FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 19, 2011
HRC Applauds Christie for Speaking Out and
Supporting Investigation into Viki Knox’s Anti-LGBT Outburts
WASHINGTON- The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s
largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights
organization, commends New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for speaking out
against the public anti-LGBT Facebook and Twitter
rants of Union High School teacher Viki Knox. The Governor made the remarks the
morning after HRC joined Garden State Equality at a Union Township School Board
meeting and delivered
the signatures of more than 75,000 HRC members and supporters calling for
immediate action to be taken against Knox. Last week, HRC called
on Governor Christie to denounce Knox’s remarks and sent a letter to the
state’s Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf urging him to open an
investigation.
“We applaud Governor Christie for doing the right thing
and speaking out against the anti-LGBT vitriol this teacher chose to bring into
the classroom,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Governor Christie’s
denouncement sends a very strong message that intentionally and publicly
spreading malicious rhetoric and falsehoods about LGBT Americans is
unacceptable and cannot go ignored. Now, Union Township school officials must
take action that adequately addresses the severity of Ms. Knox’s behavior.”
According to the New
Jersey Star-Ledger, Governor Christie said of Knox’s remarks
this morning on 770 WABC Radio: “I think that kind of example is not a positive
one at all to be setting for folks who have such an important and influential
position in our society. I'm really concerned about those kinds of statements
being made.” Christie went on to say he would “like to see an examination of
how that teacher conducts herself in the classroom.”
The Union Township School Board has opened an
investigation into Knox’s behavior, but has yet to reach a decision. In the
meantime, Knox is on leave from her position at Union High School. Members and
supporters can join HRC in
keeping the pressure on the board to take immediate action. Knox’s husband
has said she
stands by her anti-LGBT views.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s
largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to
end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves
fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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