Teacher Attacked for Gay Criticisms on Facebook

A New Jersey high school teacher became the center of a Facebook controversy on
Thursday after writing on the site that “homosexuality is a perverted spirit
that has existed from the beginning of creation” and complaining about a school
display recognizing October as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History
month.

The teacher, Viki Knox, posted a photo of a display from the school, Union High
School in Union Township, on her personal Facebook page last week. It included
photos of Virginia Woolf, Harvey Milk and Neil Patrick Harris. When a friend
asked if the school had really put it up, Ms. Knox wrote that it had, and “I’m
pitching a fit!”

In subsequent posts, Ms. Knox, who teaches special education classes, defended
her views in lengthy exchanges with other Facebook users, referring at times to
God and her Christian beliefs. A copy of the comments was provided to The New
York Times; her Facebook page was removed from public view. News of Ms. Knox’s
comments was first reported on Thursday morning by The Star-Ledger in Newark.

“The district is taking the matter very seriously,” said Union’s superintendent
of schools, Patrick Martin. “We are running a thorough investigation. We will
take all appropriate actions.”

Dr. Martin declined to comment further on the investigation, or Ms. Knox’s
background, citing laws that protect the privacy of public employees.

The state’s teacher database showed that Ms. Knox had 12 years of experience in
the district and that she earned $72,109 in 2010. Some residents and parents
said that she also advised a student prayer group, and that, until now, she had
not been involved in any controversies.

Ms. Knox did not respond to messages left at the school.

In her Facebook posts, Ms. Knox wrote that while she had friends and loved ones
who were gay, she believed that the way they lived was “against the nature and
character of God” and that the high school was “not the setting to promote,
encourage, support and foster homosexuality.”

Edward Barocas, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union in New
Jersey, said in a statement, “Although we do not agree with the sentiments
expressed on Ms. Knox’s personal Facebook page, her beliefs and comments are
protected by the First Amendment.”

But Mr. Barocas added, “Because her postings raised questions about her conduct
within school, the school district can and should investigate whether she is
performing her job in accordance with school policies and the state’s Law
Against Discrimination.”

Members of Garden State Equality, a statewide civil rights organization that
advocates gay rights, sent hundreds of e-mails and made phone calls to the
district on Thursday demanding that Ms. Knox be dismissed because of her
comments.

Steven Goldstein, chairman of the group, said, “If these Facebook posts are from
Ms. Knox, she should not be teaching our children in public schools.”

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