A defiant member of the local school board in Stonington, Maine is refusing to resign after posting vile homophobic comments to Facebook, claiming he is the real victim here.
William Shepard was elected to the Deer Isle-Stonington School Board last year, beating his opponent by a whopping one vote. (Yes, one vote.)
In June, he took to Facebook to trash Pride month for being against his deeply held Christian beliefs and to call same-sex marriage a “rape of the natural world,” whatever the hell that means.
More than 150 parents called on him to resign for violating the school board’s policy requiring “ethical and responsible behavior” by engaging in cyberbullying, but at a meeting Tuesday night, 39-year-old Shepard said there’s no way in hell that’s ever gonna happen.
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“I respectfully decline your request,” he declared. “I will not ever apologize for my Biblical convictions!”
Then he offered one of those non-apologies where he said he was sorry to anyone who was offended by his comparison of LGBTQ equality to rape, before totally flipping the script and playing the victim, saying he’s received death threats because of his homophobic remarks.
“I am in shock of the hatefulness shown to me and my family,” he whined.
Local pastor Dwight Dean spoke in support of Shepard at Tuesday’s meeting, saying he’s allowed to have “strong opinions” and that in order to achieve true equality all voices must be heard, including the ones speaking out against equality.
“What happens to diversity when only one viewpoint can be presented?” Dean said.
Shepard’s was elected to a three-year term in 2020. According to local officials, there is no way to remove him from office so he would have to resign voluntarily.
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
Cam
The QAnon and other right wing crazies have been saying online that people should run for school board so they can push bigotry and rac-ism more forcefully into the schools. So this guy is no surprise.
Mack
Yeah they’re pushing that here in Reno as well. We elected a gay father on the Board and he had to resign with in 6 months of office due to illness. They’ve appointed a new person but we’ll have to see their politics.
Mattster
Turnout for local elections is often extremely low, allowing a motivated fringe to have disproportionate influence These local positions often have a greater impact on ordinary people’s lives than so-called higher offices.
We could easily defeat this church-fascist fringe if we organized and brought people to the polls. In many communities, just a few hundred people would be a significant voting block.
This bozo was elected by a single vote! Everyone in that district that couldn’t bother to vote should be ashamed. So many people think their vote doesn’t matter. Well, he just proved you were wrong, didn’t he?
Fahd
Maine, the state that reelected Susan Collins and elected this guy. Sad!
If there is really no mechanism for recalling / removing an elected school board member then the school district needs to make changes to its charter. There needs to be a removal/recall mechanism. Without such a mechanism, misguided people might resort to bullying tactics to try to get someone to resign. I wouldn’t endorse that.
In any case, I am suspicious of these right wing extremist politicians who claim they are victims (see also Sen. Rand). It seems to be a new tactic for right wing wackos to avoid accountability and avoid criticism – just claim you and your family are being threatened, etc. These extremist wackos are coming at democracy and decency from so many angles, it’s worrisome.
scottjamesmiller
He looks more like a “victim” of fast-food and bad parenting.
Vince
Clearly he ignores the Gluttony is a sin part of the bible.
sceunazhel
Hahaha!
Kevan1
When you put sh_t out in the universe, you get sh_t back. You sew what you reap. So quit whining and STFU.
Mr. Stadnick
Once again “Christian” bigots claim that they are doing this as part of their “Biblical convictions!”. Where does it say in the bible to be rude and insulting to people you don’t like? Where do they find their justification to hate? If that truly is what Christianity is about I am very glad not to be a part of it.
Seth
Ah, diversity through the lens of a boot heel. Hard pass.
Sotzume
Just shove a few more cheeseburgers into his mouth and soon he’ll be an afterthought.
barryaksarben
another VIOLENT hate filled pos who is surprised not all people are behind his hate filled rant. NOW he is the victim. Bullshit asshole
Vince
Parents have every right to demand his removal. There are gay kids hearing that fat effing POS vomit his toxic hate and that’s dangerous.
GentlemanCaller
Is there a pool for how long it will be before he’s found trolling for boys on Grindr or holed up in a cheap motel with an underage crackhead? I’m in.
Invader7
EXACTLY.. His NeoNazi FASCIST beliefs are probably fueled by his METH addiction. PLus he probably has a 3″ cauliflower DICK… And is REAL pissed off @ the world . And is a spineless weasel… His karma will bite him in his fat ass
HMFan
@ Invader7: He’s the perfect poster boy for Incel Magazine International.
Joshua333
how is he a victim if he gets what he deserves?
darkanser
So now HE’S a victim of hate. Welcome to the club!!! Unfortunately, it won’t spark an iota of empathy from him.
Jack Meoff
Another pseudo christian hiding behind religion to justify his bigotry. You’d think true christians would be outraged but I guess they are just happy to get their numbers up no matter how hateful they are.
LumpyPillows
If anyone deserves bullying its this monstrosity.
fredk3
Uncle Fester!
HMFan
Ooooo! Death threats! Cry me a river, you hypocritical “Christian.” There are “good, Christian people” who have beaten LGBTQ+ people to death. Stop hiding behind your Bible and “deeply held Christian beliefs” and tell us why you really hate gay people. Ah, you CAN’T because that would expose you to the whole world as the horrible, intolerant, petty, and insecure individual you truly are. BTW, your ugly soul isn’t God’s fault; all that comes from a poor upbringing. You were TAUGHT prejudice and hate. You can UNLEARN it.