Republican lobbyist loses clients over wanting to ban openly gay NFL players

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A Republican lobbyist who called for openly gay NFL players to be banned because of shower situations has begun to lose clients.

Reports suggest that Jack Burkman, who made a statement on Monday calling for the ban, had already lost one high-profile client.

In his statement, Burkman said: “Imagine your son being forced to shower with a gay man. That’s a horrifying prospect for every mom in the country. What in the world has this nation come to?”

One California green energy company, DC Solar, a client of Burkman, was quick to release a statement distancing itself from his views.

CEO Jeffrey Carpoff and COO Paulette Carpoff announced in a joint statement: “DC Solar does not condone or support Mr Burkman’s homophobic views,and since learning about his misguided efforts to write legislation banning gay athletes from the NFL, we have ended our relationship with him,

“DC Solar values diversity within our company and within our communities, and we do not tolerate discrimination of any sort. As a company working to address issues about our country’s future, we have no intention of working with those who are stuck in the past.”

Michael Sam, a University of Missouri football player, came out in an ESPN interview on 9 February.

If selected by a team in the upcoming NFL draft he would make history as the sport’s first openly gay and serving professional player.

 

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