Jan Brewer, Arizona's Republican governor, has denounced a fake
story which claims Arizona is working on a mandatory school program
to turn gay kids straight.
“Beginning November 1st of this year, the state of
Arizona is implementing a mandatory school program designed for all
children grades K-12 to help homosexual males and women become
straight,” Paul Horner reported in the National
Report.
The hoax story quoted Brewer, an opponent of gay rights, promoting
the program on Fox News.
“I think this will be an amazing opportunity for gay children to
finally learn who they truly are for once in their lives. Can you
imagine how much more productive these 'now-straight' children will
be not always being bullied or wondering why God made them defective?
What we have done here today is monumental. I can only hope and
pray that other states follow suit,” Brewer is quoted as saying.
According to the fake report, Dean Huls of the “ex-gay” group
People Can Change also praised the program.
“Since 2000 'People Can Change' has been helping thousands of
children resolve their unwanted same-sex attractions. We bring the
gay demons out of these individuals so they can become who God
intended them to be. Our success and track record speaks for
itself.”
Sheriff Joe Arpaio was quoted as saying that fewer “gays in our
jails makes for a smoother running prison system. There will be no
more prancing around along with all the other gay activities that
homosexuals like to do.”
The story was widely shared on Facebook and Twitter.
Brewer's office denounced the story, calling
it “phony and vile.”