Ashjian equates LGBT citizens with ‘cold-blooded killers’

School Boards should be about one thing: our children and making schools a safe haven for all kids.

Unfortunately, some incendiary comments by FUSD board President Brooke Ashjian are distracting the board, keeping it from effectively completing its mission. As an elected official, he should be prepared to deal with criticism from parents in a calm, professional manner.

Instead, Ashjian takes comments personally, using his position as a platform to attack a minority then crying foul when they stand up for their rights. Instead of fostering civil discourse on the board, Ashjian chose to take personal offense with members’ differing religious views.

Whether you agree or disagree with these views, LGBT members and their supporters are a part of our community.

In likening his opposition to the Ottoman Turks responsible for the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians, he chose to equate citizens (fighting for equal representation an inclusion) to cold-blooded killers.

Voters will decide Ashjian’s fate on the board. But board members must protect all our children by removing Ashjian as board president. and let it be known that regardless of religious, ethnic, and sexual orientation, our diversity makes us stronger and all students are welcome in Fresno.

This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Ashjian equates LGBT citizens with ‘cold-blooded killers’."