Posted on 02/17/2005 12:18:59 PM PST by DBeers
Should Hunt Resign over Letter?
School Board member urged principals to invite speakers who believe that homosexuality leads to destructive lifestyle.
Barbara Wrigley, the lesbian mother of two Lake Braddock Secondary School students, was appalled when she heard Fairfax County School Board member Stephen Hunt (at large) had sent a letter to principals urging them to expose students to speakers who believe homosexuality is immoral and destructive. "What really offended me was when Mr. Hunt said that we're not normal," Wrigley said. "As a parent, I face enough discrimination. I don't need my children to be taught at school that their mother isn't normal." Wrigley was one of many gay and lesbian parents and students who denounced Hunt's views on homosexuality at last Thursday night's school board meeting, with several of them calling for Hunt's resignation. Many parents who are not gay also turned out to oppose HuntÕs actions. "When a school board member feels free to distribute misinformation, we know we've got a problem," said Paula Prettyman, president of Equality Fairfax. "He's spouting dangerous views that stigmatize the teachers and students he's supposed to protect."
HUNT, WHO SAID he has no plans to resign, sent the letter to the county's 24 high school principals two weeks ago. After word got out, the school board reprimanded Hunt for sending an unauthorized letter that contradicts the school system's Family Life Education curriculum. Fairfax County's ninth and 10th grade students learn about sexual orientation, but they are told people do not choose their sexual preference and that the reasons for homosexuality are unknown. Hunt said that people who believe homosexuality is immoral cannot express their views in Fairfax County schools. He said he sent the letter in an attempt to encourage principals to allow all sides of the debate be heard. "I believe in free speech," he said. "The students who disagree with homosexuality have the right to come out too. There is a suppression of speech happening and that's not healthy for a public dialogue." Hunt pointed to research indicating homosexuals have shorter life spans and are more likely to use drugs, drink alcohol or commit suicide. "Our students aren't hearing about the ramifications of this lifestyle," he said.
The "ex-gay perspective" Hunt is advocating is hateful and would cause even more distress for young people struggling with their sexuality, said Jeff Antsen, an openly gay senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. "If I had heard something like that, I would probably have gotten depressed," he said. "I might not even be here today." Allowing speakers with an anti-gay agenda into Fairfax County schools, Antsen said, would fuel a climate that is already leaning toward intolerance against gay and lesbian students. Students often use the word "gay" as a synonym for "stupid" and "faggot" as a common put-down. "Education about acceptance of all people, including those of differing sexualities, will one day end these constant reminders that we aren't there yet," he said. Robert Rigby, a gay math teacher at Falls Church High School, said the recent events have drawn attention to the larger issue of intolerance faced by Fairfax County's homosexual students and teachers. "There is an ongoing lack of acceptance and outright discrimination," he said.
NOT EVERYONE attending the school board meeting Thursday was there to criticize Hunt. Chantilly resident Paul Goze was one of a few parents who applauded Hunt's views on homosexuality. "He was saying the right thing," Goze said. "He had the courage to speak out. We shouldn't encourage immoral behavior in our schools. We shouldn't encourage the positive portrayal of homosexual behavior." But School Board member Stu Gibson (Hunter Mill) said that if nothing else, the past two weeks have been a reminder that people need to look past their differences and respect one another. "It's all about respect," he said. "You don't have to agree with the way people live their lives, but you ought to respect them."
ping.
"What really offended me was when Mr. Hunt said that we're not normal," Wrigley said.
The truth hurts.
I dont have to respect anyone. PS I do respect certain ppl, so dont flame me
Things that make ya go, "hmmmmmmmm.."
Things that make ya go, "hmmmmmmmm.."
It's all about respect," he said. "You don't have to agree with the way people live their lives, but you ought to respect them."
I love how they say this right before they call you a homophobe.
The Fag agenda has no place in public schools, either for or against.
Reading Writing and Arithmetic are all that should be taught there.
That and OUR history.
The day we begin to resign from anything for speaking absolute truth, is the beginning of the end.
UNEQUVICALLY...NO!
GAYS ARE NOT NORMAL
With only 2% of a population being possible gay, it cannot even be discussed as a NORMAL condition.
(Some of my sibs)* went to Lake Braddock & my parents still live right there - I think I'll sic them on this.
Reading Writing and Arithmetic are all that should be taught there.
That and OUR history.
___________
Exactly. We have ABSOLUTELY NO USE for knowledge about the other countries that make up this world. We should remain as ignorant as possible for as long as possible about EVERY CULTURE BUT OUR OWN.
I recommend home schooling for her
WHERE'S THE BARF ALERT?
No matter what new term they turn to, it will always be used by some as a put-down. Just as "moron" became "retarded" and when "retarded" became an insult it became "challenged," and now even that is used as an insult.
| Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1) |
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| What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda |
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| Myth and Reality about Homosexuality--Sexual Orientation Section, Guide to Family Issues" |
You're right. They always demand respect while doing the most disrespectable things. For a long time, I'd always back off. "Oh, wow. I'm not being respectful. Can't be like that." But no more. They don't respect anything, not even the basic conventions of human dignity. Why should debauchery be accorded respect?
This is a prime example of how the homosexual activists react to the truth. They deny everything, play the victim, cry foul at any differing viewpoint, and go berserk at the first mention of "ex-gays". Where's the tolerance they preach?
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