Teaching about homosexuality in North American public schools

Court decision concerning a
Maryland sex-ed course

Sponsored link.

Overview:

Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland developed a "Revised Curriculum" for use in its middle and high schools in Montgomery County, MD.  The course was to be evaluated in six of its schools -- three middle and three high schools on 2005-MAY-09.  It was suspended in response to a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams Jr.  Baptist Press reported that: "The curriculum -- aimed at eighth- and 10th-graders -- claims that Jesus 'said absolutely nothing at all about homosexuality' and that being homosexual is similar to being left-handed. It notes that some Baptist churches once defended racial segregation, implying that conservative Baptists today are on the wrong side of history. It also says that future generations likely will view today's traditional beliefs on homosexuality with 'astonishment' and that "religion has often been misused to justify hatred and oppression."

About the course:

According to a report in Focus on the Family's web site, some parents strongly object to two video presentations which form part of the Revised Curriculum. The video allegedly tackles two of the major deterrents that young people have when they have decided to become sexually active and want to prevent STD transmission and pregnancy. They are:

The video tells students that "buying condoms isn't as scary as you might think...Sometimes it is hard to choose, though, and it can be a little overwhelming at first." It offers suggestions on how to select the "right condom." There is a second video presentation in which a woman recommends abstinence as the preferred sexual option. But in the event that a person decides to be sexually active, she demonstrates the use of a condom by rolling one over a cucumber.

A conservative Christian legal defense organization, Liberty Counsel, represented two conservative groups: Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays.

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. Michael Foust, "Pro-homosexuality curriculum in Md. schools blocked by fed. judge, citing anti-faith bias," Baptist Press, 2005-MAY-06, at: http://www.bpnews.net/
2. "Civil Action No. AW-05-1194," United States District Court for the District of Maryland; Southern division, 2005-MAY-05, at: http://www.mdd.uscourts.gov/ This is a PDF file. You may require software to read it. Software can be obtained free from: 
3. Steve Jordahl, "Parents oppose graphic sex-ex class. Lawsuit filed to stop implementation of pro-gay curriculum. " Focus on the Family, 2005-MAY-05, at: http://www.family.org/

Copyright © 2005 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally posted: 2005-MAY-08
Latest update: 2005-MAY-08
Author: B.A. Robinson