The Hate-Straight Alliance.

From today’s Harrisonburg (VA) Daily News Record (“Gay And Straight Alliance Supporters Speak Out At Meeting“)

About 50 people demonstrated their support for the newly formed Gay and Straight Alliance at Harrisonburg High School on Tuesday.

The supporters spoke during the public comment session of the first School Board meeting since John Elledge, a Harrisonburg resident and chairman of the city’s Republican party, denounced the group’s formation.

Two weeks ago, Elledge publicly urged the school board to reverse principal Irene Reynolds’ decision to allow the club on campus. He also encouraged residents to speak out against the club.

“Please, won’t somebody hate the children? We must let these 14-year-olds know that they are evil!”

The proposed Gay and Straight Alliance has its detractors, too. Dean Welty, director of the Valley Family Forum, disagreed with much of what the club’s supporters said.

Welty denied any link between attacks on gays and suicide. In the Netherlands, for example, the society is very open and accepting of gays — and yet the suicide rate there is about the same as in the United States, he said.

Uh. Right. You rocket scientist, you. See, the— Oh, jeez, nevermind.

The school has a mission to protect its students, but a gay group sends the wrong message, Welty said.

“For a public school to endorse a club that is overtly sexual by its very nature,” Welty said, “will the school board be obligated to accept ‘fornicators and abstainers’?”

Rule #1 of dealing with religious extremists: Once the word “fornicators” is used by your opponent, you automatically win.

Oh, and Welty? Yes, the school is obliged to provide an education to students, regardless of whether or not they have sex or don’t.

Dick.

Published by Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith (JAKE-with) is an open government technologist who lives near Char­lottes­­ville, VA, USA. more »