OK, even by the normally kooky standards of Sen. Stacey Campfield, this is pretty nuts. Apparently, Del Shores, noted gay playwright/producer/actor/etc., got wind of Stacey's perennial "Don't Say Gay" legislation. Shores, like Penn & Teller before him, sensed a ripe target for a little public confrontation with raging homophobia. So he invited Campfield to a public debate, with any proceeds going to charity. The resulting correspondence is reproduced on Shores' Facebook page, but here's the key exchange:
Shores--I would like to debate you Senator Stacey Campbell on your turf in your home state Tennessee. I will now announce the challenge publicly.
Topic: Homosexuality and the Bible.
We could charge and give the money to charity. I would choose The Trevor Project, The Matthew Shepard Foundation and Youth First Texas -- because with bills like your's gay children are being taught they are less than and NOT God's children. They are killing themselves because of YOU and so-called Christian's like you who perpetuate hate from pulpits and political stands. You can choose something like, oh, Focus On The Family. Or, just pocket it or give it to some rich Republican CEO.
Campfield--Although it was you that brought up the bible not I, I will happily debate you. I require a $1000.00 retainer fee and all expenses covered. You can do with the rest all you want.
After this, Shores contacted the Tennessee Equality Project about sponsoring the event. But TEP declined, on the grounds that a.) there are about a zillion people they'd rather give money to than Stacey frikkin' Campfield; and b.) it may not even be legal for a sitting legislator to be paid to discuss his own legislation. Shores, after further research, concluded TEP was right. He suggests an ethics complaint should now be lodged against Senator Stacey for even requesting the fee. The News Sentinel's Michael Silence notes this could even be considered fundraising, which is illegal while the Legislature is in session.
So we've got probably unethical, possibly illegal, and definitely, totally weird. That's our Stacey. Are you enjoying your state senator, Knoxville?
Meanwhile, the "Don't Say Gay" bill is on the calendar for today's session of the Senate Education Committee. It always stalled when Stacey proposed it in the House in the past. Will Senate Republicans bat it down, or send it on to the floor? Stay tuned.
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