I guess Student's First couldn't find a Klansman to call Reformer of the Year so they chose the next
best thing. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-wooledge/studentsfirst-selects-aut_b_3169982.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices
StudentsFirst, a very prominent and controversial educational political action group named Tennessee House Representative John Ragan as the state's "educational Reformer of the Year" who "stands up for the kids of Tennessee" and "has also been a leading advocate for change."
I guess it's enough that the only kids Ragan supposedly stands up for are the heterosexual kids.
It turns out the honoree is the co-author and introductory sponsor of the latest permutation of the notorious Tennessee "Don't Say Gay" bill. The latest version would have forced select Tennessee school officials to notify parents of children who privately discussed their sexual orientation, essentially dictating forced "outing" of kids, even against their own objections.
Ragan's proposed education bill is more than just ignorant and wrong, and bad policy, it's downright dangerous and does anything but "put students first," said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee. "It's inexcusable to make counseling professionals out LGBT or questioning young people to family members, when all too many parents physically abuse their LGBT children, force them into quack 'reparative therapy' programs, or kick them out of their homes. This disgraceful bill pays lip service to student safety, but in reality it puts vulnerable young people at terrible risk."
Eric Lerum, StudentsFirst's VP of national policy offered some responses to angry backlash on Twitter Friday night, claiming they were unaware of John Ragan's anti-gay history and "We wouldn't have endorsed had we known." He alluded Ragan's selection was a candidate vetting snafu.
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It is beyond time to recognize that Michelle Rhee is a right wing enabler. The man they chose to honor is literally the most famous gay bashing legislator in the entire nation.
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