Reynolds calls accusations ‘patently false’

The Rey Reynolds campaign issued a statement Tuesday in response to statements they say are circulating online accusing Reynolds of saying he was “legally allowed to arrest transgender citizens simply for being trans.”

“That is patently false,” Reynolds said. “Not only did I not say I’m legally allowed to do that, but I would never advocate for a police officer to be allowed to do anything of the sort! I believe in upholding the Constitution and I stand firmly against violating any citizens’ rights. An arrest of that magnitude would be a clear and disgusting violation of a person’s rights- no matter where they fit into the LBGTQ community.”

An area newspaper printed an article informing people of the accusations, as well as a petition to have Reynolds fired from his current job. The newspaper allowed Reynolds to clarify the misstatements with the following: “Reynolds said Thursday his stance on arresting people who violate exposure laws has nothing to do with someone’s sexual orientation or gender expression.” Reynolds was quoted as saying, “And I am not going to allow the majority to violate the civil rights of the minority. I just won’t do it. I won’t allow it. That means that if you are trans, no law should be used against you because you’re trans. If you are gay, then no law should be used against you because you’re gay, unless you violate the law, which is the basic norm of the area.” Reynolds said in a statement he stands by this quote.

Reynolds added the following on Tuesday, “I could not care less how someone chooses to live their lives in terms of gay straight, transgender, whatever. I love them just as much as I love the next guy – I just love people! Where I have an issue is when children or other innocents who can’t advocate for themselves start to get mentally harmed. Of course I don’t want to arrest anyone ‘simply for being trans’ like this ridiculous petition circulating suggests. That’s slanderous and a flat out lie.

“But, should someone act in a lewd or lascivious manner, whether they’re trans or not, that’s against the law. If anyone, at any event, should go so far as to expose themselves or bring children into sexual acts, real or simulating, that’s where the law is broken, and when everyone should be concerned!

“I think it’s important to clarify that I don’t believe the law should be enforced in a one-sided manner because people are members of the LGBTQ community. I believe the law should be enforced despite that. I have no desire to shame or needlessly incriminate the people who identify in any way- I only want to protect children. That’s something that should be important to everyone.”

Rey Reynolds is a police corporal in Southwest Washington and a candidate for Clark County Sheriff. He is facing John Horch in the Nov. 8 general election.

For more information, visit www.reyreynolds.com or go to Facebook, Instagram @VoteReyReynolds