Time’s almost up: Delegate Porterfield should resign unless heowns up to his hate and apologizes

Time’s almost up Delegate Eric Porterfield.
When news of his hate-filled diatribe was first reported Feb. 6 in a House Government Organization Committee meeting we were appalled.
That any public official, who we like to think reflect the dignity and distinction of their office, would resort to such blatant intolerance and incivility was deeply disturbing.
Such attempts to bully and intimidate people by publicly disparaging them crosses a lot of red lines. Though it may be in fashion in some quarters in Washington, D.C., we are better than that in West Virginia.
Yet, we waited to give Porterfield an opportunity to come to his senses and sincerely apologize for his insensitive and intolerant position.
Almost everyone has publicly — via social media or in person — spouted off in anger or ignorance and regretted doing so later. But most of us, after realizing our wrong, apologized.
We also hoped that the level of criticism from initially the minority party, then the majority party in the Legislature would temper his bigotry.
Then a week ago, he was apparently admonished by the House Speaker, a Republican, in a private meeting. Soon after that he was further censured by his two fellow Mercer County delegates, both Republicans.
Still, rather than apologize for his remarks he doubled down on them and refused to own up to his poisonous words.
We call on Porterfield, R-Mercer, today to apologize to his constituents in the 27th House District and to every West Virginians, especially those in the LGBTQ community.
If at day’s end he declines to say he’s sorry he should immediately resign his office.
This is no commentary on his opposition to anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity or our support of such laws.
We supported Morgantown’s efforts to enact such a law in October 2017 and have consistently for years advocated for expanding the state’s Human Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
But this is no issue of policy, politics or just a difference of opinion. It’s an issue of hate, blatant bigotry and extremism of the lowest order.
If Porterfield fails to make a good faith effort of contrition we call on the state Republican Party to take action against him. What kind of action? Move to expand the state Human Rights Act to include the LGBTQ population.
The hour is getting late Delegate Porterfield. And so is your resignation.