Kevin Jennings Is Highly Qualified for His Job

Kevin Jennings is an Assistant Deputy Secretary in the Department of Education and he runs the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. His credentials and his commitment to student safety are impeccable.

Anyone who tells you that Kevin Jennings is not qualified for his job:

1. Is a big ol' homophobe
2. Is not looking after the best interests of students in America
3. Is looking out for the interests of a party working to position President Obama's support for gay equality as something other than personal commitment to social justice and his efforts to create a more perfect union
4. Is part of an effort to fire someone based on his sexual orientation.

Shame on the 53 Republican Congressmen who have signed a letter asking for Kevin Jennings' head on a silver platter. They have started a witch hunt. Van Jones was first. Now Kevin Jennings. I'm sure there is a list.

There. I've said it. For those of you who read my posts here, you know me to be fairly measured in my points of view. Today I don't feel measured.

I am mad. But I am going to take a deep breath and step back.

OK. The vast majority of Americans don't really believe that there are 29 states in which a gay or lesbian person can be fired no questions asked simply because of their sexual orientation (or perceived sexual orientation). This is why the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is so important.

And let's not forget the U.S. military. You get fired there too if they find out you are gay. It used to be that the military could hunt you out - now it is a kinder, gentler hunt. They call it "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

So let's just call it out for what it is. 53 Republican members of Congress are trying to get Kevin Jennings fired based on his sexual orientation. And that should enrage everyone regardless of their sexual orientation.

Kevin Jennings is highly qualified for this position. For twenty years, his work has been about the safety of kids in schools. He is hard wired as an advocate for those who are bullied - because they are gay, because they are perceived to be gay, because they are other, because they are perceived to be less than. Because they listen to kids use the word "gay" as a pejorative on the playground and feel threatened. Because for whatever reason, the kids who are bullied are second-class citizens in what can be a very rough neighborhood. And how easy is it to connect the dots between low self-esteem and drug abuse.

And you don't have to take my word for it. You could take a look at the very long list of education organizations that threw their support behind Kevin for this appointment - The National Association of School Psychologists, Learning First Alliance, National Education Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals, The Council for Exception Children and the Social Workers Association of America.

And oh, by the way, did the New York Times reach out to a single one of these education experts at the organizations listed above for any balance in its story this morning. I'll save you the trouble. No they did not.

Kevin Jennings and the leaders of these organizations endorsed Kevin have something in common. They care about the well being of kids.

Therein lies the difference. The 53 Republicans say they care about kids. But they care about politics. They care about creating a witch hunt because they have so very few other cards to play.

It's wrong. And it's scary. Witch hunts have a long rich history here in America and around the globe. A very ugly history.

Here's a list of the 53 members of Congress who have called for Kevin's resignation. Maybe it's time for us to do some calling.

Follow Joan Garry on Twitter: www.twitter.com/joanmgarry

Comments

[BeeOplentee]

The man does not belong anywhere NEAR a child! Can't you all SEE this?

[KarenT]

No...please enlighten us.

[MoodIndigo]

no

[MJinCanada]

The vast majority of child molesters are heterosexual.

There are more right-wing pastors than homosexuals with something nasty to hide.

[Gidster]

The facts do not support that......

[YoniBeever]

Oh, c'mon! This guy has been found out and is an albatross around Obama's neck!

[MoodIndigo]

good luck with that

[Gidster]

Found out what? That he's gay?

Grow up.

[captain dave]

Kevin Jennings is being targeted because he doesn't represent the values of the majority of the populace in America.

He will also be thrown under the bus by Obama because now that he has been exposed for what he is, Obama will not defend him just like Van Jones.

Is there a targeted list-I sure hope so.

And stop playing the gay card-it is just as tiresome as the race card.

There, I said it too.

[purplesax]

Kevin is being attacked because he is gay. Period. He has no evil associations. His words have been taken out of context. His life's work has been to make schools safe for all children regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The opposition believes that if they attack him long enough, they will get rid of the gay guy. Mr. Jennings' detractors are painting him with an evil, distorted brush. None of the accusations are true. But the bullies are out in force. Several of you here have already fallen victim to their odious lines of attack. Kevin Jennings is an honorable man. He is a highly qualified professional. And yes, he is gay.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

There's certainly a reason the republican'ts have become know as a party of ONLY hypocrisy, bigotry and hate...

