Today, Talking Points Memo gave a wider view to the entire situation. It's a good read but my favorite part is the ending where GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) head Eliza Byard gave a strong response to Focus on the Family. Her words should be a directive in how we answer the lies of the religious right. No flowery language, no automatically pushing the "bigot" card but shooting straight from the shoulder:
Focus on the Family has tried to discredit GLSEN's efforts to make schools safe for all students since our founding in 1990. These most recent attempts show that, once again, Focus on the Family either doesn't know what it is talking about or simply don't care about addressing bullying, or both. The policies we support - which, by the way, include protections for bullying based on religion - have been shown by years of research to make a difference in young people's lives. That is why nearly 70 national education, youth service and civil and human rights organizations endorse the Safe Schools Improvement Act. In terms of LGBT youth, we certainly hope that Focus on the Family agrees that the current environment in which nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students experience harassment each year in school is simply unacceptable. But we won't hold our breath.
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