Email insights: Carlos Smith resists getting ‘carried away’ at Obama LGBT event

Carlos Smith

In a new email to supporters, Democratic House District 49 hopeful Carlos Smith believes President Barack Obama‘s LGBT Pride Month celebration was a symbol of progress.

Not everyone there agreed.

In fact, at least one attendee at the White House event found it hard not to get carried away.

Not long into the ceremony, an angry LGBT activist interrupted Obama to call for the release of all LGBT immigrants in detention and end deportations.

Obama – who frequently gives hecklers leeway if they have a point — reminded the protester that “no, no, no, no … it was his house” before asking security to cart her off.

The leader of the free world later quipped that if guests are “eating hors d’oeuvres and drinking the booze,” he expects them to be quiet and listen what their host has to say.

After leaving the White House, presumably on his own volition, Smith reported he was “humbled to have been a part of this historic commemoration of how far we have come, especially with a SCOTUS decision only days away.”

The activist’s claims were the subject of a letter sent by 35 members of Congress, including Democratic Florida Reps. Alcee Hastings and Frederica Wilson, to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson expressing concern over the detainees.

Undeterred by the interruption – and staying completely on message — Smith called for Florida lawmakers to pass the Competitive Workforce Act to “send a message that Florida is a place where discrimination will not be tolerated.”

Fortunately, Smith didn’t get carried away with himself, unlike other invitees.

Drew Wilson

Drew Wilson covers legislative campaigns and fundraising for Florida Politics. He is a former editor at The Independent Florida Alligator and business correspondent at The Hollywood Reporter. Wilson, a University of Florida alumnus, covered the state economy and Legislature for LobbyTools and The Florida Current prior to joining Florida Politics.



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