Meet conspiracy theorist/Republican State Rep. Charles Van Zant of Florida. The paranoid lawmaker believes new standardized tests in the Sunshine State are a secret ploy devised by gay people to turn students “as homosexual as they possibly can,” Think Progress reports.
American Institutes for Research, a non-profit group based out of Washington D.C., recently won the right to design Florida’s standardized tests, and Van Zant is not happy about it. New video has been obtained that features the paranoid lawmaker speaking at an education conference in March, where he warned audience members:
“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!”
After dropping that bomb, he somberly apologized to to the crowd for bearing such terrible, terrible news. “I really hate to bring you that news,” he said, “but you need to know.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Educators and lawmakers, however, beg to differ.
“I think he’s way out there,” Andrew Sparr, president of the teacher’s union, told Florida’s News 13. “[H]e’s criticizing a test that hasn’t been developed yet.”
“Those comments are definitely out of line,” State Rep. Dwayne Taylor added.
“Can a test sway children towards homosexuality?” said Sparr. “I think it’s ridiculous to think that it could.”
But Van Zant is sticking by his comments. He recently released a statement that said, in part:
If you just go look on their website, AIR.org, you see that they’re very much in support and say on their website that they’re supportive and provide all sorts of research data and things regarding the LGBT agenda, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender agenda. I don’t believe that that has any place being introduced into Florida’s schools.
Check out video of Van Zant vomiting his paranoia below.
jckfmsincty
I think a person really has to try to be this stupid.
mcflyer54
Maybe he’s just been out in the Florida sun a bit too long. Seems like he’s about two sandwiches short of a picnic.
Chris Vogel
It is because he is a Republican, and that is because he is a religious conservative. Consequently, he is not merely stupid, but also malicious, vain, arrogant, and wilfully ignorant. To able to be like that–to say or do any ugly dingbat thing and demand that everyone else has to “respect” it is why people are religious conservatives and, increasingly, Republicans.
gayspud-1
hes a very dangerous person who promotes bigotry and hatred he needs a break away from public office .
manxxxx
I’ll bet he’s the type of person who will swear up and down that he did not do any mind-altering drugs during the 60s. If he didn’t? Well, then he’s one weird fool.
jmmartin
How interesting: “as homosexual as possible.” Is that anything like adding dye to white chocolate to turn it into dark chocolate? Turning water into wine? I think this fellow has spent too much time with Marcus Bachmann and the rest of the “reparative therapists.”
Tookietookie123
Next thing you know he’ll say buying an iPhone makes you gay since Apple supports gay rights.
Mezaien
If I will fuck all the Christian, men in the USA they surly become HOMOS.
DickieJohnson
@Mezaien: OR, just G.F.Y.S.
Honestly, of ALL the mindless f*ck-tard insanity that has come from any Republican’s mouth, surely this takes the bonehead prize! Can this fool be removed from office?
dayz3d
@Tookietookie123: Don’t give him any ideas!
@DickieJohnson: Haha, I so agree.
I believe he’s afraid it will make the younger generation smarter. Seems to be a last ditch effort to keep people uneducated, therefore easier pray to convert to his bigot ideals.
toberlin
:)Funny to see these NOM-People are getting more and more desperate…
Creamsicle
This is a completely non-sensical statement out of *SURPRISE* Florida politician!
All joking aside, the only semi-reasonable way that this guy would want to react in this extreme manner is if he’s upset that the contract has moved to another company and he no longer gets a kickback or some other sleazy cut of the standardized test dollar.
LadyL
Yikes. Just…wow. Time to retire.