Homosexual Agenda Being Promoted In Schoolsby Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger 31 Aug 2006 04:27 PM I personally feel that homosexuality is wrong. I do not hate those that are involved in it. But I do not feel that my children or I should be required to respect and appreciate it. Tolerate it maybe. Yet many lawmakers around the country are promoting homosexual agendas in our schools. A recent bill was passed in California that prohibits "teachers, textbooks, instructional materials and all school-sponsored activities (sports, the prom, etc.) from reflecting adversely upon homosexuals, bisexuals, and transsexuals." Karen England a member of Capital Resource Institute, which promotes laws that preserve family values, comments on the broadness of the law saying, "As it is written, SB 1437 could very well prohibit a teacher making remarks in favor of traditional marriage because that 'reflects adversely' on homosexuals. It could also ban textbooks that illustrate only families with moms and dads instead of two moms or two dads." Currently the California Teachers Association is supporting a bill that would require that history textbooks be rewritten to "include and highlight homosexual and transsexual historical figures." Saying that, "Curriculum should address the common values of the society; promote respect for diversity and cooperation; and prepare the learner to compete in, and cope with a complex and rapidly evolving society." So according to the CTA homosexuality is a "common value" of society. When in fact most of the country does not embrace the practice. As far as I'm concerned if those people they want to add did not contribute enough to be in the textbook in the first place then they shouldn't be added just because of their gender preference. Likewise if a homosexual person did achieve something worthy of the textbooks then they should be added because of their achievement not because of the their gender orientation. The focus should be on achievement not sexual preference. Family organizations are currently working to stop the passing of SB 1437. How about your preschooler receiving information about homosexuals in school or at daycare? The Together Project is trying to do just that. They are promoting a free workshop titled "Teaching Tolerance through Multicultural Literature." The workshop presents information to teachers about how to "promote tolerance of homosexuality in the pre-school environment." The producers feel that "teaching tolerance outright in the curriculum is as fundamental and as far-reaching as teaching children how to read." So now it is as important for my children to embrace homosexuality as it is for them to learn to read? That's exactly what homosexual activists believe. Karen England of CRI says, "They believe that education should be shoved aside because indoctrination is more important. They believe that children must be taught to agree with their agenda, regardless of what their parents say or religious beliefs dictate." The School Board of Provincetown Massachusetts obviously agrees with the gay agenda since they decided that preschoolers in their district need to be taught about homosexual lifestyles. They are also promoting hiring preferences for "sexual minorities." Then there is the San Diego Cooperative Charter School that permitted elementary school children to march in a Gay Pride parade under a school banner. The school allowed children to march in a demonstration where convicted pedophiles were employed as volunteers and staff supervisors. As the children marched they were accompanied by "nearly nude men and women in graphic sexualized demonstrations, a man in a g-string passing out goodies, and a car filled with men advertising for RentBoy, a male escort service." Where were those children's parents? The city of New York just opened a public high school that is only for homosexuals. Isn't this a blatant act of discrimination against those who aren't homosexual? How can a city that is facing a financial crisis justify spending $3.2 million on a school for about 100 students? Michael Long, chairman of the New York Conservative Party asks, "What are the criteria for being a teacher or a principal? Do they have to be gay? Will straight students be allowed to enroll if they live across the street? Do the students go on to all-gay colleges and work environments because they are harassed?" The answer is simple the city is feeling pressure from pro-homosexual groups and government officials. The center of our country is also dealing with gay agendas in schools. In Minnesota a students was suspended for wearing a sweatshirt that said, "Straight Pride" on the front and featured a man and woman holding hands on the back. Unbeknownst to parents and the PTA the school also had 50 classrooms featuring pink flags that meant the classroom was a "safe" zone where students could talk to a teacher about their sexuality and get a referral to a pro-homosexual counselor outside of the school. After the case about the sweatshirt school officials agreed to modify the triangles and "add symbols for racial and religious equality as well as equality for those with disabilities." I find it appalling that homosexuality is being so blatantly forced upon America's children, my children. That teaching about gay rights is as important as teaching students to read. What happened to teaching family values? What happened to the values that our country was founded upon.? How do you feel about the gay agenda in American schools? For more information about the topic read the articles below. The Risk of "Gay" Activism in Our Schools Homosexual School More About Social Policy Than Socialization Homosexual