During an interview with Republican congressional candidate Leon Benjamin, MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart Grilled Navy Veteran and the pastor over a homophobic Facebook post he wrote 12 years ago.
Benjamin, who is running against Democrat Jennifer McClellan in a special election in Virginia, wrote a Facebook post in January 2011 promoting a service at New Life Harvest Church, where he serves as pastor. In it, he encouraged parishioners to bring their “sick, disease” [sic]Friends and loved ones of gay, lesbian, lesbian, transvestite, bipolar, alcoholic, drug addicts.
“You started this conversation by saying that you are ‘running to be a bridge.’ You used the word unity,” Capehart said after reading the post to Benjamin. “How is this a bridge? How can this be a unifier for Virginia’s 4th congressional district that is the district most likely to have LGBTQ people?”
Benjamin said Capehart was looking at his words “in a different way” and stressed that he did not want to “marginalize” LGBTQ individuals.
“I don’t think we should marginalize one group of people and use that for political gain,” he continued. “I think LGBTQ and gays are dealing with higher gas prices, inflation, higher crime, education. I think we’re all dealing with issues, and we shouldn’t marginalize them, and I think My compassion is actually quite strong… I don’t think my opponent has compassion for all people.
Capehart replied, “As a gay, married man, I have a hard time finding compassion in that 2011 post.”
“Come to my church, Jonathan. You’re welcome, ”Benjamin replied. “I will not push you away. I will not marginalize you. You will be welcomed.
Benjamin and McClellan’s special election on February 21 was held by Democrat A.J. Donald McEachin, who defeated Benjamin in the midterm election last November with 61.6% of the vote, but died of cancer less than a month later. McClellan, a Virginia state senator and former gubernatorial candidate, is favored to win the Democrat-leaning district, which includes the state capital, Richmond.
Watch Capehart and Benjamin’s interview in the clip above.