Teaching Kindergarten Kids About 'Human Differences' and Homosexuality Isn't 'Easy' in Newton

Massachusetts News ^ | April 17, 2003 | MassNews Staff

[Feldkurat_Katz]

Expressing an opinion is “howling?”

If not backed up by facts, it is.

I have no idea how many libel lawsuits the MassNews has won or lost, nor is it relevant to their long and unbroken history of blatant distortions and lies.

It is relevant because homosexual fanatic's accusation of "blatant distortions and lies" is an opinion whereas a libel judgement is a fact.

[EdReform]

"The article suggests that they were directly citing the presentation at the conference. How do they know what was said in that workshop?"

"Ever go to the theater? You buy a ticket and you see the performance... If you want to know what goes on at their conference then do what I did: Buy a ticket and attend."

You think maybe the reporter attended the conference and then wrote the article? There's no law that says a reporter can't quote what a workshop presenter said during a presentation. Or are you going to try to twist M.G.L to say that a pencil and paper is an illegal recording device?

[scripter]

Thanks for the ping. It is articles like this that should encourage us to tell everyone we know exactly what they are teaching our kids. Please copy and paste the URL below into your mail program and send it to everyone you know:

http://www.massnews.com/2003_Editions/4_April/041703_mn_teaching_kindergarten_kids_human_differences_in_newton.shtml

Other links regarding homosexuality and schools:

• Conservatives Warn Parents about Homosexual 'Day o  FR 
• Students explore lesbian, gay issues 
• Fistgate to be Held Again on March 15 [2003]  FR 
• The Deception and Desensitization of America's You  FR 
• Parent Alleges Harassment for Exposing 'Fistgate'  FR 
• Canada OKs pro-'gay' books for kids  FR 
• 'Heterosexism' Under Attack in Canada  FR 
• Challenging the Homosexual Fury In Our Government   FR 
• Fistgate 
• From Tolerance to Affirmation: One School's Experi 
• Gay Activists Training Teachers in Special Curricu 
• (Gay) School Days 
• Gay School Teacher Initially Booked with Almost 40 
• Kids Get Graphic Instruction In Homosexual Sex 
• "Making Schools Safe" Means "Refashioning Values" 
• NEA And GLSEN Seek To Stifle Free Speech 
• Schools Could Be Sued For Teaching About Homosexua 
• Texas A&M gay group wishes death on Republicans 
• Unsafe at Any Grade  FR 

  Homosexual Agenda Index

  Homosexual Agenda Keyword Search

  All FreeRepublic Bump Lists

[EdReform]

"Queering Elementary Education: Advancing the Dialogue about Sexualities and Schooling, Edited by William J. Letts IV and James T. Sears, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 1999, 291 pages"

An excerpt from:

Book Review - Queering Elementary Education: Advancing the Dialogue about Sexualities in Schooling

Progressive Perspectives
Vol. 4, No. 1, John Dewey Project on Progressive Education, Spring 2002
College of Education and Social Services, University of Vermont

"Queering Elementary Education is unique because as it's title suggests it does not apologize for the stance that it takes, nor does it wallow in the problems of being homosexual in a heterosexist society. It is a book all educators should read whether they are elementary school teachers, administrators, or college professors. It challenges assumptions about how we view education and how we view caring for children. Edited by William J. Letts IV and James T. Sears, it offers many perspectives on the various aspects of elementary education and the myriad ways it is heterosexist.

In the first chapter James T. Sears proposes several ideas that appear throughout the book: speaking the unspoken by teaching about queer issues in elementary school, homosexuality as part of the human condition, and asserting that heterosexism and homophobia are acquired or learned beliefs. Bickmore asks, "why discuss sexuality in elementary school?” and answers “given the amount of (mis)information about gender relations and sexuality that flows freely these days in public spaces, media and peer groups, elementary educators could not prevent children from acquiring sexual information even if they wanted to do so"(p. 15). These concepts as well as others are discussed in various ways throughout the book..."

