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Who Sent Homophobic Mailer to Georgia Voters?

Who Sent Homophobic Mailer to Georgia Voters?

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lucasgrindley

No one knows -- or, at least, admits to knowing -- who sent a mailer that says a Georgia candidate can't be trusted around children because she once made a supportive statement about kids who struggle with their gender identity.

"Would you trust someone like this with your children?" it asks of Atlanta School Board candidate Angela Brown. "She says she wants Atlanta School children to cross-dress!"

The mailer, a copy of which was found and posted by Project Q Atlanta, refers to an interview with Atlanta Progressive News during which Brown was asked whether she'd support a male student who wanted to wear a dress to school.

"I had pink hair with a long earring and a short earring, my mom allowed me to do it," she said. "When it violates school policy, we have to adhere to the school policy. But whether it's pink hair or gender bending on issues of dressing, I am definitively supportive of students doing that."

Her challenger in the runoff, to be held Tuesday, vehemently denied any involvement in the flier's distribution, according to the Georgia Voice.

Byron Amos called a news conference to rebut the assumption his campaign was responsible, saying he was "appalled" to be associated with it. "That has not been the character of this candidate nor the character of this campaign since day one," he said.

Georgia Equality officials had suspected Amos of being behind the mailer, and they have reported a round of phone calls on the subject as well. They weren't much satisfied by Amos's response.

"Not much of an explanation -- or an apology -- especially considering the stigmatizing affect the mailer and phone calls have on young people who may be struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity," they wrote on Facebook. "Someone is spending significant dollars to attack LGBT youth. It is shameful that this is happening in Atlanta."

But Amos did nod in agreement as Dwanda Farmer, a former candidate who has endorsed Amos, made sure to strike an LGBT-supportive tone.

"On today, being National AIDS Day, we would like to recognize our friends who may have an alternative lifestyle. We don't even consider it alternative, it's normal," she said, according to video from the Georgia Voice. "And if you can't be who you are in Atlanta and you are a homosexual, it's wrong. It's OK to be whoever you are right here in the city of Atlanta. All people equal. That's who we are as a community, so we resent the mailer as much as anybody else in your community might."

lucasgrindley
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Lucas Grindley

Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.
Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.