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A week before senators voted in favor of expanding hate crimes legislation to include sexual orientation and gender identity, Christian-based Focus on the Family devoted its entire broadcast to gay issues, including the current controversy surrounding Kevin Jennings.

The group's founder, James Dobson, was joined by Tom Minnery, the group's vice president of government and public policy, Carrie Gordon Earll, senior director of issue analysis for government and public policy, and Candi Cushman, education analyst for Focus.

The program chased after openly gay safe schools czar Kevin Jennings, who Cushman described as "frightening."

Jennings, 45, is the former executive director of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a group he founded to address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the public school system. Jennings serves as the Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools.

Criticism of Jennings by social conservatives began soon after the administration announced his nomination. Most of that criticism has circled around Jennings' sexual orientation and his ongoing crusade to keep gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children safe in the public schools.

In a June 2 press release, Peter LaBarbera, president of the anti-gay group Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH), called Jennings "radical" and "the antithesis of 'safety'." And 53 House Republicans have called for Jennings' ouster because he's pushed "a pro-homosexual agenda."

Dobson said Jennings symbolizes his "greatest nightmare."

"I have been fighting for family values, and marriage, and family, and for schools that honor the values and principles that parents believe in for 25 years. And it's coming apart," Dobson said. "It's unbelievable what's taking place. And Kevin Jennings is the quintessential expression of that far left agenda."

The Obama administration, however, continues to support Jennings.

"Kevin Jennings has dedicated his professional career to promoting school safety. He is uniquely qualified for his job and I'm honored to have him on our team," Secretary of the Department of Education Ann Duncan said in statement.

Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine

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