An excerpt from:

Queering Elementary Education - Book Review By Jack Nichols, GayToday.com

"Probably no other title in the pantheon of liberationist literature will evoke more controversy than Queering Elementary Education. If there was an unseemly uproar over Daddy's Roommate and Heather Has Two Mommies, just wait till the Religious Reich spies this august tome on some thoughtful teacher's shelf.

Its editors, both educators, have provided what some see as a companion volume to the award-winning film, It's Elementary. They take it for granted that children in the earliest grades have already been introduced "through schoolyard and media" to the concept of same sex love and affection, that most remain confused about it and that it is best to begin demystification processes early in life rather than allowing mistaken perceptions to take root.

It's Elementary's producer, Debra Chasnof, exults: "What a relief to finally have such a thoughtful collection of essays and research to back up what we've found in schools across the nation... an examination of the ways children's lives are hurt by homophobia and an inspiring array of strategies educators can use to turn this problem around."...

The American Pediatric Association recently called for the teaching of sexuality to begin by the middle of elementary school. Dr. Sears requests that Queering readers remember that "by the time boys and girls have become teenagers they have well-developed gender and sexual scripts: how boys and girls should behave, who makes up a family, and so on. These become our cultural straightjackets that cultivate the homophobia and sexism we see in the adult world."

"Rather than focussing on reducing such prejudices, shouldn't we consider how not to instill, foster, or intensify these prejudices in the first place?" he asks. Queering Elementary Education begins with "Foundational Issues" answering queries such as "Why Discuss Sexuality in Elementary School?".

The book's second section deals with children's sexual and social development, including supposed effects of being taught by openly gay teachers. Part three looks at possible curriculums, examining and critiquing the "heteronormative nature of elementary school science." Part four deals with family ties while the final section examines educators and their allies..."

[Adder]

So I take it you disagree with some of the quoted sources? how's come?

[Ga Rob]

"who are mentally retarded, tend to think in such literal terms that they "really sometimes do have trouble grasping these ideas" that "a family can have two moms or two dads"...

I guess I'm retarded now as well as being a racist, homophobe, bigot!!!!

[ladylib]

I've heard of that happening before. Either the kid never gets to take the textbook home or the teacher tells the kid not to discuss what they learned in class that day.

[Noumenon]

Everything she said and showed me was a lie.

Did you confront the liar? Get in her face in a public manner? That's what it takes.

[JonathansMommie]

You got to be kidding me..are these people on crack? U know my Mother in law would like that.

[Scothia]

A family I knew that lived in the Clyde/North Rose school district (northeast of Rochester) in the late 80's had the heartwarming experience of sending their 16 year-old daughter to what they thought was a field trip to a museum. Instead, the girls in her class were takent to Planned Parenthood and fitted for diaphragms. After that, they were told not to tell their parents, because it was a privacy issue. The girl went right home and told her mom and dad.

I don't know what legal action they took, but I do know that from the next day on all their kids were homeschooled.

[ladylib]

Whoever did that should have been brought up on charges. There have been cases where school administrators take pregnant girls to abortion clinics without the parents knowledge.

Many public schools are doing a very good job of putting a wedge between parents and kids.

[Noumenon]

So are you in full agreement with the material and the agendas advanced at the workshop you mention in your post? Simple question - are you willing to field it and defend your answer?

[Scothia]

Did you confront the liar? Get in her face in a public manner? That's what it takes.

The school closed ranks. And I was a lot less an activist than I am now; at the time I just let it go. All I wanted was to get my kid out of there.

[ladylib]

Check out this site:

http://www.edwatch.org/

Scroll down the left side of the page until you come to "Battlefield Quotes" and click on that.

This is what public education is all about, and it is succeeding beyond its wildest dreams.

[netmilsmom]

No, this is how it is in the public schools. Thank God you have free K12 in Ohio.

[iconoclast]

Thank God you have free K12 in Ohio.

??????????????

[Remedy]

my size 10 in a baseball shoe.