TWO Demands Removal Of Homophobic Arkansas School Board Member Who Wrote Anti-Gay Facebook Tirade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010

Contact: Wayne Besen, Executive Director
Phone: 917-691-5118

Comments By Clint McCance Are Reckless and Promote Teen Suicide, Says TWO

NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out demanded today that Midland School District in Arkansas remove Clint McCance from the school board after he launched into a vicious anti-gay tirade on Facebook. McCance’s online assault against LGBT teens was reckless and irresponsible in light of the recent bully-induced wave of suicides.

“Clint McCance is an adult bully whose reckless remarks on Facebook show he is unfit to serve on the Midland District school board,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “McCants is in dereliction of duty because his core job is to protect students and not subject them to ridicule or harm. He ought to immediately resign or be removed from his position.”

McCance’s jeremiad was in reaction to Spirit Day, which urged people to wear purple in honor of young LGBT teens who committed suicide after being bullied by peers. On his page McCance wrote:

“Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers committed suicide. 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 therselves because of their sin. REALLY PEOPLE.”

He also went on to say if he had a gay child that he would disown him or her — in the name of Christian values.

The outrageously irresponsible comments were first reported by the Human Rights Campaign. Truth Wins Out tried to contact school superintendent Dean Stanley today, but his assistant said he was out until Friday and would not be commenting before then. TWO also spoke with Midland high school principle Donna Clark, who said that she was not commenting on the controversy. Midland is 181 miles from Little Rock, Arkansas.

To move this process along, please contact the superintendent, principal and school board. Politely, but firmly, insist that McCance be removed from the board:

Superintendent: Dean Stanley:
Phone: (501)345-8844
E-mail: dstanley@midlandschools.org

High School Principal: Donna Clark
Phone: (501)345-2610
E-mail: dclark@midlandschools.org