Oh my....how clueless can one person be??? How can anyone take him seriously on ANY issue from here on?? The funny thing is that he doesn't know when to stop talking...he could have easily just apologized, been statesman-like and met with the group. Instead, he is over compensating...

"I have gay family..." If it were not so sad, it would be laughable.

Well, I actually believe he didn't have sex in high school. Don't think it had anything to do with his "strict household," though.

Does he really believe what he says. I think he's playing to what he thinks people want to hear (at least his base). Apparently, he even supported a gay candidate for the RI House. See his campaign Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=139075819449210&set=a.139070172783108.18021.126829394007186

The candidate, Erich Sturn, was an openly gay Republican who opposed Gordon Fox (D), I think. Wonder how Mr. Sturn feels about this -- not that a gay Republican has much credibility these days.

I feel quite sorry for his 'gay friends.'

Clearly, they need higher standards.

I would have asked him if he planned to support banning all other after school activities, because you never know when crazy monkey sex will break out at the robotics club.

Blaming the victim, typical.

If only they weren't gay, they wouldn't be bullied, right, Gordon?

Pathetic.

I'm waiting him to submit a don't-ask-don't-tell bill to the General Assembly.

Well, if there is any silver lining in any of this is that Gordon and Sousa have been outed.... for their ignorance!!!

I didn't know agendas, liberal or otherwise, could throw things about. I really need to get out more.

Aside from that, if Mr. Gordon thinks that bullying is confined to sexual preference or gender identity, he must have gone to rather unique schools. In my experience, anyone who's in the slightest bit different from the rank and file in any way is a target.

Perhaps he should confine his opinions to those things he actually knows something about. But using that as a prerequisite, he might not be able to contribute anything at all.

Oh, the old "I know gay people" defense. Almost as effective as "I'm not racist, I have a black friend."

I called in this morning, and unfortunately got cut off right when they changed topics. I sat there throughout the whole segment listening to PARENT after PARENT call and raise their voices, bash, and try to humiliate Rep. Gordon for taking his stance against a "sex affiliated" program that is going to be introduced to Tiverton High School. I am a 24 year. old and can't believe how many adults stood up for this!His whole point was to make sure that schools do not take on too much and stick to EDUCATING the students, rather than try to promote any sex enriching program. If we could just stop and listen to each other! One caller called in saying Rep. Gordon was outrageous, however added that Cumberland High school has a child care program and agreed it was a problem.The next screamed and ask him if he had sex in high school and told him that that was REALITY. Well, if that is our reality, then why are you all folding as parents and allowing this in schools. Stand up against it! One woman called from Connecticut saying that these programs are good for the students, and Rep. Gordon asked if they are allowed to talk about sex. She immediately said "no", then in the same breath contradicted herself saying that "Yes they can if they ask the leader of the group!" Rep. was not being discriminatory, he was trying to keep the schools away from making "sex" and "sex talk" a habit and norm! Let families alone be the advocates to their children about sex, and leave the schools to educate.

Yes - let the families be the advocates. They're doing such a bang-up job, aren't they?

Rep. Gordon,
I do live in your region (unfortunately) and I do approve of tax dollars being spent on these programs. Even though this club costs our taxpayers.....NOTHING!!!!!
Many of us can spout about our feelings on the topic, including yourself however, here is some factual data. (Note - I did post this on the other article, and neither you nor Joe S. had a response.)

If your goal truely is to increase academic performance, then here is a recommendation made by the Rhode Island Department of Health and Elementary and Seconday Education. The recommendation was taken from the Rhode Island Department of Health and Elementary and Secondary Education - 2009 Youth at Risk - Sexual Orientationand and Health Risk of Rhode Island Public High Schools (released November 2011).

Research also de-monstrates that schools that focus on health and safety can dramati-cally increase academic performance. Consequently, the following recommendations are offered:
*Support policies and programs promoting self-esteem and diversity
*Adopt interventions addressing youth behavioral healthcare needs
*Integrate LGBU issues into academics
*Enforce LGBU anti-discrimination policies
*Increase screening and referral of at-risk LGBU youth

And just an FYI, students learn about and talk about sex in schools (starting in middle school) which is included in the approved RI Health curriculum.

