One of the most dangerous institutions when placed in the control of far right Republicans are America’s school boards. It’s where the GOP indoctrinates at a very early age America’s future into believing in creationism, choosing the Bible over the Constitution, and being anti-gay, anti-science, and anti-women.
Sadly, some radical Republicans try to extend their reach into America’s state colleges and universities as well, falsely deciding that since these public institutions of higher learning are state-funded, lawmakers should have control over the curriculum and even campus events. Tennessee state senator Stacey Campfield, who was successful in censoring a week-long sex education event by revoking its funding is one such example.
Now, enter onto that same low-information stage Republican state senator Mike Fair of South Carolina. Senator Fair has successfully censored (when the state does it — it’s definitely censorship) an event scheduled as part of the University of South Carolina’s sixth annual Bodies of Knowledge Symposium and Conference. The symposium is billed as “new normals, old normals, future normals in the LGBTQ community.”
What did the 67-year old Baptist who’s been “serving” the people in the state legislature since 1984 get canceled?
A satirical performance titled — satirically — “How To Be A Lesbian In 10 Days Or Less“:
How To Be A Lesbian in 10 Days or Less is a hilarious coming out story for queers and non-queers alike. Motivational speaker and expert lesbian Butchy McDyke deftly guides her captive audience in an exploration of self-discovery and first love, coming out, lesbian sex, queer politics, and a really important Reba McEntire song as they learn to confidently shout, “I’m a big ‘ol dyke!†Writer and performer Leigh Hendrix weaves a story that is one part instructional seminar, one part personal story, and one part wacky performance art. At turns funny and poignant, silly and earnest, How To Be A Lesbian in 10 Days or Less is the perfect guide to gay for budding lesbians, no matter their sexual orientation!
Clearly having not done any homework, Senator Fair decried the event as a “recruiting” tool for the LGBT community.
“It’s just not normal and then you glorify, or it seems to me, that the promotion at USC is a glorification of same sex orientation,” Senator Fair told WYFF. “That’s not an explanation of ‘I was born this way.’ It’s recruiting.”
WYFF notes that the cancellation of the event “follows a vote weeks ago to cut funds for a program requiring all university students to read a book about the state’s first gay radio show.”
Last month, the House voted to cut $17,146 from University of South Carolina Upstate’s budget — the exact cost of the required reading program. The book required this year, “Out Loud: The Best of Rainbow Radio,†is a collection of stories shared on South Carolina’s first gay radio show.
State lawmakers censoring programs that not only do not like but do not understand is unconscionable. It is an attack on academic freedom and the rights of the students. A public eduction is not an obligation to be taught the personal religious principles of one –or all — elected officials.
Inside Higher Ed spoke with Ryan Wilson, executive director of South Carolina Equality, who “said that he viewed legislative pressure on colleges as a serious threat. ‘Any efforts by the legislators to suppress academic freedom or programs on campus is wrong,’ he said. ‘If they do this on one topic, what is to stop them from doing it with others?'”
“Legislators should not be meddling in this way,” he added. “I think it is horrible that the university is forced to censor any program.”
Â
//www.youtube.com/embed/9z9t42SczZk
Hat tip: Right Wing Watch and Gawker