Rocky Balboa look like a pansy.”  Gov. Easley’s use of the word “pansy,” which Webster’s Dictionary defines as “[Slang] an effeminate man; esp., an effeminate male homosexual: often a contemptuous term,” was taken by some people to be an anti-gay slur.  In the wake of Gov. Easley’s remarks, GLAAD issued a statement of concern about his decision to use a word with anti-gay connotations to endorse Sen. Clinton.  The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times have also noted that many bloggers have been debating about the anti-gay implications of Gov. Easley’s use of the word "pansy" and questioning why Sen. Clinton, a supporter of many LGBT issues, hasn’t issued a statement about it. Additionally, Keith Olbermann on MSNBC’s Countdown discussed Gov. Easley’s offensive choice of words.  As discussion about Gov. Easley’s remarks continues, the media may be asking Sen. Clinton tougher questions in the coming days about her response to Gov. Easley’s remarks.

Cindi Creager is Director of National News