Kathleen, I do not think this forum needs to resort to name calling. Although I am not a fundamental Christian, I do not think they "collect the most ignorant and malevolent people in society". I think that statement is very ignorant and hurtful.

Mr. Gordon,

You can try and spin this however you want. What remains clear is your initial reaction to the article that was written. How dare you threaten the people of Tiverton by stating "you will re-direct" funding to charter schools! All of the students at THS have different attitudes, values, and beliefs that may not agree with what our society considers to be the "norm." You have reacted in such a way that is a disgrace to the people that you represent. I have had the privilege of teaching many of the students at THS since the 5th grade! What makes my job rewarding comes from watching these students grow and figure out there own unique nitch in life. What you have done with your comments has proven to me yet again, that the school system in Tiverton is not FAILING our students! Its easy to sit there and point out test scores and teacher salaries! That's what everyone does! Being negative is easy. That's what cowards do! What I have seen over the last few days hopefully proves to everyone that our schools are strong and help to facilitate the necessary skills for our students to become productive members of society. You can respond to this in whatever way you choose too. I will say this, the next time you think about commenting on what happens at a local school, come and spend a day with us to get a better understanding of a school environment. Get to know the students, teachers and administrators. The negativity in this town must stop and it starts with you!

Dan should have done his homework before he got into publicly denouncing a Gay-Straight Alliance Club. This will be interesting to watch.

Sadly, I think it has been a while since Mr. Gordon has spent any time in any school setting. He has no concept of what today's youth have to deal with on a daily basis. I commend this group of teens for attempting to bring awareness to their peers and the school community for the simple sake of teaching tolerance. I also commend the teachers and faculty for supporting this groups agenda, which by the way is not sex based. Shame on you Mr. Gordon for even opening your mouth and giving an opinion without first educating yourself.

So, Mr. Gordonn "has nothing against the gays community". Good to hear. I fully expect to see him supporting gay marriage in Rhode Island then. Put you vote where your big mouth is, Dan.

And the reason he is all of the sudden not "anti gay" is because the Speaker of the House is openly gay and this dope you people elected won't get jack crap at the State House now!

What tax dollars??? This group costs nothing. These students take their own time (after school hours) to support and advocate for tolerance and compassion for all students. This group had NOTHING to do with sex! It's about tolerance. I suppose that he also considers PFLAG a sex group. He speaks about lunacy? Is he referring to himself? His comments are so out there. Obviously he does not think before he speaks, and if he does think before he speaks then he is the lunatic. He is an embarassment to his district. This is what happens when people don't actually research whom they are voting for. I can only hope these words come back to haunt him in 2012.

The comments by Gordon (title of Representative purposely left out because he does not deserve it) were rude, bigoted, and a complete slap in the face to every student that has been bullied in their lifetime because of their sexual orientation.

Gordon and his sidekick Sousa need to do some research on Tyler Clementi, the 18 year old Rutgers University student who committed suicide after being the victim of anti-gay bullying. It would be interesting to see what Gordon and Sousa would have to say to the parents of Tyler Clementi.

Shame on you Gordon.

Dan Gordon will be back on the air tomorrow (Friday) am I for one will be tuning and calling in. I just think its sad that someone so misinformed, uneducated, and homophobic is in a position of power,

Mr. Gordon's comments were uncalled for, and I beleive that no matter what he says, he won't be able to take the thought that our represenitive has anti-gay ideas. This group is helping the taxpayers children and it costs a whopping $0.00!! There is no excuse for this man to bash on tiverton residents, I'm dissapointed in Mr. Gordon. As a straight male, I support the desicions of the GSA and think that it is one of the better clubs that the high school has.

He Continually tried to dodge my question on the subject of GSA, I asked him if he would rather a student commit suicide because there was NO GSA for them, or there be a GSA and save his life. That is what it boils down to! Instead he makes petty comments (border-line bullying) about teens punctuation and grammar. These little antics of his aren't gaining the support he thought they would, I personally thank everyone who is helping with this situation! Also I have a question for Gordon, why doesn't he ask his gay friends, his gay cousin, or his gay family if a GSA would have helped there High School years. (For any of you who are going to call tomorrow please bring up my questions! and ask why he did nothing but dodge questions.((I'll be in school LEARNING, )) Thank you everyone!

