Sheaffer's wrong. All they have to do is file the charge based on their own belief. To CONVICT him, they have to prove it.
They know they cannot prove Zim was motivated by hatred. I reckon they were hearing thru rear channels (if you’ll excuse my French) that the gay prez stuff wasn’t blowing over (again, sorry) too well and they’d better get their constituency excited abt backing them again. This might be primarily for show, and a hail marry for some good old fashion social engineering change— marxist style. Crisis not wasted and all that.