The director of Outfront Minnesota praised Tim Walz's allyship, the aide of Jersey City's mayor was fired for making an anti-LGBTQ donation, and schools in Oklahoma refuse to teach the bible.
LGBTQ Org Director Praises Walz’s Allyship
Vice President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, prompting praise from prominent LGBTQ figures, according to The Advocate.
Kat Rohn, executive director of LGBTQ organization Outfront Minnesota, said Walz has been a “consistent advocate” for the community.
"As a former teacher, he's always seen LGBTQ+ rights through the lens of welcoming everyone in the classroom," Rohn said. “This approach extends to his governance, where he believes in the value and dignity of every individual, regardless of their identity.”
Walz’s advocacy has a storied history, from serving as a founding advisor for his school’s Gay-Straight Alliance in 1999 to signing an executive order banning conversion therapy in 2021.
Mayor’s Aide Fired for Anti-LGBTQ Donation
Jonathan David Gomez Noriega. Photo via X (formerly Twitter).
Jonathan Gomez, an aide who worked closely with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, was fired after donating to his sister’s campaign.
Gomez’s sister, who is running for office in Missouri, has publicly condemned the LGBTQ community, according to News12.
Gomez served on the Jersey City LGBTQ Task Force, leading to confusion from the public and Fulop about his decision.
“He knows my wife, he’s been to my house probably 30 times, and it’s inconsistent with what I’ve known his moral compass to be,” Fulop said.
Gomez’s sister took to social media to condemn the mayor for firing her brother, stating, “you sound like a dictator.”
Schools Refuse Order to Teach the Bible
Photo via Unsplash.
Numerous Oklahoma school districts said they won’t comply with a recent order from Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ directive requiring them to teach the Bible and the Ten Commandments, according to LGBTQ Nation.
Many districts claimed Walters’ order violates state laws. Joseph Prince, a parent of a student in Mayes County, filed a lawsuit against the order, claiming it goes against the separation of church and state.
Walters said any district that doesn’t follow the directive will be held accountable.
“Some of our worst acting districts [have] come out and say they are not going to teach history,” Walters said. “They said they are not going to teach the Bible because they don’t want that. Just because they are offended by it doesn’t mean they won’t do it. We will enforce the law, and they will be held accountable.”
The Bible, which Notre Dame University said isn’t an authoritative history text, contains themes of “incest, [masturbation], bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, fellatio, dildos, rape, and even infanticide,” a parent pointed out in March.
