Local California School Official Resigns Over Homophobic Remarks
A local California official resigned after he made "negative sexual orientation based comments" this summer towards a LGBTQ teacher, reported the Visalia Times Delta.
Visalia Unified Trustee Christopher Pope resigned during Tuesday's school board meeting. Initially he was to be censured by the board.
"I genuinely hope that this is an opportunity for [Pope] to understand that what he did is wrong, what he said is hurtful and inappropriate, and the actions he took to defend himself at my expense were shameful," said Ben Cummings, the teacher Pope's comments were aimed at, reported the VTD. "I don't believe he is a bad person but I also think that you can't double down on your bad behaviors without facing the consequences."
Pope apologized to Cummings at the meeting. "I want to first thank my constituents for believing in me and electing me as your trustee for Area 6. It has been an honor. It is with sadness and a lot of prayer and soul searching that I submit my resignation," Pope said. "I want to publicly apologize that I have hurt this individual. That is not my character.�It is time for the board to return to the business, it is what's best for our kids."
The incident last summer occurred when Cummings approached Pope asking them to consider his proclamation recognizing�Pride Month.
"Investigation findings show�Pope made negative sexual orientation-based comments during a lunch meeting in June," wrote the VTD.
"Mr. Pope made comments about my sexuality that were humiliating, upsetting and frustrating," Cummings said.�"At one point, Mr. Pope slammed his hands down on the table and said, 'don't make me be homophobic, Ben.'... As many times as I tried to divert the conversation from sexual relations, Mr. Pope continually brought it up and made it clear it was something to be ashamed of."
The VTD report continued, stating the investigation "found that when Pope thought of 'pride'�he thought of 'parades, naked people, sex, and men in G-strings.' He said when he thought of 'pride'�he thought of people saying 'Look at me. I'm gay. Be proud of me.'�
"Pope said�using the word 'pride' would be 'building a wall'�and 'almost demanding respect'�and asked Cummings if 'we are going to have a straight pride month?'�
"Pope also made negative comments about Cummings' sexual orientation, asking him 'why the board should be proud or concerned with what [he] did in the bedroom, or whom they had sex with.'�
Pope also wondered why the board should give special attention to them and other gay teachers,"�and referred to his sexuality as a choice.
"The board has not considered adopting a Pride proclamation since Cummings presented a draft in early June." Added the VTD. "Board President Juan Guerrero told the Visalia Times-Delta the proclamation was absent from a late-June agenda because the district was working on the wording of the resolution."