Parents can not deny that our children are being overly sexualized. If you are a parent of a child who watches "Glee" you should probably be aware that the very first episode showed 2 young girls in bed with each other, caught in a romantic moment. A recent episode of same show had 2 young men kissing one another. Think about how many grade school children are watching this show! And it's not the only show. If you are watching "Jersey Shore", that show is pure smut. How many kids watch that one? If this isn't seeking to get kids to experiment with their sexuality, I don't know what is. Statistics state that if a young boy dabbles in a homosexual relationship, he is 80% likely to remain in homosexual relationships. What is wrong with that? How about the schools teach young men about the effects of sexually transmitted diseases, like AIDS, which are much more likely to occur in gay men. It is a known fact that AIDS is still rampant, only that the treatment is much more likely to slow the painful and excruciating death of an AIDS patient. Think about this. When was the last time that you heard any story about AIDS. It's being swept under a rug of denial. A young male homosexual person is much more likely to go on to have multiple partners throughout his lifetime. Even if he is eventually in a "committed" relationship, a gay man is much more likely to have outside sexual partners. This is not true love. This is not fidelity.

So, Gordon is going to be on radio AGAIN today?? What station???

Maureen-
I am not quite sure what your post has to do with GSA. If you are speaking to the subject of fidelity, most heterosexual relationships that end in divorce (or breakup) is due to lack of faithfullness on the part of one partner or the other. The lack of fidelity is NOT due to sexual orientation, it is due to a flaw in human nature. As for television - Americans thrive on entertainment and they love their reality TV. If people didn't watch it (in droves) the networks wouldn't air it. If you prefer that your child not watch something, then turn off the TV.

Oh boy. Gordon likely uses his basis for believing this is a sexual group because of the images the haters use to distort gay people gathering in any way. The pejorative term 'Gay agenda' comes to mind. The word 'propaganda' used by a staff member at the Patch is another. Maureen's misinformed rant above is another. Gordon blames the bullying on those who become equally public about their personhood. Fifty years ago he would have blamed blacks for getting beaten for wanting to vote.

You folks in the GSA are a lot braver than most of us, me included. Bullying in the high school is an inescapable realty for many. Ignore those who dismiss your episodes because others are also bullied. That does not change your reality. You are truly to be commended for taking these issues in your own hands and creating a safe place. It is also heartening to see the support you have from administrators and teachers. We are all are very fortunate to live int his lovely bubble we call New England.

Maureen, please don't take this to an abortion discussion. BTW: I think they should be mandatory in most cases, and people should take the morning after pill like a vitamin, but that's for another forum :)

Glee is entertainment. And if you're a fat girl, a gay boy or even the school tramp, life in high school can be pretty hard. Many identify in some way with one or more of the characters in the show, which is why the ratings are through the roof. The show addresses real issues, albeit in a fantastical way, that are in every high school -- teen pregnancy, bullying, sexual identity, eating disorders, gossip, meanness, etc. The show is less about encouraging sexual experimentation and more about acknowledging it exists. Maybe it would be better for homosexuals to get married, reproduce and live a lie?

I suggest you take the satellite dish off your house, get rid of the big-screen TV in your living room and listen only to conservative talk radio.

I am serious, Maureen, so you keep praying for me. I also make no judgment on the show's entertainment value, I'm just saying it represents a reality you may not want to admit exists. Furthermore, unless you are a homosexual, do not tell us about confusion and life being hard. It's people like you who make it harder!

LUGs -- how scandalous! Oh well, nothing wrong with physical gratification. And at least the LUGs won't get pregnant and need the abortion services.

Sorry guys but we you i them they are getting way of base, this whole line of talk is getting to be like a tv show. i need a real map to get from tiverton high school to lug, again this is a personal choice and to discuss here serve's no porpose, names and faces eye to eye are best for this. or folks trained in such . No one,s mind will be changed here, i I had a magic wand more than one of us would fix all this, but we don't. The best we can do is VOTE, you can't change a mind but you can change a vote, by asking a friend, to help someone out, for many reasons(I think we have one here)If we all get our shit together and stopped these stupid warswe would not be sqeezeing every dollar for the town and schools to just get buy and that is an issue for all.

