Bernstine under scrutiny for alleged homophobic slurs about House colleague, denies claims
Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-8th, is under scrutiny after a report indicating he went on a homophobic tirade against one of his State House colleagues in a Harrisburg bar Tuesday night — an allegation he strongly denies.
A PennLive report on Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, claims Bernstine, who represents parts of Butler and Lawrence counties, was overheard in a crowded bar calling a gay Democratic lawmaker an anti-gay slur and falsely claiming the other lawmaker lost weight because of AIDS.
Bernstine denied the allegations in a Thursday morning news release, criticizing the source of the article. The report claims Bernstine uttered insults about Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-181, in McGrath’s Pub near the Capitol building, citing Michael Ford, the secretary and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council.
Bernstine is accused within the article of calling Kenyatta a “gay, Black [slur]” and asking in a joking manner if anyone knew why Kenyatta was now “so skinny” before saying it was because the man has AIDS at a bar where a Democratic fundraiser being held.
Kenyatta, who’s district is based in Philadelphia, “is openly gay and has purposefully lost considerable weight over the last few years,” PennLive said.
“The allegations attributed to me are false,” Bernstine said. “This is a political attack.”
Bernstine claims the article omitted details about the encounter with those associated with the building trades council. Bernstine claims he was seated in a separate room when several individuals approached him to object to amendments he intended to introduce on legislation supported by the council.
Bernstine claims individuals with the council tried to intimidate him with threats, adding that “political disagreements never justify threats or intimidation. It’s a shame that they need to spread falsehoods to win hearts and minds.”
The footprint of Bernstine’s district within Butler County includes Brady, Center, Clay, Connoquenessing, Forward, Franklin, Lancaster, Middlesex, Muddy Creek, Penn and Worth townships.
Leaders of the Black caucus and the LGBT+ Equality caucus called for Bernstine’s resignation Thursday morning.
“We are deeply disturbed by reports of hateful, degrading and untrue attacks directed at our friend and caucus member, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. Such conduct is unacceptable and has no place in our legislature. Every member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their identity or background,” a news release said.
“Rep. Bernstine must be held accountable for his words and actions, which have made him unfit to serve. Our constituents deserve a legislature that takes its responsibilities seriously and holds its members to a standard of decorum and decency worthy of public service.”
Kenyatta is a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. The DNC released a statement Wednesday afternoon calling for Bernstine to either resign or be censured by the State House.
“Hateful, homophobic and racist attacks like this have absolutely no place in our politics, our communities, or our country. Pennsylvanians deserve better from their elected officials, and Representative Bernstine should be held fully accountable for his harmful, disgraceful and unacceptable actions,” DNC chair Ken Martin said.
Bernstine said information about the incident has been provided to law enforcement and that communications and other evidence are being preserved.
“Reporters should scrutinize elected officials, including me,” Bernstine said. “But scrutiny is not a license to publish falsehoods or omit critical context. We are exploring all available legal remedies.”