Agenda Escalates in Public Schools Learn more about Teresa McEntire  Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years. Relevantparenting tags User Comments  mommytotwo (526) 31 Aug 2006 04:43 PMPersonally, this is a touchy topic for me, because I strongly believe in teaching tolerance and acceptance of everyone starting at a young age. Do I have a problem with my son's preschool teaching him to accept gay people? Not at all, because I know that it wouldn't be the only thing that he would be learning about. I believe the earlier it is taught, the better. I want my sons to grow up learning that anyone can be a family and what makes family values isn't who makes up that family, but how you live as a family and what you do for others. I want my sons to learn that two daddies and children can be a family, I want them to know that it is okay to have two mommies. To me, family values aren't just traditional mom, dad and 2.5 kids, at least not in this day and age. I don't want my kids to ever think someone is weird or wrong for what they are, and I personally think if schools need to teach that, then they do. I guess I don't see anything wrong with schools touching on a topic we have already started discussing at home. I don't know of any schools in my area that are teaching about gay people, and I don't see that happening for a long time, but if it were to happen, I would be okay with it. I am sure others feel just as strongly in the opposite direction as I do. I do have to say I am a bit appalled at children marching in Gay Pride parades with men in g-strings and pedophiles were, but I have to say if their parents were aware of it, that causes me to change my mind. Anyway, I am sure this topic will stir up quite a bit of controversy and I may be one of the lone liberals on this site, but I really do believe that teaching children about homosexuality at an early age makes for a more accepting society, because let's face it, being gay is a fact of life these days, so why not teach acceptance of it?  Megan Bayliss (3586) 31 Aug 2006 07:16 PMFamilies come in all shapes and sizes and I agree with Kaye that schools will also be teaching other things as well. Many gay people have extremely strong family values. The ones you may be seeing flaunting their stuff are no different to the hetrosexuals that also flaunt their stuff and get into swapping, swinging or what ever other terms are used. We are all people, despite our sexual preferences. My children have always known about same sex relationships and they would be in trouble if they were ever disrespectful to a gay or lesbian person because of that person's orientation. So Kaye, your not a lone liberal. I stand for the rights of all people, not just people like me.  Valorie Delp (49340) 31 Aug 2006 07:32 PMI have two comments but I'll make them separately because they are on opposite ends of the spectrum. With regards to high schools in New York City: they do not work the way they do every where else. There is a high school specifically for the performing arts, one for singing, one for acting, one for science, one for under water basket weaving. . .ad nauseum. You do not go to high school here based on where you live but rather where you get in. That's just how it works. So. . .given that they have high schools for religous freedom (public schools--not private), and other political agendas. . .the gay high school makes more sense. I'm not saying I'm for it. . .I just wanted to point out that it's not out of step with other things happening in the city. Valorie Delp (49340) 31 Aug 2006 07:38 PMMy second comment: Yes I have a problem with my preschoolers being taught about homosexuality! What (& when for that matter) I want to teach my children about sex is MY decision. I would never allow my children to be disrespectful to anyone--period. However, because some parents would--doesn't mean the school should begin taking over parents' jobs. Misty (981) 31 Aug 2006 07:55 PMI do not want my young kids taught about any kind of sexuality, hetero-, homo-, or otherwise! There are so many other things elementary school kids need to be learning about! Sure, teach them to love and respect other people, but why even mention different sexual persuasions? To my way of thinking, young kids don't need that kind of information.  babydawn (7008) 31 Aug 2006 07:56 PMFirst, I have to agree with Theresa. I don't have much to add except that this is a slippery slope. Whats next? I have read a few articles about polygamist families hoping that the gay marriage amendment passes eventually because that would take their case for making polygamy legal one step closer to reality. (If Jack can have two daddies, then why can't Mary have two mommies and a daddy.) I don't understand why we have to promote "tolerance" at all. I teach my children that they are to treat EVERYONE (no exceptions) with kindness and respect. The old school GOLDEN RULE. babydawn (7008) 31 Aug 2006 07:57 PMValorie and Misty! Thank you! Seriously, why do we need to teach our elementary school children about sexuality at all? We shouldn't, that is a parents role. mommytotwo (526) 01 Sep 2006 06:23 AMYou see, unfortunately in today's world, so many parents aren't teaching them about sexuality and sexual orientation...at all. We had several of our 8th grade students end up pregnant where I was teaching..their parents never taught them a thing, and now they have kids the age of my own children. I teach my children about sexual orientation and sexuality in my home, and I don't have a problem with the school teaching it either. To be honest, sexual talks need to start early, and if the home environment isn't doing it, which many aren't, then