Again, I feel the need to comment. People are really harping on the whole "sex"thing. I would encourage any opposers to educate themselves on what this group is about. It is a safe outlet for kids, gay and straight, to express their concerns or fears about multiple subjects . This is NOT a chat room about sex. This is not a gay only group. I find it sad that so many students,mostly straight, are supporting this group and the adults are the ones trying to "sweep it under the rug." I compel all of you to learn about the group before casting your opinion.

If anything positive came out of his bigoted remarks, it is that in the real world everyone is not accepting and tolerant. It's sad to think that someone looked upon to lead is so close-minded and stubborn. Let's all remember that the civil rights movement also had strong opposition and now we have a black president.

I am currently a Tiverton Substitute and have spent many hours working in the high school. If you have a child in this school, I have probably taught them on more than one occasion. After spending much time in this school, I cannot get over all of the obstacles and junk that these students are faced with daily. No longer is high school a place to come and learn, growing academically in preparation for the next stage in life, but rather it has become a "social war zone". In recent years cyber bullying, homosexual relationships, teen pregnancy, and drug and alcohol abuse has become the "norm". As a teacher, I want more for these kids daily. I want them to just be kids and stop growing up so fast. I am not in favor of the GSA, not because I do not think it is important to give these students a support system, but rather because it takes away from the purpose of school. Let's not confuse all the junk that media pushes on these kids and apparently on ourselves, with the reality of what schools and parents should be doing. Glee and Jersey Shore are NOT reality. We have to look to the future of where GSA will lead to. If we open this door, we are not giving the majority of students or the parents an option. We are doing the same evilness that our media is doing by putting this one message in EVERY facet of their lives. Give them a chance to breath and grow up without having a confusing message always in their face.

You're the only one who is confused. Football, cheerleading, color guard, baseball, etc. are not contributing to academic growth and preparation for the next stage in life either. And they even cost a lot more than the GSA (no requirement for uniforms, stadium, instruments, equipment, etc.).

I never said that those extracurricular activities do not add to the growth of the individual but just as teachers, coaches, and anyone directly involved with the school is not allowed to bring religion into anything that they do or say, I do not believe THS should be allowing GSA in their school. THS is essentially saying that they are in FULL support of homosexual relationships. Call it an anti-bullying support group, but the reality of it is that it will be attended mostly by homosexuals, not diverse if you ask me. I would like to say to J. Michael that I am not confused at all actually. I know for a fact that these kids and parents everywhere nowadays are the ones confused. GSA will not solve the bullying problems. We need to get at the root of the problem, which is the family, which our society and the media has been warping slowly over the past decade. That is for a different debate, but again I think that THS and all school departments need to be focused on educating these students and helping them to become contributing citizens without affilitating themselves with things like gender identity.

Missing my point entirely! I'm saying that football, cheerleading, color guard, baseball, etc. are "not contributing to ACADEMIC growth and preparation for the next stage in life," so how can you NOT advocate removing these activities as well? This was your argument for not allowing the GSA. But now you're making a different argument by saying we're all misguided. I'm glad you're only a substitute. And GSA is not a religion, so how can you make that comparison?

The FAMILY has failed for years. I'd be willing to bet many of the bullies are spawn of self-righteous zealots and live in two-parent homes.

To Tiverton Substitute (and any other educators out there):

GSAs in fact do improve the educational environment. GSAs should be welcomed by anyone who cares about the education of kids. The peer-review studies and facts prove it. Just a few facts:

--- Students in schools with GSAs reveal lower incidents of victimization and suicide attempts than schools without GSAs, and research indicates that suicidal behaviors are directly related to victimization and perceived adult support.

--- The High School Journal reports that GSAs improve academic performance, school/family/community relationships, feelings of safety, belief in capacity to make societal contributions, and an enhanced sense of belonging to school community.

--- The October 2010 report published by the National Education Policy Center documents the persistence of hostile and unsafe school environments that can result in lower educational outcomes and higher rates of depression and suicide for LGBT students.

