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County Commissioner Speaks Out Against Day Of Silence In Schools

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By MIKE SALINERO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 9, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair said he doesn't condone bullying, but he also doesn't think an effort to stop harassment and name-calling of gay and lesbian students deserves special attention.

In an e-mail sent out to supporters, Blair urged parents to voice their opposition to the April 25 Day of Silence, an event held in schools meant to stop bullying and harassment of gay and lesbian students.

Blair, a Republican running for re-election, said students of all sexual orientations are bullied, and singling out homosexual students gives them a platform to "promote their social and sexual agenda."

"You pray for the people who died in Iraq, but we don't ask what sex they were," Blair said.

Democrat Kevin Beckner, an openly gay candidate who is challenging Blair's re-election bid, accused the commissioner of exploiting the issue for electoral gain.

"I do think he's using this to appeal to his base," Beck- ner said. "We've got these real problems - problems with transportation, we've got growth issues that we're dealing with - but he's focusing on these social wedge issues."

The Day of Silence is a national event sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which bills itself as an educational organization focused on safety for all students.

Students who participate are supposed to take some form of a vow of silence to bring attention to harassment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students. This year the day is dedicated to Lawrence King, a 15-year-old California student who was shot and killed because of his sexual orientation.

Blair, who was chaplain to the county commission for several years and led the board in prayer before every meeting, said he is not prejudiced against gays. He said his stand against the Day of Silence is about treating everyone equally.

"I have friends that are gay," Blair said. "I don't judge somebody or look at somebody because of their sexual orientation or their race or minority status. I think everybody is created equal."

The Hillsborough County School Board has no policy for or against Day of Silence, schools spokesman Stephen Hegarty said. He said students are free to observe the day or not.

"Having students be silent is not really a problem," Hegarty said. "The important thing - and I think Commissioner Blair knows this - this is not something that the school district or the school board is promoting."

In Hillsborough County, the only reported altercation surrounding the event happened three years ago at Bloomingdale High School, where supporters with signs triggered a counter protest by other students. Hegarty said he knows of no problems since then.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303 or msalinero@tampatrib.com.

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