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NC Lt. Gov. confronts Democrat after she says politicians shouldn’t attack LGBTQ constituents

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson confronted a Democratic lawmaker Monday night after she gave a speech denouncing remarks he has made about LGBTQ people.

Robinson “berated” Sen. Julie Mayfield, a Democrat from Asheville, after her speech and wagged his finger in front of her face, saying he didn’t appreciate her “equating Black people with gay people,” according to Mayfield and another lawmaker who witnessed the encounter.

Robinson’s comments were in response to a speech Mayfield gave after a legislative vote Monday.

“If we can’t respect our constituents rather than viciously attack some of them, then maybe we’re in the wrong job,” Mayfield said, referring to several instances in which Robinson has made anti-LGBTQ comments.

Mayfield also highlighted the civil rights struggles of Black people in her speech.

Reached by phone, Robinson said he didn’t want to talk about the incident and that it made him angry.

“If you weren’t there to hear what I said to her, you’ll just have to take her word for it because anything I tell you you’re probably going to twist for your own purposes,” Robinson said.

Robinson also told Mayfield he was tired of people being critical of him, she said.

Democratic Sen. Natasha Marcus tweeted video of the encounter.

Brian Murphy of the NC Insider contributed.

N.C. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks during a press conference.
N.C. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks during a press conference.