Oxford, PROMO seek apology, etc., from Cunningham
State Rep. Jeanette Mott Oxford, D-St. Louis, and PROMO — a gay rights group based in St. Louis– are criticizing state Rep. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, for her recent refusal to meet with two students because she “found their appearance very difficult to look at.”
Cunningham was turned off by the body piercings of Desiree Bain and Austyn Langston, two students from Jackson County who were at the state Capitol on March 26 to lobby for House Bill 1751, which Cunningham opposes.
The bill targets bullying in schools. According to the legislative summary, it revises the definition of ‘bullying’ to include discrimination, substantial interference with student
performance, and disruptive behavior…”
According to Oxford’s release, “Cunningham went on to tell another group of students that looking at these two young women was making her ill and that she didn’t understand why they hated themselves.”
(To get up to speed, HERE’S the original post on the encounter by Tony Messenger two weeks ago.)
The release continues: “Today legislators and PROMO, a civil rights advocacy organization focusing on sexual orientation and gender issues, called on Rep. Cunningham to:
–”1. Schedule a hearing on HB 1751 immediately.
–’2. Meet with Desiree and Austyn to learn about their experiences and publicly apologize for her hurtful words.
–”3. Register for and attend the Inclusion Institute for Educators this summer, a program sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater St. Louis. “
When we hear from Cunningham, we’ll post her reply.
(4 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Here is what I hope her response looks like:
”1. Schedule a hearing on HB 1751 immediately.
NO.
2. Meet with Desiree and Austyn to learn about their experiences and publicly apologize for her hurtful words.
IF they present themselves in a professional manner not something better suited for a San Francisco street parade MAYBE there will be a meeting. The apology will have to wait until the afterlife.
3. Register for and attend the Inclusion Institute for Educators this summer, a program sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater St. Louis.
Sorry, but that interferes with my families gun range time, maybe we can schedule that three weeks after NEVER?