Dem legislator Rodriguez praises porn accounts on his personal Twitter

A Democratic state legislator often likes or comments on pornographic images on his personal Twitter account, which he said he doesn’t see as any different than using social media to opine on various other issues.

Rep. Diego Rodriguez, D-Phoenix, follows pornographic accounts, frequently liking and sometimes responding to images they tweet. In one recent tweet with a nude woman bending over and displaying her genitals, Rodriguez replied, “This pic is Hall of Fame.” On another showing a topless woman, he responded, “AND THAT IS HOW IT IS DONE!”

Most of Rodriguez’s activity on the account, which is separate from his legislative Twitter account, pertains to other matters, such as politics, news, social issues and sports. Rodriguez said he doesn’t see his Twitter activity as a big deal. He noted that it’s on his personal account, @DRod3897, not his legislative account, @Diego4Justice, and said he doesn’t tweet out pornographic images himself.

“It’s like replying to someone who posts a clever joke or someone who posts an interesting story about your favorite sports team. People respond to what interests them or what they feel they have something to say,” he said. “I think there’s value when people can be themselves and be their genuine self.”

Rodriguez said he doesn’t think his Twitter activity sets a bad example. Some people “come from the perspective that human sexuality is something people should be ashamed of,” he said, while others believe human sexuality is normal. He said he’s not inviting anyone to view pornography, and anyone who’s offended by it can use their settings to ensure they don’t have to see it on Twitter.

Rodriguez said it’s a sign of progress that people can be open and honest about who they are. Oftentimes, he said, people have public facades that are very different from who they are in private. He noted that President Donald Trump is supported by many religious conservatives, despite accusations from porn actress Stormy Daniels that the two had an extramarital affair. The president denies having a sexual relationship with Daniels, though his former attorney, Michael Cohen, has admitted paying her $130,000 for her silence on the alleged affair.

“How many examples do we have of people who have one facade in public and another in private, and then the whole thing falls completely apart, starting with the top now, right?” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez was just elected to this second term in the Arizona House of Representatives. He represents Districts 27, which covers south Phoenix and Laveen.