Tiverton sub...
Many of the issues you speak about are not new. I am 49 years old and did not grow up in the cable TV era. I grew up in the suburbs and there were 13 girls (that I knew of) in my high school graduation class alone who dropped out due to pregnancy. Many of the kids drank (and yes... some were your athletes, cheer leaders, and scholars) and there were many kids who would get high and/or do chemicals - even during the school day. Bullying took place on a daily basis resulting in one attempted suicide and one succeful one that I can recall. Who knows what happened behind closed doors that wasn't public knolwledge. My point is that many of these are not new issues and although it's easy to blame the media it's more likely that lack of support, acceptance and tolerance brings about many of these problems. Having groups such as GSA provides a peer support to children who might not have that support at home, at school, or even in their church. Any group that provides an environment where individuals can be free of ridicule and be comfortable with who they are is a positive thing. No person should ever fear caring for another person or looking over his/her shoulder because they don't fit into a specific mold. These are teens who support each other whether they are straight, gay, short, tall, thin, fat, etc. I feel so incredibly sad for you that you can't see the positives in this.

I think Rep. Gordon needs to realize what the purpose of schools are...to educate students. Sexual issues should be an issue schools address. Less educated our students are, they are less likely to succeed in life. Educating students in all aspects, whether it be sexual issues, Darwinism versus Intelligent Design/Adam & Eve; providing our students with knowledge to make their own intelligent decisions is better than prohibiting them from access to additional education.

It is disgusting and disturbing that the less-intelligent commentators on this article assume that just because an organization was the word "gay" in a club/organization that it is a "sexed-up" organization. People who are gay are not sex-fiends. Just like people who are straight are not sex-fiends. These sorts of comments that gay groups are "sex" groups are similar to the comments made about various ethnic groups. Such prejudicial comments are downright "un-American" and anybody who says otherwise is not a true American.

Obviously Rep. Gordon is only concerned with educating students with his limited views. Let's hope voters in 2012 choose a respectable and intelligent individual.

I am personally insulted by how this elected official is playing with his words, in his radio broadcast he contradicts himself! A quote from the broadcast via radio stations recording "I am not apposed for them forming a group as with anybody else as long as no ones being harmed. They have the freedom and liberty to form and congregate peacefully as anyone else does." Really? Then he goes on to say he will definitely not be apologizing for his comments. I know I'm not the only one noticing how he is doing this, contradicting what he says yet standing by that he will definitely NOT be apologizing. I'm thankful the news has picked this atrocity up, I'm thankful for everyone here who supports the GSA and the Tiverton High School in this stand. Sorry for this rant, he seems to have struck a personal nerve of mine with his intolerable actions, his contradictions are getting rather pathetic now and should NOT be coming from someone in his position.

Thank you for reading this rant, just felt the need to get it out. I stand by what I say, Mr.Gordon seems to be having problems doing so.
-Shawn Loomis

Please educate yourself Mr. Gordon. I did. This group is a support group to help SUPPORT teens, not get "sexed-up" good grief what a ridiculous term. Maybe we should ban Alateen, too. Maybe talking about alcoholism will make those kids alcoholic. Maybe we should ban all support groups. I am very disappointed in you, you clearly have not spent any time at all learning about GSA groups and then have the audacity to discuss it as if you have information on it. http://gsanetwork.org/about-us

Uh Oh. I was checking out Dan Gordon's facebook a few hours ago. There was a link to something that looked interesting. After much searching, here it is: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DbGQawBwyfG4&h=94720. Dan Gordon made chanel 10 news! His Facebook page has gone the way of his Alliance Building Contractors website. Gone.

I don't think people understand Dan Gordon!
This is not a slip-up, and he is not "just" anti-gay. Among other things, he has spouted similar talking points about;
Jews
Blacks
Liberals
Democrats
The President
and just about every other group which exists!

This guy has been writing this stuff for YEARS on various forums and comment blogs in RI.

In short, he is not a nice man. He is not qualified to lead anyone. He may actually have a mental illness.

He probably enjoys the attention he is getting.

I hate to see everyone wasting their breath on this guy. Some people are redeemable and just make an occasional mistake. But Dan Gordon, if he is 1/100 as bad as his posts and writing have indicated over the years, is not on the same level as the regular folks here. Even old Joe Sousa is a human being! Dan, most assuredly, is not (at least currently).

So, impeach him or sue him or take other actions....you are not going to "teach" him anything, his ideologies are burned into his brain.

I am not in favor of what Rep. Gordon has said, but what is the impeachable offense?? What will you sue him for? What law did he break?