Quote of the Day: Common Core will turn “every one of your children” gay

Clearly, I’m not reading enough conservative media because somehow I missed the memo that the Common Core educational standards are actually an evil socialist plot to turn American into Nazi Germany. The latest dire prediction from the right wing comes from Florida State Rep. Charles Van Zant, who warns that the organization implementing the standards in the state has a secret agenda to turn children gay. 

“Please go on their website, click the link to what they’re doing with youth, and you will see what their agenda really is. They are promoting as hard as they can any youth that is interested in the LGBT agenda… These people, that will now receive $220 million from the state of Florida unless this is stopped, will promote double-mindedness in state education and attract every one of your children to become as homosexual as they possibly can. I’m sorry to report that to you.”

Every last one! Zant’s reference to “double-mindedness” is apparently about services and resources for two-spirit youth. I’m very curious to know how Zant thinks the US education system has such power to shape kids’ sexual orientations and gender identities, given how much it struggles to even ensure that all students learn basic English and math skills.

(h/t ThinkProgress)

Maya Dusenbery is an Executive Director of Feministing.