# Pa. lawmaker resigns from committees after anti-gay slur claims

> Pennsylvania Rep. Aaron Bernstine steps down from committees after accused of using anti-gay slur against gay Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.
- Title: Pa. lawmaker resigns from committees after anti-gay slur…
- Summary: Pennsylvania Rep. Aaron Bernstine steps down from committees after accused of using anti-gay slur against gay Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. State Rep. Aaron…
- Keywords: aaron bernstine, malcolm kenyatta, pennsylvania house, homophobia, lgbtq+, state rep, resignation, committees, news, local, lawmaker, resigns
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/aaron-bernstine-house-committees-homophobic-slur-malcolm-kenyatta
- Published: 2026-10-07T18:22:54.188+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: aaron bernstine, malcolm kenyatta, pennsylvania house, homophobia, lgbtq+, state rep, resignation, committees, news, local
## State Rep. Aaron Bernstine resigns from House committees
State Rep. Aaron Bernstine resigned from his four House committee assignments during a House session Tuesday.
## Accusations of anti-gay slur against Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta
Bernstine allegedly called Kenyatta a 'gay, Black (slur)' and suggested he has lost weight because he has AIDS.

> gay, Black (slur)
## Kenyatta calls resignation 'important first step'
Kenyatta said Bernstine's move was an 'important first step in accountability' and reiterated calls for him to step down from office.

> important first step in accountability
## Bernstine denies remarks, calls it political attack
Bernstine denied making the remarks and called the reports a 'political attack' from the labor union.

> political attack
## Multiple Reps support Kenyatta's calls for resignation
State Reps. Napoleon Nelson, Jessica Benham, Ismail Smith-Wade-El and Tim Briggs echoed Kenyatta's calls for Bernstine to resign.
## Kenyatta criticizes Bernstine's behavior
Kenyatta stated Bernstine's pattern of 'vile and deeply troubling behavior' has long been known in Harrisburg.

> vile and deeply troubling behavior
## Bernstine's committee assignments
Bernstine will be replaced on the House Insurance, Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations, Labor and Industry, and Transportation committees.
## Kenyatta's statement on accountability
Kenyatta said to every Pennsylvanian who has experienced hate, bigotry or bullying they are not alone and the commonwealth is better than this.
## Key takeaway

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine resigned from House committees following claims he called state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta a 'gay, Black (slur)' and suggested he has AIDS.