# State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta calls for Rep. Bernstine resignation

> State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta demands Rep. Aaron Bernstine resign after reportedly using anti-gay slur.
- Title: State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta calls for Rep. Bernstine…
- Summary: State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta demands Rep. Aaron Bernstine resign after reportedly using anti-gay slur. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta called for Rep. Aaron…
- Keywords: malcolm kenyatta, aaron bernstine, pennsylvania house, lgbtq equality caucus, political attack, anti-gay slur, resignation, news, local, State, Rep, Malcolm
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/malcolm-kenyatta-aaron-bernstine-resign-anti-gay-slur
- Published: 2026-10-02T18:56:30.204+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: malcolm kenyatta, aaron bernstine, pennsylvania house, lgbtq equality caucus, political attack, anti-gay slur, resignation, news, local
## State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta calls for resignation
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-181) urges Rep. Aaron Bernstine to resign after reportedly using an anti-gay slur at a Harrisburg bar on Tuesday.
## Bernstine denies remarks
Rep. Aaron Bernstine denies making the remarks, calling the accusations a 'political attack' by a labor union.
## Kenyatta's Instagram statement
Kenyatta said his call for resignation is not about anger or hurt feelings but because Bernstine's behavior falls 'so far beneath what it must mean to be a member of the House of Representatives.'
## PennLive report details
PennLive reported Bernstine called Kenyatta a 'gay, Black (slur)' and falsely suggested he lost weight due to AIDS during a Democratic fundraiser at McGrath's Pub.
## Verbal confrontation
Michael Ford, secretary/treasurer of Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, said Bernstine made remarks during a verbal confrontation with Ford and Robert Bair.
## Bernstine's response
Bernstine told KDKA Newsradio the accusations were a 'political attack' by the labor union that left out 'key details' from the argument.
## Supporting lawmakers
State Reps. Napoleon Nelson, Jessica Benham, and Ismail Smith-Wade-El called for Bernstine's resignation, stating his comments made him unfit to serve.
## Bernstine's silence
Bernstine did not immediately return a request for comment on calls for his resignation.
## Consequence
Kenyatta's call for resignation follows Bernstine's alleged use of anti-gay slur, which lawmakers say makes him unfit to serve in the Pennsylvania House.
## Key takeaway

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta called for Rep. Aaron Bernstine's resignation after Bernstine allegedly used an anti-gay slur at a Harrisburg bar.