Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner admits using 'indefensible' antigay slurs in unearthed Reddit posts

[lapucelle]

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner admits using ‘indefensible’ antigay slurs in unearthed Reddit posts

A progressive U.S. Senate candidate in Maine, who has already apologized for earlier misogynistic and racially insensitive remarks and said he did not realize that a tattoo on his chest resembled a Nazi SS emblem, is again under scrutiny, this time for anti-LGBTQ+ comments.

In an interview on Wednesday afternoon with The Advocate, Graham Platner, a 41-year-old Marine and Army veteran running in Maine’s Democratic primary, seeking to become the nominee to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, confirmed that he authored a series of Reddit comments that include homophobic slurs, anti-LGBTQ+ jokes, and sexually explicit stories denigrating gay men.

The existence of the comments, posted under the handle P-Hustle between 2016 and 2021, has not previously been reported. The Advocate obtained the posts independently this week. The revelations come on the same day Platner is scheduled to hold a town hall in Ogunquit, a seaside resort long known as one of New England’s most prominent LGBTQ+ destinations, featuring a thriving gay community and Pride celebrations that draw visitors from across the region.

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The unearthed posts show a pattern of homophobic language and rhetoric that mocked or demeaned LGBTQ+ people. In some cases, Platner appeared to use slurs casually in discussions unrelated to sexuality; in others, he explicitly framed gay people as the punch line.

https://www.advocate.com/politics/graham-platner-homophobic-posts

[Aristus]

1. He's becoming a liability.

Maybe he should run as a Republican.

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Let's remember

These folks send Collins. I wonder if he says he's "deeply concerned" he'll maintain support.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

3. I hope Dems have other good candidates

[leftstreet]

4. His 15 minutes is about up

This is all really sad

He was out of his league and in over his head

If he didn't understand what could potentially unravel his campaign, he was never going to help anyone in Maine

Here's hoping he makes good on his claims that his history shaped him into a better person. Maybe he could become an activist for things like a higher minimum wage, or single payer healthcare!

[BeerBarrelPolka]

8. I have a feeling

He'll become an ICE agent in the near future.

[herding cats]

5. I do not care who endorses him.

He's a horrible choice for a very important seat. How much baggage can any "Progressive" be expected to defend here?

Lucky for us this one is imploding early.

[Maru Kitteh]

6. Drunk on holiday again?

[Cha]

7. "Progressive"? smh..

Mahalo, lapucellle.

[EdmondDantes_]

9. I'm amazed with all that's come out that he thought running was going to work

Any one can be excused to an extent, but piled up together and it's an ugly picture.

And it's also amazing to me just how frequently misogynistic, racist, and homophobic language seems to run together.

[Disaffected]

10. Well, he turned out to be (pre)burnt toast.

And I still don't understand what qualifications he had for a Senator to begin with.

Also looks like Bernie screwed up bigly here....

[mopinko]

11. apparently too dumb to hire someone to do oppo on himself 1st.

dude, that’s the 1st thing u do.

[herding cats]

14. Right?

I thought the same thing! This was exactly where I went when I saw the Reddit dump. And he's running for a vital national seat! I'd bet my entire month's grocery money there's more we've not yet seen. You know I'm right.

Sadly, in this current environment the tattoo might have floated, or so I was thinking.

Don't get me wrong, I'm deeply grateful this is coming out early, but I'm also irritated he's gained high profile endorsements.

It kind of feels like we just want to embrace unnecessary angst and drama sometimes. There are other potential options. Why do we have to toss support on someone so freaking messy? I really don't get this.

[Cha]

22. Yes, because there will be

Oppo Research!

TY

[mopinko]

23. anyone w a brain does their own, 1st thing.

u HAVE to know what can b dug up. even if u think you’re squeaky clean, if you’ve lived any kind of life, there’s someone out there w something bad to say about u.
if u have a nazi tattoo….

[JI7]

12. I thought it was just the tattoo

but these things are worse than the tattoo which maybe could have been excused based on what he said. But not if he has actually said bigoted things himself.

And it's things he said only a few years ago when we were already dealing with the Trump shit.

[W_HAMILTON]

15. This dude needs to just drop out already. And anyone that has endorsed him should rescind that endorsement.

At this point, he's become a liability to the progressive causes he claims to support.

"Not him. Us."

[sheshe2]

16. The man is no 'Progressive'.

I think he needs to go back to oyster farming.

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Maybe THIS will be where some draw the line...

...but I don't know if it is enough, because after all, it "just jokes". I have seen more and more people become more tolerant of homophobia, especially when directed at gay men. I guess we should be thankful it wasn't another tattoo.

I agree with Obama when he said "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" however, there must be a line in the sand. If this is the BEST we can put forth, then our problems are much more dire.

[Jack Valentino]

21. Yeah, it's too much for me anymore--- and I was initially excited by his candidacy

as a 'real working man'--- but too many skeletons are coming out of the closet at this point...


It's possible that the general electorate of Maine might not be offended by all of this,
but the Democratic electorate certainly will be....

It's a sad spectacle--- he sabotaged himself long before he became a candidate--
it's possible he didn't even remember some of the things that he posted,
but "the internet is forever"!

I might have a similar problem if I ever again ran for office,
with things I have posted on the inter-webs---
but in my case they would have to do with my extreme hatred of Republicans,
and not slurs against segments of our own party base!

Yeah, Republicans have posted much worse things, but we are not Republicans!
I'm ready to believe that the Democratic primary for US Senator from Maine
is just about over! I won't be supporting this guy anymore.

[oasis]

18. Cool story bro'

[Nixie]

19. Getting into train wreck territory now.

Time to cut this one loose.

[somsai]

24. Today's poll didn't help

https://scholars.unh.edu/survey_center_polls/897/

Bottom line it was 58/24. Platner/Mills

They cut up the electorate into Socialists, Progressives, Liberals, Moderate, Conservative, Libertarian.Platner got all his support from Socialists and progressives, Mills got hers from liberals.

The poll was from before whatever the latest outrage has been, I'm sure there will be more. Long ways to June and the primaries.