Stein Club president rebukes WaPo

Jeffrey Richardson, president of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, is criticizing the Washington Post’s editorial board for its endorsement of Delano Hunter in the Ward 5 Council race.

Hunter opposes marriage equality and has called for a referendum on D.C.’s same-sex marriage law. The anti-gay group National Organization for Marriage is backing Hunter, who attended NOM’s “Summer for Marriage” tour when it stopped in D.C. last month.

“This endorsement was not only an endorsement of Mr. Hunter, but it was a slap in the face to the D.C. LGBT community and an endorsement of those who oppose marriage equality and who are actively working to divide our city over the issue,” Richardson wrote on his blog.

Richardson singles out Washington Post editorial board member Joann Armao for criticism and accuses the Post of refusing to endorse any candidate who has challenged Mayor Adrian Fenty or questioned schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee.

“How dare Joann Armao and the other members of the Washington Post editorial board tell members of the LGBT community that since Mr. Hunter isn’t a major homophobe by their standards we should get over it and let it go,” Richardson wrote. “The Washington Post has the right to endorse whomever they desire based on whatever criteria they establish, however you don’t get the right to tell the LGBT community what is and what isn’t homophobic.”

Richardson’s full post is here.