Commissioner Beaty Under Fire For Gay-Related Social Media Post

BARNSTABLE – Controversial Barnstable County Commissioner Ron Beaty has ignited a new firestorm with a recent social media comment about gay people.

In a Twitter post on Tuesday, Beaty wrote,

“Generally speaking, are gay politicians too self-absorbed and self-centered to adequately represent ALL of their constituents in a fair and equitable manner?”

That comment has unleashed an avalanche of criticism from other politicians, including a call for him to resign from Brewster State Representative Tim Whelan.

While Beaty does not name any politician in the post, it comes just days after Provincetown State Representative Sarah Peake and Cape and Islands State Senator Julian Cyr were named to leadership posts on Beacon Hill.

Both are openly gay.

Beaty is no stranger to creating controversy. In the past, he has criticized the #MeToo movement, called for the killing of sharks and mocked fellow Republican Gov. Charlie Baker for not being conservative enough.

And he was active on Twitter early Wednesday morning, commenting on whether it’s an American’s duty to question authority, First Amendment rights and asking people whether or not they had God in their life.

Beaty has a prior criminal record, serving time in federal prison for threatening to kill politicians in the 1990’s.

In response to the post about gay politicians, Beaty submitted the following comment to the CapeCod.com NewsCenter.

“Statement from Ron Beaty Regarding Recent Social Media Posts In this country, we have something called the United States Constitution, which includes our First Amendment Right to Freedom of Speech! I happen to be an elected public official who frequently asks questions, and chooses to exercise that God given Right from time to time. Moreover, in speaking my mind, I am not politically correct and hope others will speak their minds in an equally candid fashion as as well. Since I have nothing wrong, then I have absolutely nothing to apologize for, and most assuredly will not consider resigning from my position as Barnstable County Commissioner! Thank you. Ron Beaty”

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