Allegheny County DA candidate being criticized for comments about LGBTQ+ community

Allegheny County district attorney candidate Tuhran Jenkins is being criticized for what he reportedly told members of the LGBTQ+ community during a meeting.

Several people who were there say Jenkins told them that he doesn’t agree with their lifestyle, allegedly saying they “live in sin."

Jenkins tried to clear things up in a statement he posted on social media, but some in the LGBTQ+ community say it's not enough and want to see him apologize and step down.

Last week, Jenkins announced his campaign against District Attorney Stephen Zappala in the shadow of the police killing of Antwon Rose, but some supporters became worried after learning about a church with which he's affiliated.

LGBTQ+ members said they were surprised when they looked at Jenkin's church website.

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"There's lots of sermons and teachings that equate being a member of the LGBTQ community is like a sin an abomination," said Maria Montano, who attended the meeting.

Because of that, LGBTQ+ members said they met with Jenkins days after his announcement.

"I fully expected him to say he understood that the views of his church were problematic. (and that) he had been fighting against those views," said Jodi Hirsh, who attended the meeting.

"Somebody just asked the question of 'do you believe being gay is a sin' and Jenkins responded with, 'Yes' and 'Just like adulterous is a sin,'"Montano said.

Jenkins took to social media to clear up things. Part of his statement said:

"I clearly hurt and offended members of the LGBTQIA+ community, which was never my intent. I never want to be the source of someone's pain or hurt, my aim in life is to be the exact opposite"

Cox Media Group