Judge Blocks Maryland County's School Health Program That Discusses Homosexuality

Associated Press ^ | 5-5-2005 | Stephen Manning

[kingattax]

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) - A federal judge on Thursday blocked a county school system from instituting a health curriculum that includes discussions of homosexuality.

U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams agreed with two groups that sued contending such discussions gave preference of religions that are tolerant of homosexuality over those that reject it.

Williams issued a temporary restraining order that prevents the Montgomery County school system in suburban Washington, D.C., from using the pilot health program in six schools. The program was set to begin Monday.

During the 10-day restraining order, another hearing will be held on whether to extend it, according to the judge's decision.

Williams said the curriculum juxtaposes faiths such as Quakers that support full rights for gays and lesbians with groups such as Baptists, who are painted as "intolerant and Biblically misguided."

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, a group comprising mostly parents, and the Virginia-based Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays.

School board president Patricia O'Neill said she was disappointed by the judge's decision but that the district would pursue its case in court.

The curriculum was to be used in eighth and 10th grades to teach students about the dangers of unprotected sex and about human sexuality. The 10th-grade class included a video discussing abstinence and a segment where a woman puts a condom on a cucumber to demonstrate its use.

Parents can opt out of the curriculum by signing a form, school system attorney Judith Bresler said while arguing the case. Blocking the curriculum would hurt only the students who agreed to take part, she said.

Erik Stanley, an attorney for the groups that filed suit, said the curriculum excludes the viewpoints of former gays and those who believe that "same-sex attraction can be overcome."

[kingattax]

Is this why the federal government has increased spending

[kingattax]

Is this why the federal government has increased spending on education by billions...so homosexuality can be the focus of public education ?


more insanity

[BJungNan]

School board president Patricia O'Neill said she was disappointed by the judge's decision but that the district would pursue its case in court.

Wasting money on lawyers instead of spending it wisely on textbooks and learning...Why?

The curriculum was to be used in eighth and 10th grades to teach students about the dangers of unprotected sex and about human sexuality.

So they can teach about sex instead of basic subjects.

We can all see what a great job the schools are not doing and why. Kids doing great at sex and pregnancy but can't read and write.

[Lancey Howard]

Alexander Williams, Jr.

United States District Court for the
District of Maryland
Greenbelt, Maryland

Born: Washington, D.C.-May 8, 1948.
Education: Howard University (B.A. 1970; M.A. 19; J.D., cum laude, 1973); Temple University (M.A.).

Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. was President Clinton's first African-American nominee to the federal bench. He was appointed to the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on August 18, 1994.

Judge Williams is a native of Washington, D.C. and has been a resident of Prince George's County, Maryland since 1973. His parents instilled in him the importance of continuing his education, working hard, believing in himself, staying humble, and maintaining a strong sense of integrity and personal ethics. Judge Williams' decision to become an attorney was made while a student in the seventh grade. His grandfather, an elevator operator at the Courthouse in the District of Columbia, often discussed with him the details of many cases taking place at the courthouse. These conversations convinced Judge Williams that being a lawyer would enable him to assist others in securing justice. Judge Williams was also impressed by the brilliance, commitment, and courage of his professional mentor, Professor Herbert O. Reid, Sr.

In addition to being the first African-American nominated by President Clinton to the federal court, Williams was also the first African-American elected as a State's Attorney for Prince George's County, Maryland, becoming the first African-American elected county-wide in Prince George's over 300 year history. He served in that position from 1987 to 1994.

Judge Williams has practiced law in both the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia in various capacities. He served as a Professor of Law at Howard Law School from 1978 to 1989. Judge Williams was a private practitioner from 1974-1986. From 1975 to 1987, he was a municipal attorney for the town of Fairmount Heights and Glenarden, Maryland. He also served as a law clerk to the Honorable James H. Taylor, Associate Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Maryland from 1973 to 1974.

Judge Williams enjoys "doing justice." After twenty years of practicing, teaching and enforcing the law, Judge Williams had a desire to serve in a judicial capacity. He learned of and became interested in one of three vacancies on the federal district court in Maryland around November of 1992. After submitting his name to the senior U.S. Senator for consideration, he was nominated by President Clinton on August 6, 1993.

Judge Williams' experiences as a judge have matched his high expectations:

Many of the attorneys representing the litigants in federal court are superb. The type of cases filed and heard in the federal court have a far reaching impact on the lives of citizens. I get personal joy and satisfaction upon making a decision which I deem just and appropriate following careful reflection and consideration of the facts and applicable law.

Judge Williams has held various positions in several professional, public, civic and community organizations. In particular, Judge Williams takes pride in being among the Founders and the first President of the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association (a Maryland affiliate of the National Bar Association).

Judge Williams advises those aspiring to become lawyers or judges to continue to learn, grow and develop, and maintain a high ethical standard. He also emphasizes how important it is to "never comprise your integrity."

[kingattax]

good background info....thanks

[Lancey Howard]

I am very proud of this judge.
It is likely that Slick Willie had no idea that this nominee was a man of decency and integrity or he never would have nominated him. I'm sure that in Willie and the Democrats' world, all they saw was a black nominee.

[jess35]

How incredibly bizarre. While I think that type of discussion is best suited for parents, not teachers, I cringe at the thought of any school subject being censored because one religious group doesn't approve. What's next on the chopping block?

[jess35]

You know Hillary had a shrieking hissy fit over this. That alone might make this all worthwhile.

[Tannerone]

You have it all correct! It is shocking and disgusting to come across young people 18-19 years of age doing counter work and find they cannot even make change for items purchased.

[OneTimeLurker]

Whether one approves of the outcome, this seems like pretty tortured reasoning to me. Looks like a result oriented decision.

[risk]

Judge Williams background info from LH at above post.

[risk]

It's no wonder so many 2+ grade kids can't read.

[Lancey Howard]

Check out the story below, too.

Apparently, Judge Williams went against First Amendment lawyers, scholars and journalism groups, including the ACLU and NPR, as well as other liberal enablers such as NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg and Vanity Fair contributing editor Ann Louise Bardach, when he didn't buy their friend's "Peter Townshend" defense:

Research or Child Pornography?

[coffeebreak]

The judges ruling is the right one but let's see if he makes it permanent. If he doesn't he should be removed from his judgeship. It's mind boggling that the homosexual agenda has gotten as far as it has. Many new organization are doing their best to stop it but they have waited so now they have a LOT of work to do.

[coffeebreak]

Texas is a leader in choosing text books for schools; I'll bet nobody from Texas approved these 'porn' books for Maryland. The Maryland school board involved should be replaced by the voters.

[mlc9852]

Gives a whole new meaning to "No Child Left BEHIND".

[mlc9852]

Why should homosexuality be a school subject?

[mlc9852]

But they can put a condom on a cucumber.

[coffeebreak]

Why should homosexuality be a school subject?

It could be discussed in two or three classes:

Criminal justice, when sodomy is discussed; psychology class as a mental disorder and for a medical student studying psychiatry, a mental disorder. They would study it at the same time they talk about pedophilia; another mental disorder.