UNION TOWNSHIP, N.J. – School officials in Union Township are investigating the alleged anti-LGBT rant of New Jersey high school teacher Viki Knox. Knox, a teacher at Union High School, posted a slew of homophobic and transphobic remarks on her public Facebook wall after she saw a bulletin board celebrating LGBT History Month in her school’s hallway.
Posts on Knox’s Facebook wall included the statements, “Homosexuality is a perverted spirit that has existed from the beginning of creation … how they live and their actions, behaviors – CHOICES are against the nature and character of God! … I know sin and it breeds like cancer!”
This was followed by, “Why parade your unnatural immoral behaviors before the rest of us? AND YOU ARE WRONG! I/WE DO NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT ANYTHING, ANYONE. ANY BEHAVIOR OR ANY CHOICES! I DO NOT HAVE TO TOLERATE ANYTHING OTHERS WISH TO DO.”
The New Jersey Star Ledger reported a local attorney, who said he had initially been contacted by a parent, wrote to the district calling for the teacher’s dismissal.
The lawyer, John Paragano, a former township councilman wrote, “Hateful public comments from a teacher cannot be tolerated. She has a right to say it. But she does not have a right to keep her job after saying it.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey released a statement defending Knox’s First Amendment right to make the comments.
“Although we do not agree with the sentiments expressed on Ms. Knox’s personal Facebook page, her comments are protected by the First Amendment,” stated Ed Barocas, the group’s legal director. “The ACLU believes that the response to offensive speech is not the restriction of speech, but more speech.”
Barocas added, “The school has the right to investigate whether she is performing her job in accordance with school policies and the state’s Law Against Discrimination.”
HRC President Joe Solmonese said, “Viki Knox’s remarks are shocking to hear from an educator charged with serving as a role model for all students – regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Educators have a responsibility to nurture their students as they develop into young adults – and that includes making sure they feel supported and know that there is nothing wrong with being LGBT. Her alleged public rant is irresponsible and sends a dangerous message to her students.”
Knox has not responded to requests for comment.
