Sorry Clint McCance...Apology Unaccepted

Arkansas school board member, Clint McCance, put out a statement today expressing his intent on resigning from his position, and rightfully so. Most of you who read my blog can tell that I'm a big supporter of our Constitutional rights, especially the freedom of speech, but some of the outrageous posts published on Mr. McCance's Facebook is not the type of speech that is meant to be protected. I consider them more on the side of hate speech. Some of his comments were:

"Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers killed themselves. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed thereselves because of their sin. REALLY PEOPLE."

"No because being a fag doesn't give you the right to ruin the rest of our lives. If you get easily offended by being called a fag then dont tell anyone you are a fag. Keep that shit to yourself. I dont care how people decide to live their lives. They dont bother me if they keep it to thereselves. It pisses me off though that we make a special purple fag day for them. I like that fags cant procreate. I also enjoy the fact that they often give each other aids and die. If you arent against it, you might as well be for it."

"I would disown my kids they were gay. They will not be welcome at my home or in my vicinity. I will absolutely run them off. Of course my kids will know better. My kids will have solid christian beliefs. See it infects everyone."

The last comment falls into the realm of acceptable speech. Sure Mr. McCance may still have been fired for it because we have employment-at-will in the U.S., but the comment itself falls more into the category of a close-minded opinion from an ignorant person. The first two comments, however, are potentially dangerous. They express support for the suicide of queer people and the death of queer people from AIDS. These kinds of hateful words could encourage violence by anti-queer individuals ("yea, he's right they should all die") and suicide from queer youth ("wow, even this guy my own school board is telling me that queer people should die"). Mr. McCance's actions were flat-out wrong and I'm glad to know that he will no longer be in a position of influence in regards to educating our youth.

Accompanying his resignation was an apology. He claimed, "I would never support suicide for any kids...All I can do now is extend my apologies for my poor speech...I give everyone a chance and try to love everyone." Forgive me, Mr. McCance, if I don't necessarily believe you. But please, I invite you to prove me wrong. Right now, I don't see how someone who doesn't support suicide, someone who is so loving, could ever write those atrocious posts. And there is surely more that you can do. How about trying to further educate yourself about queer issues? You say you give everyone a chance - PROVE IT