Michele And Marcus Bachmann Confronted By Gay Rights Supporters In Iowa

Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and her husband, Marcus, questioned Alfred Kinsey's research on the number of gays in the population Sunday at an Iowa campaign stop.

The Bachmanns warmly greeted Kathy Schnell who was sitting at an Iowa Pizza Ranch restaurant. "I wondered if you would sign my sign?" asked Schnell.

"Gay-friendly Iowan? Okay," said Rep. Bachmann, who signed it.

(Video of the exchange above via CNN.)

"I wonder also if you're aware that 10 percent of the population is gay," said Schnell while Rep. Bachmann signed her sign. "And if you have 28 children, then 2.8 of those kids are very likely gay," she continued as Bachmann greeted someone next to her. "She's not listening," said Schnell to her friend.

"Well, that's according to the Kinsey Report," said Rep. Bachmann.

"Well, 10 percent of the population is gay," she replied.

"That's what the Kinsey Report says," responded Rep. Bachmann. "Your facts are wrong," added Marcus Bachmann. The Bachmanns moved on.

"That's not valid?" said Schnell.

"It's not at all and it's been a myth for many years," replied Mr. Bachmann.

Sex researcher Alfred Kinsey said in 1948 that 10 percent of the men he surveyed -- a population that has been called into question for disproportionately sampling prison inmates and prostitutes -- were "more or less exclusively homosexual."

UCLA Researcher Gary Gates estimated that 1.7 percent of the U.S. population over 18 identified as gay or lesbian, with another 1.8 percent of the population identifying as bisexual. He said that one reason for the higher estimates was that other surveys included people who had sometimes engaged in homosexual acts or simply had same-sex attractions.

At the same appearance, Bachmann faced protesters drawing attention to LGBT teen suicides in her congressional district. In the Anoka-Hennepin school district, nine LGBT sudents have committed suicide, and critics say that the district has allowed bullying to continue and fostered an atmosphere of intolerance. She did not acknowledge the protesters.

Comments

[Ed McGaa]

06:58 AM on 12/21/2011

Ahh Michele. Please do not go away. Keep running. With 'Balin Palin' & 'Horny Cain' gone we need you to entertain us. I can always count on you to put your high heels back in your mouth, one way or the other.

[Symphysodon]

05:34 PM on 12/20/2011

10% of the population is gay. Oddly, 50% of Mr. and Mrs. Bachmann are gay.

[Solouno]

05:16 PM on 12/20/2011

Here's a myth; MIchele Bachmann becomes US President. LoL!

[Jerry Aripez]

05:01 PM on 12/20/2011

I think if her and her husband got ananalprobe they would understand the feelings of these folks....

[Giggie]

04:47 PM on 12/20/2011

Under Michelle, unemployment won't change, but every advance made in the last 50 years will be wiped away.

[KaAp]

04:23 PM on 12/20/2011

I am getting tired of the s.te.p.f.o.r.d.b.e.a.r.d. and her g.l.i.t.t.e.r.b.om.b.e.d. oh my my my c.l.o.s.e.t. is as tight as my prom dress husband.

[Nelle]

04:05 PM on 12/20/2011

Is there any hope for the Bachmanns?

[Jerry Aripez]

05:02 PM on 12/20/2011

NOPE....

[gaydood]

03:24 PM on 12/20/2011

Hi, I'm a Tea-Partier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnUfPQVOqpw

FOR U 2 MB'S MERRY XMAS:)

OBAMA 2012 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nypapajoe]

01:59 PM on 12/20/2011

America what has gay have to do with the political/economic situation in this country? Why are the Buchmann's so e grossed with this subject? If she is so concerned about the degree of homosexuality in this country she should resign her office and drop out of the presidential race to pursue her passion! She's either hearing voices or arguing against gays! What about the issues at hand?

[dre31]

01:18 PM on 12/20/2011

Mrs. Marcus Bachman and Mrs. Michele Bachman. Two lesbians lovers known as wife and wife, who both are dumb.

[CPAwADD]

01:09 PM on 12/20/2011

Marcus the gayest homophobe.

[AngelainIndiana]

12:09 PM on 12/20/2011

If Marcus is a "Pray Away the Gay" counselor then wouldn't there need to be a high percentage for his services to even be "required?" Something's not connecting here...

[Tanmag]

04:58 PM on 12/20/2011

I'm sure he could suck the gay right out of his clients.

[souzanne]

02:21 PM on 12/20/2011

Hahahahahaha! Yes he does,hilarious.

[Jim NLN]

03:29 PM on 12/20/2011

...well, maybe Barbara Bush!

[Eric in Manhattan]

11:16 AM on 12/20/2011

I think Marcus Bachman confused "gay myth" with "gay miss". Based on his own questionable sexuality, I can see the confusion.

[Larry Scantand]

11:10 AM on 12/20/2011

once again the CLUELESS Bachmann passes on misinformation. Just think if she would actually visit a Gay Center and talk with some gay youth she could see it from the a real perspective instead of the hate filled Christian perspective she feels compelled to follow.