The Advocate: Heather Wilson’s Antigay Record, Husband’s Past Complicate Job at UT

ICYMI: GLAAD calls on O’Rourke to ‘speak out’ on Wilson UTEP nomination

NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today called on the Board of Regents for the University of Texas system to conduct a full and thorough background check on Heather Wilson before she assumes the role of President at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). This follows a disturbing news report suggesting Wilson used the power of her political office to cover up a sex abuse allegation involving her husband and a minor. Wilson also has an extensive anti-LGBTQ record, which GLAAD has chronicled since she assumed the role as Secretary of the Air Force.

“It is imperative that the University of Texas Board of Regents address Heather Wilson’s long anti-LGBTQ record and her mishandling of accusatory records related to her husband before this appointment moves forward,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD. “It’s critical that LGBTQ students – and all marginalized communities on the UTEP campus – feel safe and supported. Sadly, Heather Wilson appears unfit to represent the interests of all of the students she is poised to serve – just only those she deems are in line with her agenda.”

Prior to the bombshell by The Advocate, GLAAD called for UTEP, its students, and the El Paso community – including 2020 presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke – to reject Heather Wilson after research showed a disturbing anti-LGBTQ record by Wilson, including her vote against The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2007. Student groups and advocates have issued a public campaign against Heather Wilson since being named the “sole finalist” for the UTEP vacancy.

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