Stacey Campfield's ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Now Requires Teachers To Out Students

I am not a fan of Tennessee legislator Stacey Campfield--even though I've posted about him HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE--because he comes off as delusional, homophobic, bigoted, possibly self-loathing, and, well, stupid. He is, after the man who doesn't want teachers in Tennessee to say the word 'gay' lest a child hear and suddenly decide, you know, to turn gay. He also uttered this incredible line:

"Most people realize that AIDS came from the homosexual community. It was one guy screwing a monkey, if I recall correctly, and then having sex with men. It was an airline pilot, if I recall."

He also believes straight people cannot contract HIV.

Yeah, like I said, stupid.

Well, even though the Stacey Campfield sponsored 'Don't Say Gay' bill died with the adjournment of the Tennessee state assembly last year, the measure has reared its ugly head again, with a new twist.

The bill, SB 234, still bars Tennessee teachers from discussing any facet of “non-heterosexual” sexuality with children in grades K-, but its newest wrinkle also includes a provision that requires teachers or counselors to inform the parents of some students who identify themselves as LGBT. 

Yes, teachers in Tennessee will be required to out students. Though how they do it without saying gay ......

 Campfield says this new provision helps students who might be "at risk" of The Gay, but then he lets the teacher/counselor decide if the student deserves to have his or her privacy violated:

The general assembly recognizes that certain subjects are particularly sensitive and are, therefore, best explained and discussed within the home. Because of its complex societal, scientific, psychological, and historical implications, human sexuality is one such subject. Human sexuality is best understood by children with sufficient maturity to grasp its complexity and implications [...]

A school counselor, nurse, principal or assistant principal from counseling a student who is engaging in, or who may be at risk of engaging in, behavior injurious to the physical or mental health and well-being of the student or another person; provided, that wherever possible such counseling shall be done in consultation with the student’s parents or legal guardians. Parents or legal guardians of students who receive such counseling shall be notified as soon as practicable that such counseling has occurred

So, they'll be forced to out students who may, or may not, be ready to face that possibility.

Or face the idea that their families might reject them for being gay.

Or face the idea that, once word gets out that teacher outed Billy or Cindy, maybe Billy or Cindy might become the target of bullies and end up attempting suicide.

Yes, let's first not say 'gay' in Tennessee schools because it';s such a horrible thing, but then let's say 'gay' loud and clear to the parents of students who might be the L, or the G, or the B, or the T, or the Q, and see what happens.

Like I said, Stacey Campfield is a hateful, stupid man who needs to find a job where he doesn't have a forum to spread his own brand of, possibly self-loathing,  homophobia.

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