Posted on 03/13/2007 5:51:57 AM PDT by A. Pole
Children as young as four are being given storybooks featuring gay families in a £600,000 Government-funded scheme being launched in primary schools across the country.
The scheme was branded "outrageous and thoroughly wicked" by Christian and Muslim groups who likened it to a form of child abuse by making homosexuality appear normal.
But supporters say children need to be shown that homosexuality is a part of everday life and help in reducing homophobic bullying in the playground.
One of the stories is a fairytale about a prince who turns down three princesses, before he falls on love with one of their brothers and they marry in a book entitled 'King & King.'
Another 'Spacegirl Pukes' features a spacegirl about to set off on a mission but falls ill and her two mothers, mummy Loula and mummy Neenee, take her home. They nurse her back to health and she then dons her spacesuit and jets off.
Another called 'And Tango Makes Three' feature two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who feel left out when all the other penguins pair up in a New York zoo.
Forced to spend time together, they fall in love and a zookeeper gives them an egg which they incubate, from which Tango hatches and becomes the first penguin with two daddies.
The No Outsiders project is being launched in 14 schools North East, the South West, London and the Midlands.
Director Elizabeth Atkinson said: "The most important thing these books do is reflect reality for young children.
"My background is in children's literature and I know how powerful it is in shaping social values and emotional development. What books do not say is as important as what they do."
Ms Atkinson says there has been overwhelming support for the work, including from the National Union of Teachers and General Teaching Council, to incorporate the books into classrooms.
High street book chain Waterstone's has confirmed it will stock the titles if the project is successful.
The controversial book project comes just before new laws next month that mean all British schools have to promote equality for all pupils and staff.
She continued: "We have not been contacted by religious groups who object to the project - we have had nothing but positive support from schools and local authorities.
"Both homosexual and heterosexual parents have also been positive. There will always be objections, but schools have a duty to promote equality and there are no exceptions."
Ms Atkinson claimed that leaving images of gay relationships out of children's books was "silencing a social message", and could end up with children being bullied later in their school lives if they were gay or were perceived as gay.
No Outsiders, run by Sunderland and Exeter universities and London's Institute of Education have not revealed which schools are using the books, but faith group Christian Voice has vowed to track them down and organise a protest to ban them.
Christian Voice director Stephen Green said: "The arrogance of people like Elizabeth Atkinson, using children as guinea pigs is outrageous and thoroughly wicked."
"I am astonished at this project and we are trying to find out where these schools are to empower parents to put pressure on them to remove the books.
"The intention is to make homosexuality appear normal and these people have no business doing that to other people's children. It is wicked and amounts to child abuse.
"The more you normalise homosexuality, and the more kids see images of homosexual relationships from schoolbooks and authority figures the more kids think any crushes they have on children of the same sex - which is quite normal at 11 years old - are valid."
Tahir Alam, education spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain agreed. He said: "This is not consistent with Islamic teachings and from our point of view many parents would be concerned."
However, the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) claimed the anti-gay views are from a minority of Christians.
Reverend Martin Reynolds said: "These books appear to handle the matter of same-sex parenting sensitively.
"Lesbian and gay children and those with same-sex parents may still experience hostility and bullying, these books will offer some help in that direction.
"It is sad that some religious groups remain determined to stigmatise these young people and their families and to reinforce homophobic prejudice.
"They seem to be saying that any mention of homosexuality in a book is being considered as promotion of homosexuality, and that is worrying and dangerous and give the impression that Christians are united against this, but mainstream groups and churches would see this positive imaging of homosexuals as good.
"My partner and I already have one child and look forward to two more later in the year. We shall certainly be buying these books for our kids to read."
Forced to spend time together, they fall in love and a zookeeper gives them an egg which they incubate, from which Tango hatches and becomes the first penguin with two daddies.
This is actually based on a true story, though I think in real life one of the two male penguins dumped the other when an accommodating female penguin caught his eye.
True story!
What, you haven't heard? Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, Paul's use of the word was mistranslated, and God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for having a lack of hospitality.
Aghhh. This article made me want to retch...
So THIS is what happens when we take all notions of God out of society.
^However, the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) claimed the anti-gay views are from a minority of Christians.
And from the Bible. Don't forget that. Or doesn't it matter?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Also, out of all those who "call" themselves Christians, only a minority of them have a true relationship with Jesus Christ and they actually read and study the bible. That could be why such a small percentage actually speak with boldness. I do wish though that the Christians who do speak the truth about homosexuality being sin, do so with love!Afterall, homosexuality is no greater sin than lying or adultery.
Yep, the Tango book is based on a 100% true story.
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