They've EARNED it!

[PlaceboStudman]

Can somebody please tell me WTF this so-called "Gay agenda" is? Because somebody forgot to CC me the memo and I've never heard of such a thing, and if there is one, I wanna be a part of it! :-D

[Gidster]

I am sure there is a complete breakdown of "The Gay Agenda" on any number of ultra right wing web sites.....

They are just crazy about that stuff!!! ;)

[LyssaBarnes]

Enough with the homophobia already. A person's sexual orientation is no indication of job performance. A homosexual does not a pedophile make. Really, if conservatives can't find a reason beyond baseless fear to oppose a person, they need to get out of the way. Please America, vote these people out of office. Demand that those in the judicial system who judge people based on these ridiculous values be removed. Stand up and say no with one voice.

[MarkInEugene]

Joan you should be mad! For years I've listened to people in positions of authority spew their homophobic BS and many of them today still feel very comfortable ostracizing or ridiculing LGBT Americans.

We have to stand up to the status quo and say basically "What's your problem?" or "Where have you been the last 20 years?" and make them feel like the outcast for a change. They need to feel the same oppressive shxt they've been shoveling at us! And I think its wholly appropriate in this day and age to call them on their bigotry! I hate to get in their gutter, but they've left us no choice!

I make no apologies anymore to people that. That kind of behavior is ignorant, unconscious, illogical and uncivilized. There's no place for it in 21st century America. And it does absolutely nothing to help advance the state of cultural sophistication and understanding of the human condition.

[den1953]

It is time for the political GOP witch hunts stop someone in the Administration needs to put these people in there place this man has done no harm to anyone. Where is the homophobic outcry about certain Senators in the Congress and Senate should they loss there jobs to if thats the case half the Republican Party would have to go!

[medicinecat]

I don't want him to lose his job, but if the bigots succeed in ousting him he can always go back for another winning streak on Jeopardy. Wait a minute, that was Ken Jennings, not Kevin Jennings..­......neve­r mind.

[BringmeReason]

Yes indeed it is quite fascinating that 53 Repubs would try to draft a petition to remover Mr. Jennings, an opening gay councilor for students, from his position. Of course it makes sense, that they would only be interested in the well-being of students and would never really have an alternative agenda such as preventing any further Gay-friendly environment in this country or allowing Obama the right to choose candidates that would actually educate our society, such as Van Jones who resigned because of such smear tactics.

It is also very interesting that when such politicians such as Gov. Sanford who took it upon himself to abandon his state in order to peruse an escalated affair, even though he was marriage, leaving his wife, kids and state to wonder his whereabouts for at least one week. Of course when everything was brought into the open, Repubs merely gave him a slap on the wrist. Now that it comes to a gay school councilor lecturing preventive safety advise to children, apparently the Apocalypse has fallen upon us, because all these republicans seem to be throwing the bible at him. Well I suppose it's a little more than hypocritical. Unfortunately we haven't grown much as a nation, at least not by the politicians we elect to dictate and interpret laws for us.

[Raster]

Of course, Rethugs are anti-LGBT from the get-go.

[Pablo175]

The letter seems well written. Are the allegations correct?

[YoniBeever]

They are indeed.

[MoodIndigo]

prove it

[studioh!]

We know how the Republicans care about kids - just ask Mark Foley and any number of other "closeted homophobes" in their ranks. (Now that's a real oxymoron). Methinks they doth protest a wee too much.
Can you spell h-y-p-o-c-r-i-t ?

[gotborked]

You can spin history and vilify the opposition all you want, but the facts remain...his conduct, his associations, and his words show that he has serious issues when it comes to parental rights and child safety.

He is not fit for this position.

[mommaserene]

Prove it.

[MoodIndigo]

ah yes facts, like the fact that:

The National Association of School Psychologists,
Learning First Alliance, National Education Association,
National Association of Secondary School Principals,
The Council for Exception Children and the Social Workers Association of America.

all endorse him!!!

oh yes..... and associations - like the Obama Bill Ayers association.

were you fot for your position when you gotborked?

Get real

[T2inDC]

Your doing the spinning.