Human rights commissioner said Christians believe in 'happy horses**t,' 'magic sky daddy' in unhinged rant amid library's Christmas tree ban. She later resigned.

A member of the Human Rights Commission in Dedham, Massachusetts, resigned after writing that Christians believe in "happy horses**t" and a "magic sky daddy" as part of an unhinged rant on social media amid a Christmas tree ban in the town's public library.

What's the background?

Last year some folks allegedly were "uncomfortable" with the sight of a Christmas tree in the library, which reportedly led to a ban on Christmas trees there this season.

Lisa Desmond, supervisor of the Endicott branch of Dedham's libraries, said in a Facebook post earlier this month, "I found out today that my beautiful library will not have [its] Christmas tree this year. Zero explanation. When I asked I was told 'people' were made uncomfortable last year looking at it. I’m sorry WHAT?"

Desmond said in the comments section of her post that the Dedham public library director made the decision.

Desmond added that in her 28 years at the library, she's "never heard a negative comment. We have celebrated and included everyone in our community. In fact, I was asked to emcee Juneteenth this year. What an honor. Those who know me and my family know we celebrate Christmas Hanukkah. My Muslim friends and Western Indian friends invite me to their celebrations. What an amazing gift. ... Those who know me know I lead with positive intentions. I’m not feeling very positive today. Please bring Christmas back to my beautiful library. And always lead with love in your heart."

Hundreds of comments under her post and several other related posts on Desmond's Facebook page were squarely against banning Christmas trees in the town's public libraries.

'For a motherf***ing Christmas tree'

Desmond also added a Dec. 6 post with screenshots of a profanity-laced rant on a local Facebook page against Desmond and her issues with the Christmas tree cancellation. The rant's author, Diane Loud — whom Desmond said works for a local human rights commission — called Desmond a "selfish, f***ing bitch who does not care about anyone else but herself. For a tree? A motherf***ing TREE? You have put people's lives in a lot of danger. A lot of danger. For a motherf***ing Christmas tree."

The rant also read, "I hope that you — who claim to believe in Christ or whatever happy horses**t you're trying to hide behind — are the least gracious, most hateful, most disgusting trash in the world. Is this what you think your magic sky daddy wants? Where in the Bible was this again?"

And there was even more: "In closing I would like to add a final round of F*** YOU, YOU PIECES OF TRASH. I hate each and every one of you, and I do wish great suffering on you. You are terrible, terrible people."

Interestingly, the rant's author prefaced it all by saying, "I know there's no way to survive whatever sanctions you'll ask the select board to put my participation in commissions that actually try to make people's lives better, so I might as well go for it."

Desmond said in her Facebook post that "police have been notified" about the rant, and she also called for the rant's author to resign from the town's Human Rights Commission.

'Stepped down'

Two days after Desmond shared Loud's rant, it was announced that Loud "has stepped down from her position on the Dedham Human Rights Commission. We sincerely appreciate Diane's service and look forward to working with the Commission on Disabilities to find a representative to take her place."

Created by a vote of Town Meeting in November 2017, the Dedham Human Rights Commission "ensures that residents of the Town enjoy equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy life in the Town regardless of their race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, marital, family or military status, socio-economic status, ex-offender status, or disability," its website says.

Christmas tree ban is no more

After a massive pushback against the Christmas tree ban, the library director soon said they're allowed to go up after all.

Library Director Amber Moroney said in a statement Monday that "Christmas trees will be put up" at both of Dedham's public libraries, WBTS reported.

Moroney said in a statement to Fox News that "the initial decision to not display a Christmas tree was the result of an ongoing review of all our holiday decorations and displays that started back in the spring."

"What has played out on social media is unfortunate," she added to WBTS, noting that "it has negatively impacted our staff and the community, and frankly, transpired before we had even started our seasonal decorating. As we finish decorating for this holiday season, Christmas trees will be put up at both locations." Moroney also said to the station, "To be clear, there is no ban on Christmas at the Dedham library."

A statement from Dedham officials last Friday said "town staff" were "targeted by recent online threats and bullying" over the controversy and that "what could have been something of legitimate discourse turned neighbor against neighbor, and has threatened the safety and well-being of community members and staff."

Here's a video report about the controversy when it was first brewing last week:

Library controversially leaves Christmas trees out of holiday decorationsyoutu.be