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New sex-ed appeal filed in Montgomery court
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Montgomery County (Map, News) - As the start of the school year inches closer, several conservative groups are continuing their push to block new sexual education teachings from making their way into Montgomery County eighth- and 10th-grade classrooms.
The three groups that two years ago successfully sued Montgomery County Public Schools along with the Michigan-based Thomas More Law Center have filed a notice of appeal asking a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge to re-examine the Maryland Education Board’s refusal to block the curriculum.
Law center spokesman Brian Rooney said the goal, as it has been all along, is to “get back to the drawing board” and come up with new lessons.
The appeal objects to the controversial curriculum for three reasons:
» The accuracy of the lessons, specifically teaching as fact that homosexuality is innate;
» The fact that anal sex is not distinguished as more dangerous than vaginal sex;
» That it teaches being against homosexuality makes someone homophobic, even if the objection is on religious grounds.
“Since the previous lawsuit, they’ve changed the language a little bit, but we don’t believe it’s enough to get around the basic finding that religious groups are homophobic,” Rooney said Thursday.
Earlier this spring, the groups challenged the material — which delves into homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism — at the state level. However, State Schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick ruled in favor of Montgomery County Public Schools, which led to another failed challenge at the state board level. Rooney said the law allows for another appeal in county Circuit Court. This time, a judge will make the determination.
Chief school spokesman Brian Edwards said the group’s latest legal filing doesn’t change any plans to introduce the eighth- and 10th-grade sex-ed lessons in the fall.
dlevitz@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
10:53 AM MST on Thu., Sep. 20, 2007 re: "Parents ask judge to obstruct lessons on homosexuality until appeal in ’08"
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9:39 AM MST on Sun., Sep. 9, 2007
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4:58 AM MST on Fri., Sep. 7, 2007
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Examiner Reader said:
Your reporter needs to familiarize him/herself with proper terminology in sexuality education. To use the term "sexual education" to describe it is antiquated, uninformed and in some cases, biased. The proper terminology when referring to such a curriculum of instruction is "sexuality education, which is much broader than "sexual education," which implies "sexual instruction." Sexuality educators (especially those in school settings) almost never engage in "sexual instruction" (which is teaching people the proper ways to have sex). Teaching about homosexuality as a concept does not represent "sexual instruction." Please use more accurate and non-biased terminology in your future articles, so that readers are not reinforced in their fears and misconceptions about this topic. Thank you.
145 agree | 117 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Well I think it is just plain silly. If I had recieved these lessons when I was in school, I would have been so afraid, or ashamed of who I am. I would not have wasted so many years, fighting what I feel inside, down the very core of me. To all the parents out there, who either disagree with homosexuality, or of it being taught, I understand. But kids are going to find out about it some other way, why not give it to them in a frank, understandable manner, so that they may better understand themselves or classmates who are homosexual.
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Examiner Reader said:
I know I'm only echoing what has already been said. So we're dealing with people for whom it isn't enough that they have a right to decide what is and is not taught to their children. They insist on having authority over what is and is not taught to other people's children. Unbelievable! Of course, what it boils down to is they're determined to try (as futile as it is) to ensure the very notion of homosexuality never even enters their kids' minds. Too bad they can't deal with the very real fact that at least 10% of their "Christian" kids are already gay/lesbian and another 10-15% are already bisexual. How many of them will committ suicide because of their parents' churches' primitive thinking and dogmatic teaching.
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Examiner Reader said:
I guess these parents are afraid their teenagers might hear the real truth in the locker room instead of misconceptions that lead to conceptions. Our teens all need to be taught the scientific facts of life, but I've noticed that these parents are against science being taught in any classroom.
157 agree | 157 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If the parents do not want their children to attend the classes, just opt out! the kids can go in another class. But OH No! the religious fanatics want to completely control everything that is taught so that no one else has any other opinion. Are not the churches that way about everything? Its kind of like bad tv shows you dont like you can change the channel or turn it off but dont tell me what to watch!
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Examiner Reader said:
Thank GOD for rational parents!
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Examiner Reader said:
Garza complained the curriculum is “blatant discrimination against certain religious groups” and "flies in the face of most religions in the United States." Every cheeseburger and pork product served at school violates Jewish religious dietary law. Every uncovered head violates Islamic law. It is not the public school's responsibility to provide religious instruction and I don't believe most parents want their public schools trying to teach their kids religion. With denominations splitting up and rearranging themselves, religious instruction should be left up to the parents and the faith they choose to teach their children.
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Examiner Reader said:
The three main points are inaccurate. 1. The curriculum states “Sexual orientation is innate and a complex part of one's personality.” It does not single out homosexuality. 2. The "status quo" curriculum (which is supported by the groups that filed suit) also mentions anal sex in virtually the same way. The film made in 1993, "Hope is Not a Method" states "whether you’re having vaginal, oral, or anal sex, condoms should be used to protect both you and your partner." This advices is the same as that given by the CDC. 3. The curriculum states , “People sometimes stereotype others based on their beliefs. Just as stereotyping others based on sexuality is not an acceptable behavior, stereotyping others based on personal beliefs also is not acceptable.” Mr. Porter is right. This case has already been decided and found to lack merit. These anti-tolerance groups should stop wasting taxpayer money with their frivoulous lawsuits.
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