Thursday, September 28, 2006
You're kidding.
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/09/092606philly.htm
Gay History Month Angers Philadelphia Parentsby 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
September 26, 2006 - 3:00 pm ET
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) October is LGBT History month but noting it on the Philadelphia school district's calendar has irked some parents. The district sends copies of the calendar to the homes of students and some parents say the reference is promoting sex.
"Gay and Lesbian Month? That's sexuality - that's a preference," Nicola Rucker, 41, a mother of two students, ages 9 and 11, told the Philadelphia News..
"In elementary school, most 8- and 9-year-olds don't understand that," she said. "Everybody raises their kids differently. I don't want my 9-year-old son learning about this stuff unless he's old enough to come to me and ask."
The calendar also angered Addie Williams, the vice president of the Philadelphia Home and School Council.
"As a parent, I do understand why they would want to include everyone," Williams told the news. "But... I personally would not want to announce that or include that in a public setting because I believe in a man and a woman - a mother-and-a-father household."
Cecilia Cummings, a spokesperson for the district defends History Month saying it is no different than recognizing months devoted to the history or heritage of African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians.
"The school district maintains and upholds Policy 102, which is a multiracial, multicultural gender-education policy," she said. "Basically, it's a policy intent on fostering knowledge and respect for people of all races, ethnic groups, social classes, genders, religions, disabilities and sexual orientations."
LGBT History month began in 1995 as means of teaching younger gays about their heritage.
"In our schools systems we learn all types of history - American history, Egyptology, the history of the civil rights movement and the important reason for gay history month is that young people in schools need to know they have a heritage and culture that goes back hundreds of years," Mark Segal the publisher of Philadelphia Gay News told 365Gay.com.
"In areas where kids are being bullied at least they know there are other gays out there."
Segal said the complaints are coming from from a very small number of parents.
"Here in Philadelphia we are very lucky to have the mass part of our citizens supporting the LGBT community. This is a very small number of people," he said.
Segal has just completed editing a month long series of stories marking LGBT History month that includes articles by Congressman Barney Frank, Martina Navratilova and writer/performer Bruce Vilanch.
Allright. Now that the background is here. . .
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!?!
I had to get that out.
We were talking about this at youth group yesterday. Yes, I am a proud Christian, I do not believe in the DaVinci Code BS, and I believe that homosexuality is against my beliefs although I have many friends who are gay or lesbian, and I believe that I am still called to be tolerant. . . however, this is going too far!
What they're doing is pulling the whole "Minority" thing. Minority - a group differing in race, religion, or ethnic background, from the majority of a population. RACE, RELIGION, OR ETHNICITY. I don't consider homosexuality a race, religion, or ethnic group.
Refutation of Points:
- "The school district maintains and upholds Policy 102, which is a multiracial, multicultural gender-education policy," she said. "Basically, it's a policy intent on fostering knowledge and respect for people of all races, ethnic groups, social classes, genders, religions, disabilities and sexual orientations."
- ^^^^^^^^^Yeah. OK. I'll believe that. We aren't supposed to discriminate against all them. But a multiracial, multicultural gender-education policy teaches about races and cultures, not sexual preferences.
- Cecilia Cummings, a spokesperson for the district defends History Month saying it is no different than recognizing months devoted to the history or heritage of African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians.
- ^^^^^^^^^Except that it is different. African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians are races, NOT sexual preferences. You can't choose to be African-American, Hispanic, or Asian. You can choose to be homosexual. And what history? Will they teach of the Romans, or gay monarchs of Europe?
- LGBT History month began in 1995 as means of teaching younger gays about their heritage."In our schools systems we learn all types of history - American history, Egyptology, the history of the civil rights movement and the important reason for gay history month is that young people in schools need to know they have a heritage and culture that goes back hundreds of years,"
- ^^^^^^^^Let's back up, shall we? American history is important. Egyptology is important. The Civil Rights Movement is important. GAY HISTORY is NOT. The other three you don't learn (except for the CRM) in the context of other classes. Roman, Greek, Renaissance, European, and American history can all cover gay history. We don't need a whole month dedicated to it.
- "In areas where kids are being bullied at least they know there are other gays out there." Segal said the complaints are coming from from a very small number of parents."Here in Philadelphia we are very lucky to have the mass part of our citizens supporting the LGBT community. This is a very small number of people," he said.
- ^^^^^^^^So are all kids who get bullied are gay? I was bullied, but I'm entirely straight. In fact, I don't think I could be a lesbian. Something just grosses me out about the whole thing. And the reason only a small group is complaining is because the others don't care (Come on, this is Philly here, they're wracked in gang warfare right now) enough about what their kids hear in school. The ones who are complaining have a reason to. They're probably Christians who see this as wrong. Just like prayer in school to atheists was wrong. DUH. If one woman got prayer in schools kicked out, a small group of parents can do much more.
- Gays don't need recognition. With all the stir they cause, they get enough. There is no point to having a gay history month.
Whew. OK. I got that out. I absolutely had to, or it would have driven me mad.
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