The Family Research Council ran this ad in the Washington Examiner on June 29. (click to enlarge)
Just days before a respected safe schools advocate is set to begin his work at the Department of Education, a national anti-LGBT and “family values” organization has a launched an online and print advertising campaign to stop his appointment.
The Family Research Council (FRC) aims to keep Winston-Salem, N.C.-native Kevin Jennings — founder and former executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) — from taking his post as assistant deputy secretary of education for the department’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
The FRC has set up StopJennings.org, which lists quotes from past Jennings speeches and writings, including from his memoir “Mama’s Boy, Preacher’s Son,” recounts his life growing up in conservative North Carolina.
In a press release, FRC said the statements on their campaign website are “Kevin Jennings’ most outrageous quotes.” The website allows the public to send an email to the president and Congress opposing Jennings’ appointment.
The campaign included a full-page print advertisement on page three of the Washington, D.C. Examiner‘s June 29 print issue. FRC said it will also create an online advertising campaign.
Jennings takes his post on July 6. The appointment was originally decided on May 19 and publicly announced June 1. Jennings grew up right outside of Winston-Salem, in small town Lewisville, N.C. He is the son of a Baptist preacher. Jennings attended Harvard College, graduating magna cum laude, began a career as a school teacher and later founded GLSEN.
Jennings is being unfairly attacked those quotes by the way are taken out of context. But it’s not a surprise to those who know how the religious right operate.
Comment by a. mcewen — June 29, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
Heterosexuals have lost their collective MINDS.
Who treats their very own Gay & Lesbian creations in such a manner?
Ahhh, yes. The Heterosexual.
Comment by Chris — June 30, 2009 @ 11:30 am
I disagree with the comment posted above by Chris. If we, as LGBT people, jump on this bandwagon of blaming and attacking heterosexuals, a double standard will be invoked by which WE will be the prejudice ones, WE will be the hate mongers, WE will be the ones perpetuating inequality. These people will one day be old and realize their life spent promoting hate was wasted. Let’s not come to the same realization.
Comment by Will — September 21, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Its not that hes gay. Its the material and the manner in which its presented.
Comment by Deej — December 9, 2009 @ 7:26 pm