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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Arkansas officials condemn anti-gay comments on networking site - CNN.com

Arkansas officials condemn anti-gay comments on networking site - CNN.com

Arkansas officials condemn anti-gay comments on networking site

By the CNN Wires Staff
October 27, 2010 7:38 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Arkansas education officials condemn anti-gay posts by a school board member
  • A screen grab shows anti-gay comments on the Facebook page of Clint McCance
  • The state Education Department is "dismayed," a spokeswoman says

(CNN) -- The Arkansas Department of Education has condemned anti-gay comments made by a local school board member and posted on a social networking site.

Midland School District Vice President Clint McCance wrote on his personal Facebook page that he wanted gay people to commit suicide, according to The Advocate, a newspaper focusing on gay news. McCance used the terms "queer" and "fag" repeatedly, promised to disown his own children if they were gay, and stated that he enjoys "the fact that [gay people] often give each other AIDS and die."

A strongly worded statement signed by Dean Stanley, superintendent of the Midland School District, disavowed the remarks. "The district strives to foster an environment that discourages all forms of bullying," the statement read, "and an environment that encourages a safe and productive educational