What Rep. Stam Really Said

The news media and the left have been all in a flutter about comments by Rep. Paul Stam asking for a definition of “sexual orientation.” Read the actual transcript below. Note that none of the other lawmakers would yield the floor for a question. Then compare his actual comments to the media accounts.

SB 793, “Charter School Modifications”

North Carolina House of Representatives

Rep. Stam’s debate on Rep. Susan Fisher’s Amendment

June 24, 2014

Click HERE to listen to the debate.

The audio may also be accessed at www.ncleg.net under “Audio” – “House Audio Archive” – 2014 – 06-24-2014

Debate begins at: 02:30:43

Speaker Tillis: Representative Stam, please state your purpose.

Rep. Stam: To debate the amendment.

Speaker Tillis: The gentleman is recognized to debate the amendment.

Rep. Stam: Sexual orientation is not defined anywhere. I have here thirty different types of sexual orientation. Now one of the precedents of the House is that when we discussed a bill about four years ago where it was for the first time included into the statutes, I offered an amendment to exclude two sexual orientations.

Let’s see…I didn’t know this was coming up, but if I could give it to the Sergeants at Arms to be passing it out. I thought we should exclude pedophilia, masochism and sadism, which are sexual orientations, but the Speaker at that time ruled it out of order to define the term.

Would Representative Fisher yield for a question?

Speaker Tillis: Representative Fisher, does the lady yield?

Rep. Fisher: Not at this time.

Speaker Tillis: The lady does not yield.

Rep. Stam: Would any member who seeks to vote for this amendment yield for a question? (long pause) Well, I think the response speaks for itself. Many, many sexual orientations are not ones you want to have teaching kids in school. Now you may think you know what you mean by this, but you don’t. I’d encourage you to vote against this amendment. I would just like to read you a few of them…I think I won’t read you a few. Instead what I do is, the Sergeants at Arms are passing it around, and if you think this is really what you want to vote for, I would ask that you…Well, we do have three lights up, so you’ll get a chance to read this before you vote on it.