PITTSBURGH \u2014 Allegheny County Council President Patrick Catena is facing criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates over a campaign mailer as he runs for a state House seat.<\/p>\n
The mailer seems to target his sole opponent in the race, Brittany Bloom, and stated she was supported by \u201can extreme left group that advocates for transgender athletes in our sports.\u201d<\/p>\n
During Tuesday\u2019s county council meeting, advocates held signs and directly addressed Catena, demanding he step down as council president.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy advice is to resign from county council and then meet with trans people,\u201d one speaker said.<\/p>\n
More than a dozen people spoke during public comment, expressing what they described as a loss of confidence in Catena\u2019s leadership and arguing the language in the mailer targeted a marginalized community.<\/p>\n
\u201cPat, the mailing represents deep disrespect for the LGBTQ+ community,\u201d another speaker said.<\/p>\n
Others called for Catena to resign immediately.<\/p>\n
Following the meeting\u2019s adjournment, Catena spoke with Channel 11 in an impromptu interview. <\/p>\n
He acknowledged approving the mailer and apologized for its language.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt came from my campaign, and I have said I was sorry for it,\u201d Catena said when asked if he regretted the wording.<\/p>\n
Catena said he plans to remain in the race for state House and will not step down from his county council leadership role at this time.<\/p>\n
He also said he needs to do \u201csome soul searching.\u201d<\/p>\n
While addressing the controversy, Catena clarified his stance on transgender athletes, saying discussions about inclusion should continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve said we always need to include people. We need to be as inclusive as possible, but we need to have honest discussions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Catena agreed to meet with advocates soon to further discuss their concerns.<\/p>\n
Councilperson DeWitt Walton called for a vote for a new president and demanded that Catena resign during the meeting.<\/p>\n
The county solicitor said any effort to vote on new leadership for the county council would need to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting in two weeks.<\/p>\n
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