We expected liberal appointments to executive positions in an Obama administration, but it was still startling to learn that Education Secretary
Arne Duncan had actually appointed Kevin Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), to be Assistant Deputy
Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools.
GLSEN is the chief national advocacy group promoting policies to force affirmation of
homosexuality in schools, beginning in kindergarten. Jennings wrote the foreword for a book, “Queering Elementary Education,” which among
other things praises teaching masturbation to a 7-year-old girl. He has spoken publicly about a high school student he once counseled who was in a
sexual relationship with an older man—yet Jennings never reported this abuse to the authorities, the school, or the child’s parents.
GLSEN makes
much of eliminating name-calling and bullying toward students believed to be homosexual—but Jennings does not set a very good example in how he
treats those who disagree with him. In a speech in a New York church in 2000, he declared, “We have to quit being afraid of the religious right. . . .
I’m trying not to say, ‘[F—] ’em!’ which is what I want to say, because I don’t care what they think! [audience laughter] Drop dead!” This is
completely inconsistent with the tone President Obama has said he wants to set, and Jennings’ appointment should be withdrawn.
Tony Perkins heads the Family Research Council. This article was excerpted from the Washington Update that he compiles for the FRC.
