Thread by @Audrey4Congress

A 🧵To clear up misinformation spreading about me online:
1) I ran for office once as an Independent candidate, and once as a Republican.

2) I am not and never have been pro-censorship. I have been more vocal in my support for freedom of speech in schools than any candidate who has run in my elections. Public schools are the backbone of our society and I will support them until the end of time.

3) When I say in my Q&A responses that I do not understand a question, I spoke about it with fellow candidates, one of whom is a Fanlore member, and still did not understand the question.

4) Regarding EOTWR, I never said that they don’t have members who are also volunteers. I said they did not recruit people who are volunteers to run for the board. At the end of my statement I suggest that they do so and further engage with those people who are in positions to mak

e change at this moment.
5) Regarding the criticism of my political choices, that is perfectly valid. There is not much you can say that has not been said to my face.

6) Accusing me of homophobia and transphobia is absurd. I worked within the party to push acceptance and a revision of the party platform to remove the language that marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman.

I stand in solidarity with queer Southwest Missourians and will continue to do so regardless of my party affiliation.

7) The harassment and vitriol and misinformation being spread about my workplace is untenable. You can insult me, call me names, whatever helps you sleep at night. At the end of the day, I work for a research institute that is one of the few places advocating for children to lead

healthy lives in a digital world and working to protect their access to information in states like mine. Their work is important to me, and it should be important to all of you as well.

8) I am not withdrawing my candidacy. I will not concede to the loud voices who are insisting I am “pro-censorship,” “another Tiffany G,” or in any way homophobic / transphobic etc. If you care so much, volunteer.

If you care so much, run against me. Don’t vote for me if you don’t want to. I have no qualms about losing; I’ve done a lot of it. I know how to take an L, but I will not allow my workplace to take potshots on my behalf. Your beef is with me, not the Institute.