This Massachusetts Mayor Trolled Glenn Beck In Epic Fashion

Image credit to sodahead.com
Image credit to sodahead.com

Mayor Kim Driscoll of Salem, Massachusetts has shown she’s a firm advocate for LGBT equality. When Gordon College was found non-compliant with the city of Salem’s nondiscrimination ordinance, she ended a city contract with them. And when right-wing media persuaded their fans and followers to call in to her office to complain, she decided to strike back in a brilliant and compassionate way — by donating $5 to the North Shore Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth for every out-of-state call.


Mayor Driscoll may be pro-equality, but when it came to canceling the contract with Gordon College, she was just following the law. The city’s non-discrimination policy states:

“…As such, actions that may deny or tend to deny to an individual equal access or opportunity in matters of housing, employment, education, municipal services, contracts, purchasing or public accommodations on the bases of: age, ancestry, color, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, are hereby prohibited.” (PDF)

Gordon College has discriminatory behavioral policies, banning homosexual practices and telling unmarried students to remain abstinent. And in a clear misunderstanding of religious freedom, they believe they have the right to determine the morals of other people. From a statement posted to Gordon College’s website:

“Signing the letter was in keeping with our decades-old conviction that, as an explicitly Christian institution, Gordon should set the conduct expectations for members of our community. Nothing has changed in our position.”

Emphasis mine.

And, indeed, nothing has changed in their position, including the request for religious exemption from federal policies. Mayor Driscoll already addressed that, in a previous letter to Gordon College President Michael Lindsay, which reads in part:

“However, in light of the recent actions taken by you to support an exemption from federal regulations that bar employment discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation or?gender?identity, as well as current?policies at Gordon that require strict adherence to behavioral standards for students, faculty and staff that are discriminatory towards LGBT individuals, I am hereby terminating the management of the contract early, effective July 15,?

I am truly disappointed in the stance you have taken, which plainly discriminates against the rights of LGBT individuals, both on and off campus. These actions fly in the face of the City of Salem’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance, which prohibits or municipality from contracting with entities that maintain discriminatory practices. While I respect your rights to embed religious values on a private college campus, religious freedom does not afford you the right to impose those beliefs upon others and cannot be extended into a publicly owned facility or any management contract for a publicly owned facility, like Old Town Hall. “


That hasn’t stopped the flood of right-wing hatred, though, which the mayor addressed wonderfully on her public Facebook page. Here’s the letter she posted, which was sent to nAGLY:

driscoll

In other words, the hate spawned by Glenn Beck and his ilk is only going to help the cause they’re being hateful toward.


meI’m a millennial with an attitude, and I’m tired of a left wing that has stopped being willing to rise up and fight for the rights of the people. In my short career, I’ve published hundreds of articles on many topics. You can follow me on Google Plus, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or?Instagram.

I had a successful career actively working with at-risk youth, people struggling with poverty and unemployment, and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. In 2011, I made the decision to pursue my dreams and become a full-time writer. Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.