Sen. Stacey Campfield’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill made it out of a House subcommittee today, banning discussion of all but “natural human reproduction science” before the ninth grade in public schools.

Before the House education subcommittee acted, chairman Joey Hensley scored bonus points by admonishing all Tennessee parents not to let their children watch “Modern Family” on television because they might discover there are homosexuals in the world.

Coincidentally, President Obama says “Modern Family” is one of the first family’s favorite shows to watch in the White House. Hensley didn’t mention that, but we’re certain that if he knew it, it would only strengthen his belief in the show’s evil influence.

“I don’t think ‘Modern Family’ is appropriate for children to watch,” Hensley said solemnly after a Nashville preacher testified children might find out about gay people by seeing the show even if teachers aren’t allowed to say gay in schools.

The state Senate adopted the “don’t say gay” bill last year but amended it first to allow only the teaching of “natural human reproduction science.”

Democrats argued the amendment actually liberalizes state law, which now makes it a misdemeanor to teach any kind of sex education before the ninth grade.

Nashville high school students have made regular trips to the Capitol to demonstrate against the bill, chanting “It’s OK to say gay!” They attended today’s hearing too.

“I really don’t know the purpose of bringing this legislation at this time,” House Democratic leader Craig Fitzhugh said. “It looks to me like a solution looking for a problem. This is certainly unnecessary. If it’s unnecessary why do we do it? I think we need to look long and hard at our motives.”

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

This is revolting. I am appalled: No one would be surprised to learn that there are right-wing Christians in this country who disapprove of homosexuality. Neither would it come as a surprise that in rural parts of this country, Christianity and homosexuality when brought together, can create a highly combustible mix. But who could imagine the hate and rage that would motivate a Pastor to instruct deacons and members of his congregation, Grace Fellowship Church in Fruitland, TN. to physically attack a couple arriving in the church parking lot last Wednesday? The fact that one of the gay men attacked happened to be the Pastor’s own son, Jerry Pittman, Jr., no doubt contributed to Pittman senior’s noxious edict. According to Pittman Jr., after hearing his Dad yell, “SICK’EM!”: “My uncle and two other deacons came over to the car per my dad’s request. My uncle smashed me in the door as the other deacon knocked my boyfriend back so he couldn’t help me, punching him in his face and his chest. The other deacon came and hit me through my car window in my back.” The attackers also verbally assaulted the couple continually with anti-gay verbiage which continued even after a Sheriff’s Deputy arrived on the scene. Bystanders and other congregants made no effort to stop the assault. For that matter, neither did the Deputy Sheriff. Once the barrage of punches ended, the Deputy refused to let the two victims press charges. (read the rest) Jerry’s own family mercilessly beat him for—existing and the Deputy did nothing. I shouldn’t have to remind you about the GOP’s stance on “the gays.” Herman Cain wants scientific studies to prove that it’s not a choice. Michelle Bachmann’s husband worked at degaying people. Rick Perry— Oh to hell with it. I really shouldn’t have to remind you at all, should I?

During the last Republican presidential debate, a gay soldier named Stephen Hill asked the candidates about the recent repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Before former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) could respond, the GOP audience booed the servicemember. None of the candidates on stage rebuked the audience, allowing the booing to settle in unchallenged.

Though the moment was roundly criticized on the left and the right, one of Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s (R) newest endorsers told ThinkProgress this weekend that the he “thought it was great.”

ThinkProgress spoke with New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro (R) on Friday evening following a Perry town hall meeting in Derry. Discussing the audience’s boos, Baldasaro said the real issue was the fact that Hill divulged his sexual orientation in the first place. “I was so disgusted over that gay marine* coming out,” Baldasaro said, because now Hill’s fellow soldiers will “start getting away from him” and “start ignoring him.” Baldasaro even speculated that because Hill came out of the closet, other soldiers might not protect him when “the shit hits the fan” in battle.

Baldasaro concluded by praising the Republican audience’s reaction to Hill:

KEYES: What did you make of that moment in the debate when they had the gay marine asking a question and there were a few in the audience who were booing him?

BALDASARO: I was so disgusted over that gay marine coming out, because when he came out of the closet. Bob won’t say it because they’re scared to get in trouble, but their brothers and sisters – brothers especially- that are there, they’ll start getting away from him. They’ll start ignoring him. He doesn’t realize it, but when the shit hits the fan, you want your brothers covering your back, not looking at your back.

KEYES: Did you have an issue with the audience reaction?

BALDASARO: Oh no, I thought the audience, when they booed the marine, I thought it was great.

Sometimes I forget what it looks like when the right shows its true face.