Reverend removed from NYC education policy panel due to anti-gay views
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A Staten Island pastor who once equated homosexuality to pedophilia was removed from Mayor Adams’ education policy panel within hours of being hired Tuesday after the Daily News exposed her anti-gay track record.
Rev. Kathlyn Barrett-Layne, who leads Staten Island’s Reach Out and Touch Ministries, was announced Tuesday afternoon as one of Adams’ nine picks to the Panel for Educational Policy, which serves as a governing body for the city Department of Education and approves its contracts.
In a press release, Adams’ office described Barrett-Layne as a seasoned minister who “spends her time inspiring people with her speaking and teaching in Bible studies.”
But less than six hours later — after The News published a story online outlining her history of anti-gay rhetoric — Adams spokeswoman Amaris Cockfield said Barrett-Layne would not be joining the administration after all.
“We were unaware of these writings and we’ve asked her to resign,” Cockfield said in an email.
Barrett-Layne could not be reached for comment after her abrupt axing.
