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from Gay Activism in the Schools
Canadian Teacher Harrassed for
Expressing Personal Views on Homosexuality
An article in the May 18, 2003 edition of the newspaper, the
Edmonton Sun details the consequences suffered by British
Columbia schoolteacher and counselor Chris Kempling for
publicly stating his views on homosexuality.
Mr. Kempling's troubles began when he was handed a one-month
suspension from his teaching position by the British
Columbia College of Teachers, for writing a series of
letters to newspapers setting forth his opinions about the
way local school sex-education programs present
homosexuality to children.
Kempling, a Christian, pointed out that many religions
consider homosexuality to be immoral. Further, he cited
scientific studies which show instability and health risks
associated with a gay lifestyle, all of which were omitted
from mention in the school programs.
The Sun story says that Mr. Kempling specifically addressed
his comments to the public forum of the newspapers' letters
column, refraining from sharing his viewpoints in the
classroom.
But that restraint didn't spare Kempling from being
suspended from his job. Although he received virtually no
negative feedback concerning his letters from other members
of the faculty, students, or parents, the College of
Teachers charged that "Mr. Kempling used his status as a
teacher to give credibility to his views."
Following his suspension, Kempling sought assistance from
his professional union, the British Columbia Teachers
Federation. After initially offering him some legal help,
the union then categorically refused any further support.
"His views are antithetical to our position about the
inclusion of gays, lesbians, transgendered and two-spirited
people in our society," said the union president.
Neither would the British Columbia Civil Liberties
Association take up the free speech issue. "If there are
gay students in that school - and you can bet your bottom
dollar there are - they're going to keep their heads down
and they certainly aren't going to resort to Mr. Kempling
for advice," declared Association president John Dixon.
Dixon also suggested that Kempling's religious beliefs would
bias his performance in his counselor's duties.
Kempling's church, however, contributed $30,000 to his
defense fund, and several voices in the media spoke out
positively on the matter. One Canadian newspaper, The
Victoria Times-Colonist, said it was interesting that the
College of Teachers would focus so intently on the
homosexuality issue, "Yet it can't bring itself to get rid
of demonstrably rotten teachers, and can only issue
reprimands to some who have had improper relationships with
students--or, in one recent case, flashed them."
Mr. Kempling told the Sun that the College's ruling has the
potential to ruin his teaching career because its decision
will be distributed to educational institutions throughout
the continent.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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