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Garden State Equality, along with many homo activist groups, in and out of state (NJ), are watching NJ school districts closely. NJ is a gay friendly, liberal state but parents sending their kids to public school district schools are becoming more informed and are starting to question the political agenda apparent in many districts now. Our school district (K-8) is experiencing this now, parents questioning the teaching of homosexuality as normal, common behavior and promoting the lifestyle, really. Parents are showing up at school board meetings, asking questions, being told they’re raving lunatics, uneducated (not in this town), bigots, etc. Parents and other residents of this town are fighting for time with the hundreds of activists from various groups who are showing up, most if not all who don’t live in this area.

I think, based on what I’ve read on the Newark yearbook/kiss issue, that the district tried to prevent backlash from the parents (I’m sure they’re aware of what’s happening in my town/district and the uproar from usually quiet parents concerning the pro homo video that was being shown to 3rd graders without their knowledge)and tried not to have any publicity about this incident. However, these activist groups thrive on publicity.

The faculty advisor who allowed this picture to be included in the yearbook is to blame. IMO. I wonder if any pics of hetero couples kissing were included - I really don’t know enough about the yearbook. Anyway, including the same sex couple kissing was for the purpose of making a point, imo. It’s the same point our K-8 district was trying to make - this behavior, lifestyle is normal and anyone who thinks differently is uneducated, bigoted, misinformed, etc. At the same time, I think our district admin was trying to appease members of the admin and groups like Garden State Equality and never thought the usually quiet, supportive parents would care or that any local or national publicity would be the result.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the *special committee* formed to address this video/issue and the result (show the video or can it). The school district admin probably had no clue that parents would be so upset or that it would become national news. I think the Newark black out thing was done because the admin is aware of what’s happening in this district and probably didn’t want the backlash from parents. So now they have to deal with the Garden State Equality and other homo activist groups upset about the blacking out of the picture. On a bright note, I think our high school district will think very carefully, given what the K-8 district and other districts are experiencing, about just how important parents are in the education system (support v. nonsupport). They may cave to the homo/liberal/political agenda and groups but they’re going to have a fight from the parents.