A question: why is it acceptable to promote abstinence in schools (abstinence is a particular take on sexual morality) but not acceptable to promote anti-homophobia messages in schools? One of the parents in this article says schools "shouldn't be promoting sexuality of any kind" -- but of course, promotion of abstinence is certainly a promotion of a certain form of sexuality and a certain form of sexual morality. Why the double standard? I would argue that this poster is not really about sex, per se, and more a call for people to treat gay people decently. That should not be controversial, es even the xian religions are generally seen as opposing bigotry (love the sinner, hate the sin, etc.) Whereas abstinence education is definitately promoting a certain kind of sexuality and sexual morality in schools to a "captive audience".
Protest Against School's Gay Diversity Posters Backfires
by Fidel Ortega 365Gay.com Miami Bureau
May 30, 2005 8:00 pm ET
(Troy Michigan) Protests from conservative Christian parents over a poster in a Troy High School classroom that contained the message that "gay people are everyday people," has backfired.
Instead of forcing the school to remove the poster from the classroom other teachers have ordered copies for their rooms.
The poster had been on the wall in the English Department room for two years with no objections until earlier this month when a parent protested to the Troy School Board. (story)
Anthony Cruz, 49, who has two daughters at the school said Troy High is supposed to concentrate on academics and leave other matters for after-school time and activities. Instead, the classroom poster has a "a captive audience," in students, Cruz said.
But Patricia Raezler, 55, a member of Parents Promoting Innocence in Bloomfield Hills, which supports Troy parents in the poster issue, said the school shouldn't be promoting sexuality of any kind.
"We are promoting innocence," said Raezler, whose children attend private school. "Once, these types of things were left up to the parents. Then there was a push to inform and let pupils know about sexuality. It hasn't decreased sexually transmitted diseases."
But, despite threats of retaliation by Cruz, 25 more posters have been ordered.
"Now there's going to be 26 at the school," Leslie Thompson, executive director of Affirmations Gay/Lesbian Community Center, which distributes the posters, told the Detroit News.
"I'm really rather proud of the district, the school and the teachers for standing by their gay students," she said. "(The poster) is really a strong message for those kids."
District spokesman Tim McAvoy confirmed that at least four new posters went up recently.
"The students requested the poster to show all people deserve respect and tolerance, and should not be harassed for any reason," McAvoy said. "The poster ensures student safety through a message of tolerance and respect."
But, Cruz isn't backing down, saying the posters promote a sexual lifestyle that is against Judeo-Christian beliefs.
"I am here to censor their attempts to promote that lifestyle on my children," he told the News. "We do not want them to try and change our children."
Protest Against School's Gay Diversity Posters Backfires
by Fidel Ortega 365Gay.com Miami Bureau
May 30, 2005 8:00 pm ET
(Troy Michigan) Protests from conservative Christian parents over a poster in a Troy High School classroom that contained the message that "gay people are everyday people," has backfired.
Instead of forcing the school to remove the poster from the classroom other teachers have ordered copies for their rooms.
The poster had been on the wall in the English Department room for two years with no objections until earlier this month when a parent protested to the Troy School Board. (story)
Anthony Cruz, 49, who has two daughters at the school said Troy High is supposed to concentrate on academics and leave other matters for after-school time and activities. Instead, the classroom poster has a "a captive audience," in students, Cruz said.
But Patricia Raezler, 55, a member of Parents Promoting Innocence in Bloomfield Hills, which supports Troy parents in the poster issue, said the school shouldn't be promoting sexuality of any kind.
"We are promoting innocence," said Raezler, whose children attend private school. "Once, these types of things were left up to the parents. Then there was a push to inform and let pupils know about sexuality. It hasn't decreased sexually transmitted diseases."
But, despite threats of retaliation by Cruz, 25 more posters have been ordered.
"Now there's going to be 26 at the school," Leslie Thompson, executive director of Affirmations Gay/Lesbian Community Center, which distributes the posters, told the Detroit News.
"I'm really rather proud of the district, the school and the teachers for standing by their gay students," she said. "(The poster) is really a strong message for those kids."
District spokesman Tim McAvoy confirmed that at least four new posters went up recently.
"The students requested the poster to show all people deserve respect and tolerance, and should not be harassed for any reason," McAvoy said. "The poster ensures student safety through a message of tolerance and respect."
But, Cruz isn't backing down, saying the posters promote a sexual lifestyle that is against Judeo-Christian beliefs.
"I am here to censor their attempts to promote that lifestyle on my children," he told the News. "We do not want them to try and change our children."
