An Albany County Legislator is facing calls to resign after making homophobic comments on video earlier this week.
Republican George Langdon of the 37th District is seen speaking at a March 27th event in Voorheesville called “A Return To Liberty Under the Constitution.” A section of the YouTube video is being shared widely on social media.
In the video, Langdon says: "This whole gender issue. OK. Everything God does is sustainable. It's sustainable. It goes on and on and on. It's perpetual. Sorry. When you have homosexual relationships, it's not perpetual. Give them an island, they'll be gone after 40 years, OK? Because they can't — God created us to be this way. There's so much common sense that needs to be applied to our policies, our procedures, the things that we do in our government."
Langdon, of Selkirk, was elected in 2019. Democratic Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce called on Langdon to resign and said he is unfit to serve. Democratic County Executive Dan McCoy says the comments are “brazenly hateful” and represent “outdated and backward thinking.”
Frank Mauriello, the legislature's Republican Minority Leader, says "on the subject of resignation, each elected official is responsible for their words and actions and is accountable to the constituents in his/her district.”
“Whatever your sexual orientation, we are all equal in God's eyes and equal under the law," Mauriello said in a statement Wednesday. "Any statements that contradict that belief are unacceptable. Our community is strengthened by mutual respect and understanding and a shared belief that divisive comments will never move us forward."
Langdon is a former Coeymans Town Councilman.
The event was organized by the Liberty Bell Alliance, whose founder Bill Tryon was arrested by the FBI Tuesday and faces charges related to entering the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th riot. Tryon speaks at the beginning of the event at Camp Pinnacle.
UPDATE:
On Thursday, Langdon apologized in a written statement: "I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community and all others for the hurtful remarks recently made at a conference. I have never been homophobic nor do I think any individuals should be placed on an island. I deeply regret my foolish off-the cuff comment that has caused so much pain. I commit to doing a better job of respecting diversity.
I hope my years of past public service demonstrate genuine concern for all individuals. I will be taking time to reflect on how to best serve moving forward."
