Clint McCance—the controversial Midland School District ( Ark. ) school board member who said on his Facebook page that all gays should commit suicide—said that he will quit his position while on CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper's show AC360, according to Advocate.com .
Responding to a request to wear purple on Oct. 20 ( Spirit Day ) to support LGBT youth, McCance posted, "Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers killed themselves. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed thereselves [ sic ] because of their sin. REALLY PEOPLE."
The Advocate accessed the post as a forwarded screen capture. McCance's Facebook page has apparently been taken down.
The response from the LGBTA community was swift. Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said, "Clint McCance has put a face on the hate that devastates our young people. McCance shouldn't be allowed near children, let alone managing their education. We call for his immediate resignation from the school board." Moreover, a Facebook page entitled "Fire Clint McCance" had more than 64,000 people liking it as of Oct. 29.
While on the CNN show, McCance told Cooper, "I made some very ignorant comments—did not realize just how ignorant they were. ... I would never support suicide of any kids. I don't support bullying of any kids," according to a video on CNN.com . While apologizing, he called his postings "over the top" and said he "went too far."
He said later, "I am going to resign from the school board. It is to help my community, to help my school. I don't want them to receive bad press or have a distraction because of some ignorant comment I make." He did add that if constituents want him to run for the post again a few years from now, he will.
In response to McCance's decision to step down, Solmonese released a statement saying, "Clint McCance's decision to resign from the school board is a step forward for the community he represents. We are hopeful the wounds that were inflicted will soon be healed. What remains troubling is that Mr. McCance focused his regret on particular word choices not the animus behind those words. We hope he will take this time to reflect not only on the language he used but on what he can do to make the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people better."