schools need to teach it...who else is going to? My old district recently started sex-ed discussions, nothing too in depth or major, with elementary age students, in order to try and curb this early pregnancy problem. I am so glad that parents on here teach their child to love everyone, teaching them about sexuality and tolerance, unfortunately that isn't the case in a lot of areas, because parents just are't doing it, at all. Valorie Delp (49340) 01 Sep 2006 06:58 AMLOL Kaye, you probably know what I'm going to say but. . . I disagree. I don't think the schools should be doing it--even though I fully recognize that some parents aren't either. It's interesting to me that as a nation, we're so concerned about academics. . .we're last in just about everything. I think part of that is because teachers focus (as mandated) on things parents should be doing. Just because a parent isn't doing their job--doesn't make the teacher obligated. Furthermore, the flaw that I see in this argument is what about my kids? I DO teach them about respecting people. I DO teach them about sexuality--as I see appropriate. Why then, because Jane's mom doesn't teach her kids, should my child be subjected to sit in a class and learn about viewpoints that I may disagree with? Perhaps if the schools (in general) spent more time teaching reading and math rather than that Heather has two mommies and we should all be okay with it--their scores would be higher!? The other flaw I see in the argument is that schools teaching these things infringes on my rights as a parent. Just because I want my children to respect everyone--doesn't mean that I believe they have to "tolerate" everything. I should not have to subject my child to things that I find morally wrong just because Jane's mom didn't teach her better. I honestly feel, (and I know I'm living in a dream world when I say this) that schools would do so much better in dealing with these issues by addressing parents. Parents. . .teach your kids about sex. Parents. . .teach your children to respect everyone. That way, me and Heather's two mommies can sit in the same auditorium, and receive the same information and give it to our children according to our own world views. The only way that children will learn to be respectful, by the way, is if the parents are modeling it at home. Parents are so much more responsible for their child's behavior than the 'mainstream' is willing to admit. . .  Teresa McEntire (2984) 01 Sep 2006 07:08 AMTeaching parents to teach their kids is a great idea, although the parents that most need it probably won't show up for the class. I do feel as many of you do that sexuality should be something taught in the home. Then every child receives the education that their parent feels is appropriate. That is why I wrote the blog in the first place. I feel that children should not be exposed to subjects that their parents feel inappropriate. Respect and love for all is what I teach my children, but they do not need to accept and embrace homosexuality. I believe sex ed is something that should not be taught any sooner than 6th grade, and at that point it should be an abstinence only program, but that's a subject for another blog. Valorie Delp (49340) 01 Sep 2006 08:33 AMOh Teresa I know parents wouldn't show up. That's why I said I realize I'm living in a dream world. But the schools are not responsible to pick up where the parent leaves off.  Tristi Pinkston (10839) 01 Sep 2006 02:28 PMWow -- lots of good points made on both sides. It's unfortunate that so many children are being raised in homes where the parents aren't seeing to their basic education when it comes to sex. I think that far too many parents feel that if their child is going to learn it at school, they don't have a need to teach it at home. That said, what is a school for? A school is to teach reading, writing, and 'rithmetic. I don't think it's an appropriate place to discuss sexuality, of any sort. Each child is ready for that information at a different age. Let's borrow Jane for a moment, if I can. Let's say Jane is a little more mature and she hears about sex at school. She handles it, life is good. But then you have Sally, who's not ready. Sally is in the same class, but Sally is overwhelmed and not sure how to deal with the information she's been given. It should be Sally's mother/father's job to decide when Sally is emotionally secure enough. My daughter isn't as emotionally advanced as other girls her age. I don't know what she would do with that information if she had it. I know; I'm rambling. I'll shut up now. :) Megan Bayliss (3586) 01 Sep 2006 02:54 PMHi all I did a blog a few days ago on parents talking to their children about sexuality. If your interested it can be found in the Mental Health blogs: http://mental-health.families.com/blog/talking-with-children-about-sexuality . Misty (981) 01 Sep 2006 04:17 PMI think if more parents took to time to build a solid foundation of religion, faith, and morals, there would be no need for sex education. Call me a dreamer if you want, but that is a parent's job! Why is it okay to just have kids, not teach them anything, and then throw them out into the world? And I do not want my kids taught about birth control, either. I don't want them receiving condoms in school. They are being taught to respect themselves and to value their bodies. When they are old enough, they will learn that sex is a special gift between married people. Call me crazy, call me naive, but I think THAT is the kind of sex ed kids need! Sherry Holetzky (11404) 02 Sep 2006 08:08 AMTeresa, Valorie, Misty, Dawn, and Tristi, good points! I agree completely. Let parents be parents and let schools teach academics. I