OPINION
It's 46 years later and Concerned Citizens Defending Freedom - Nassau Executive Director Jack Knocke has recessitated a "fear tactic" first employed in Florida by celebrity singer Anita Bryant.
In 1977, Bryant's "Save Our Children" campaign aimed to repeal a local ordinance in Dade County that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. The campaign was falsely based on the premise that the ordinance would lead to the "recruitment" of children into homosexuality. It was fueled by anti-gay sentiment and fear-mongering.
In recent days, Knocke has climbed the church bell tower and is tolling that same alarm - save our children from gay recruitment by banning the Fernandina Beach Gay Pride Festival and parade.
On March 27 Knocke emailed City Commissioners in opposition to the Gay Pride events.
“This is hugely inappropriate to expose our children in public places to,” Knocke’s email stated. He did not elaborste further.
In response to a News-Leader article about his email, Knocke wrote an editorial.
"Why, I wonder, would the city of Fernandina Beach now give a permit to the Fernandina Beach Pride group (FB Pride) to host multiple events in this (Central) park with this sexual orientation group hosting drag shows or similar activities in our park in front of our children?" Knocke wrote in last Friday's edition of the News-Leader.
He went on to write: "What is being played off in the article is that the event is an innocent, family-friendly event,
when it is not. Did the drag queen show from last year’s celebration violate Florida child
protection laws?"
Knocke's anti-gay campaign also included a December Facebook post about the city's Christmas parade.
"Saturday nite was the Fernandina Beach Christmas Lights Parade! Lots of excited kids were in attendance. Decorated floats, dance clubs, high school bands etc. Classic small town cuteness… except for the entry provided by Fernandina Beach Pride…. Which had a drag queen riding on top of the float… waving away to all the people!"
Like Bryant's earlier failed 'Save Our Children" effort, Knocke's CCDF group's campaign reflects the same tired, hateful agruments, with the same flaws, Bryant espoused almost 50 years ago.
It's based on misinformation: CCDF's campaign relies heavily on the false belief that homosexuality is a choice, and that gay people were attempting to recruit children into their lifestyle. There is absolutely no evidence to support this claim. The fact is that children cannot be "recruited" into identifying as LGBTQ. Sexual orientation and gender identity are innate characteristics that cannot be influenced or changed by external factors. LGBTQ events and communities simply provide a supportive environment where people of all ages can be themselves and express their identity without fear of discrimination or judgment.
It's discriminatory: Denying a group the right to hold a festival in Central Park based solely on their sexual orientation is discriminatory and a violation of their fundamental rights. Furthermore, denying access to city public spaces could lead to social exclusion and prevent members of the LGBTQ+ community from fully participating in public life.
It's divisive: The CCDF campaign is pitting one group of people against another, creating a hostile and divisive atmosphere in our community. It sends a message to the LGBTQ+ community that they are not welcome or valued in the public sphere. It creates a sense of division between the LGBTQ+ community and those who support their rights and those who do not.
This rehetoric is contributing to the stigmatization of the LGBTQ+ community and creating an environment in which hate crimes and discrimination against this group are more likely to occur. Inclusive policies and practices that promote diversity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are essential to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the community.
Knocke's 2023 version of the "Save Our Children" campaign is erroneous and inappropriate based on a foundation of fear, misinformation, and discrimination. However, CCDF's hollow claims serve as a sobering reminder of the harm that can be caused by prejudice and intolerance.