On Education: Lessons on Homosexuality Move Into the Classroom

NY Times ^ | August 15, 2007 | DIANA JEAN SCHEMO

[Pharmboy]

After five years, one legal defeat and a challenge on the way, Montgomery County, Md., is at the frontier of sex education in the United States. This fall, barring last-minute court action, the county will offer lessons on homosexuality in its 8th- and 10th-grade health education courses.

To school officials, the lessons are a natural outgrowth of sex education and of teachings on tolerance and diversity...The lessons’ central message is respect and acceptance of the many permutations of sexual identity, both in others and in one’s self.

School officials said they were not seeking to promote a political agenda, beyond tolerance...

But critics, who have filed lawsuits seeking to stop the lessons, contended that the Montgomery County schools, just north of Washington, have gone too far. John Garza, president of the Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, a group leading the opposition, said parents can block television shows they deem morally questionable, “but then we have the schoolteacher affirming unhealthy behavior.”

... In the 10th grade, the lessons, which presume that sexual identity is innate, again discuss the stresses of coming out, but add, “Many people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender celebrate their self-discovery.”

Kevin Jennings, the executive director of the New York-based Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, said the curriculum could reduce bullying over sexual identity.

“I don’t know how denying information to young people about sexuality or sexual orientation does anything to promote their health and well being,” he said.

Mr. Garza objected to schools teaching that homosexuality is not subject to change and failing to mention higher rates of some venereal diseases among gay men. “When you get into these hotly contested areas of moral judgment, that’s where the school needs to get out of it, or at least teach all sides,” he said.

[Pharmboy]

Because the last quote in a news article is usually seen as the "takeaway" and the point of view that is the "right" one, that's why. For the Times (whose reporters and editors are significantly homosexual) this is indeed a departure from their usual.

I posted this as more a story about the Times than the idiots in Montgomery County.

[RushingWater]

There’s a YouTube about how they “teach” this message to elementary grades. It is very disturbing how slick they are. Maybe someone could post the link, I don’t want to enter the search phrases on my PC to find it.

[subterfuge]

I understand.

Sorry.

[Pharmboy]

No need for apology...and as I re-read my first post to you, there's too much "tone" in it and that's not what I meant. No attitude on my part...it's all good.

Best,
PB

[jeffers]

Any person advocating homosexual activity to my children will be treated as a child molester

[massgopguy]

Since when are Tolerance and Diversity relevant to “health”?

[goldstategop]

They want to indoctrinate our children into accepting a perverted lifestyle as normal. This not about "tolerance" or "respect." This is outright brainwashing in the sodomite agenda disguised as "sex education."

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[DungeonMaster]

To school officials, the lessons are a natural outgrowth of sex education and of teachings on tolerance and diversity...The lessons’ central message is respect and acceptance of the many permutations of sexual identity, both in others and in one’s self.

So one wonders if there are ANY "permutations" that are frowned upon at all.

[beejaa]

On the one hand, you can be loyal to your friend. I don’t know of anyone who would object to that. On the other hand, we have a radical agenda being rammed down our throats and it’s in nobody’s best interest. Only declining empires have so much acceptance of homosexuality. Social conservatives are not demanding radical change. We are not on the attack. The leftist crowd is. We cave in to one demand only to move on to the next one. How much is your friend involved in politics?

[JenB]

You won’t have a choice, read more on this Maryland situation and you’ll see that the courts have again decided that parents do not have the rights over their children’s education that you’d like to think they do.

Basically, by sending your child to government schools you are signing over parental rights that they will not let you have back... not as long as you keep accepting their bargain.

Depopulate and defund government schools - homeschool!

[SueRae]

I see your point but there is no way I could homeschool. I have to work., Besides, if I had to homeschoo, I would surely develop a ‘tick’. Private school would have to be the answer for me. I hand it to those parents that are able to accomplish homeschooling.

[mj1234]

here is a better way to get this canceled-

Just mention they will be teaching this to
Muslim children- and call their religion bigoted
and out of date- ..

Oh wait.. that will not work -they will exempt
muslims from taking this course- and force all
Christians to take it.. never mind -sarc.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

It’s not about tolerance, but about inducting children into the “movement”.

[Coleus]

.

[ElkGroveDan]

Yep. It’s costing me a fortune but totally worth it (and I have five!)

[Salvation]

Pray for the conversion of America!