Groups opposed to the new sexual education curriculum in Montgomery County Public Schools are asking a Circuit Court judge to prevent controversial lessons on homosexuality from being taught until an appeal can be heard early next year.

The motion, filed this week in Rockville, is the latest volley in a two-year battle between the county and three groups: Citizens For A Responsible Curriculum, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, and the Family Leader Network.

Lawyer and CRC President John Garza on Thursday told The Examiner a hearing date has not yet been set on its most recent motion, filed Tuesday.

The particular lessons, which are planned for all county eighth- and 10th-graders in health courses, are not scheduled to be taught until sometime in October, he said, well before a January hearing in Circuit Court on the opponents’ appeal.

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That appeal challenges the state board’s decision this summer upholding the county’s approval of sexual education curriculum that Garza called “blatant discrimination against certain religious groups” because of its treatment of homosexuality.

The parents disagree with the lessons on three main points:

» The accuracy of the lessons, specifically their teaching that homosexuality is innate;

» The fact that anal sex is not distinguished as being more dangerous than vaginal sex;

» That it teaches being against homosexuality makes someone homophobic, even if the objection is on religious grounds.

“This is a moral issue that flies in the face of most religions in the United States. Most religions in the United States still believe that homosexuality is sinful,” Garza said. “The information provided to students is dangerous and inaccurate.”

Schools spokesman Brian Edwards disagreed.

“We believe that they are bringing up the same arguments again, forcing the taxpayers of Montgomery County to spend thousands of dollars to defend what’s already been decided,” Edwards said.

Still, the case is gaining attention of national groups.

Last week, Lambda Legal, which represents the rights of gays and lesbians, filed a notice in support of the county on behalf of Metro D.C. PFLAG, an advocacy group. Hayley Gorenberg, deputy legal director for Lambda Legal, told The Examiner that her group views the updated curriculum as healthy.

It was formulated “in a smart, responsible way, with a lot of input,” she said.

OPTING OUT

Montgomery County has long required parents or guardians of all students attending health classes, including sexual education curriculum, to sign a paper giving them permission to attend, spokesman Brian Edwards said. Children whose parents choose not to allow them to take the controversial lessons are given supplemental instruction in other health curriculum, he said. Parents will also have the opportunity to attend information sessions, complete with all videos and supplements, that their children will receive during the sex ed portions of the course.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com