PA Rep Goes On Homophobic Tirade Against Gay Rep

Penn Live reports:

A Republican state legislator went on a homophobic tirade at a Harrisburg bar Tuesday night, calling a gay Democratic lawmaker an anti-gay slur and falsely claiming he lost weight because he has AIDS.

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, whose 8th Legislative District covers parts of Butler and Lawrence counties north of Pittsburgh, uttered the insults about Philadelphia state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta in a crowded McGrath’s Pub, according to Michael Ford, the secretary/treasurer of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council.

Ford and Bernstine got into a verbal confrontation as the Republican spewed insults about Kenyatta and Robert Bair, the president of the Building Trades Council, who was sitting at a nearby table talking to other people and was not involved in the altercation. Bernstine called Kenyatta a “gay, black [slur]” and asked in a joking manner if anyone knew why Kenyatta was now “so skinny” before saying it was because he has AIDS, said Ford.

In 2017, Bernstine drew attention for a post on X in which he seemed to threaten to run over protestors with his vehicle if they blocked a road with “negative intentions.” Three years later, the USA TODAY Network exposed a Snapchat video in which Bernstine encouraged his son, who was 5 at the time, to smoke a cigar and make disparaging comments about women. He also played an adult-themed game with another boy.

Via press release:

The leaders of Pennsylvania’s Legislative Black and Equality caucuses have issued the following statement calling for the resignation of state Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-Butler/Lawrence, after recent reporting by PennLive:

“We are deeply disturbed by reports of hateful, degrading, and untrue attacks directed at our friend and caucus member Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. Such conduct is unacceptable and has no place in our legislature. Every member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their identity or background.

“No one should have to endure personal attacks or hateful rhetoric to do their job. We will continue to stand firmly against hate, intimidation, and bullying, and to defend the dignity of every person who serves in this chamber.

“Representative Bernstine must be held accountable for his words and actions, which have made him unfit to serve. Our constituents deserve a legislature that takes its responsibilities seriously and holds its members to a standard of decorum and decency worthy of public service. We are calling on all House members, but especially Republican leaders, to denounce his behavior, to join us in demanding his resignation, and for Republican leaders to identify the steps they will take to guard against this kind of pathetic behavior within their caucus.”

Bernstine last appeared here in March 2025 when he and a group of parents sued to undo LGBTQ anti-discrimination protections in Pennsylvania. He also appeared here in 2024 for his bill that would make it illegal for minors to attend drag shows.

Bigotry ‘r Us. A Republican state legislator went on a homophobic tirade at a Harrisburg bar Tues night, calling a gay Democratic lawmaker an anti-gay slur and falsely claiming he lost weight because he has AIDS. Rep Aaron Bernstine, whose district covers parts of Butler and Lawrence counties north

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— Scott Horton (@robertscotthorton.bsky.social) September 30, 2026 at 11:33 PM

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