Gurnee Mayor Blasts School Board Member's Comments On Gays, Lesbians

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A member of the Warren Township school board created a firestorm last week, when she said the district should not hire a homosexual superintendent.

During last week's board meeting at Warren Township High School District 121, board member Liz Biondi said she hopes they do not hire a gay superintendent to replace Mary Perry Bates, who is retiring. Her comments came as the board was discussing qualities they want to see in Bates' successor.

"I have very good friends who are gay or lesbian, and I'm concerned that if we hired someone that we were not aware of that background, that they may be fighting more personal fires than superintendent fires," she said.

She went on to say she has no problems with a gay superintendent, but the community would.

Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said she wants Biondi to resign.

"She's an embarrassment to this community. The comments are outrageous, horrible, and she does not represent our community. That's what's most important," she said.

State law prohibits discriminating against anyone in employment matters, on the basis of sexual orientation.

Kovarik went so far as to say people should picket Biondi's home.

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• Mike Krauser