am all for treating everyone with kindness and dignity, but that doesn't mean we have to agree with, or promote, their choices. There is definitely an agenda in play here, and that's what really bothers me. Teach tolerance across the board for everyone (which is what tolerance should be about) but don't promote certain lifestyles/races/religions etc. Teresa McEntire (2984) 05 Sep 2006 12:00 PMExactly Sherry. If the schools were teaching tolerance and providing information about loving and accepting those of every race Hispanic, Black, European, Oriental etc, and of every religion Jew, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, etc. then I wouldn't have as much a problem with it. The thing is that the "tolerance" programs are focusing primarily on homosexuals who make up a minority of our population and ignoring the issues that I feel are really important like racial and religious tolerance.  dpenna (542) 07 Sep 2006 06:11 PMDiscriminating against gays by keeping their highlights out of history books is akin to keeping blacks, redheads, and people with blue eyes out of the books as well. Research is showing that homosexuality (and other deviations) have an origin in genetics. In my opinion, which is supported by science, homosexuals do not choose their orientation, but rather, they are born that way. Including it in a history book does not mean the schools endorse or promote the activity. After all, we learned about Hitler and Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor and many other wars. Does that mean we are promoting Germans who kill Jews or the killing of innocent Japanese? It's up to the parent to instill values in the child, but it's up to the schools to EDUCATE the kids, and I'm glad California is progressive in teaching our kids about the world they live in, whether or not they choose to participate or agree or tolerate. What I can't tolerate is when people believe their beliefs are the one and only "right" way to live. Nobody has the right to be the judge of others. Misty (981) 08 Sep 2006 02:10 PMDiane, I can't speak for everyone here, but I, for one, am not suggesting that the achievements of homosexuals be kept out of history books!!! No one's achievements should be undermined. I simply don't want my children taught about anyone's sex life. I mean, does a history book really need to discuss sexuality in any form? I think not. And, whether homosexuality is a deviant behavior or a genetic predisposition is irrelevant to me. I think parents are the ones who should decide when and what to teach kids about sex. dpenna (542) 08 Sep 2006 05:36 PMHi Misty. I agree with you about teaching kids about sex. However, I don't see how mentioning the acheivements of homosexuals is teaching kids about sex. I just think that what the CTA wants to do has been misinterpreted to mean that there is some sort of promotion of a homosexuals' orientation, which is not the case. Because a textbook mentions the anti-abortion movement does not mean it is promoting either for or against abortion. And if you're wondering if your child will say "what is a homosexual," I can bet you the mention of gays in textbooks will be at an age-appropriate level. If your junior high or high school student doesn't know that there are different types of sexual orientation by then, they are living in a bubble in my opinion. Telling a child (at whatever age you deem appropriate) that "some men fall in love with men instead of women" is not teaching them anything about sex. Because of course, people seem to forget that homosexuality is more than just a deviation of bedroom behavior...it's a choice made about who they want to love. The sex is secondary, just as in any relationship. To reiterate my main point -- I think everything the schools are doing to promote tolerance and inclusion is not meant to endorse any behavior or teach kids about sex. It is meant to avoid lawsuits by gays who are abused, taunted, misunderstood, and otherwise discriminated against in schools, and later in life. However, for some reason, people keep wanting to believe that all gays want to push their agenda on everyone else, which is not the case. Teresa McEntire (2984) 11 Sep 2006 07:31 AMOne of my sister's best friends from highschool is now gay. We treat him exactly the same. When we get together he doesn't talk about his sex life because he knows that although we care about him we don't support his choices in life. Learning about homosexuals in school doesn't mean that children will tolerate them. They are more likely to take their parents opinion over any text book. This has been proven in other areas of religious and racial discrimination. Schools need to be focusing on what school is about reading, writing, and arithmetic. Preparing students for a job and higher education. It is a parents responsibility to teach tolerance, respect, and sex ed. As far as text books go a homosexuals achievements should be put in but their is no need to mention that they are homosexual. Just like it shouldn't matter if a person was Mexican, Native American, Jew, Black or White. If they achieved something the achievement is what matters not anything else, their being homosexual shouldn't make their achievement any greater.  Melissa J (13710) 11 Sep 2006 08:16 AMTheresa, whoa girl! you got a hot topic that I appreciate you taking the time to blog on! I have to agree wtih Misty and Babydawn. What's next for our society? Good reason to stay involved in your child's education. MJ Remembering the victims and fallen heros of 9/11 http://members.families.com/mj7/blog Community Tags education, school, sex education Discuss this article
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