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from Gay Activism in the Schools
Experts On Homosexuality Critique
GLSEN's Same-Sex Marriage Curriculum
by Frank York
Dr. Warren Throckmorton, along with co authors Dr. Gary Welton and Mike Ingram have recently published a critical review of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) curriculum on same-sex marriage.
GLSEN published its curriculum in 2003 as part of its ongoing efforts to create a gay-affirming climate on junior high and high school campuses. GLSEN promotes "safe schools" for homosexually-inclined teens.
In Throckmorton's introduction to this "Critical Review Of The GLSEN Same-Sex 'Marriage' Curriculum," he observes: "Upon reviewing the GLSEN curriculum, we believe the same-sex marriage curriculum serves a political purpose much more than an educational one. If this curriculum was used in schools, no student would be safer, and indeed those students who express a traditional view of marriage would likely find themselves feeling pressure to change their perspective or to feel their values and beliefs had been attacked."
In the Executive Summary of this analysis, Throckmorton notes: "The curriculum was quite focused on presenting a favorable view of same-sex marriage. No opposing views were offered, nor were any such views included in the handouts or suggested teacher resources for classroom use. The curriculum frequently suggested the use of coercive methods to persuade students toward a favorable view of same-sex marriage. The curriculum authors often took liberties with the facts concerning same-sex unions. While much of the content was presented as fact, there were very few references given to support the material presented."
Subtle Coercion Exists Throughout The Materials
The analysis of the GLSEN same-sex marriage materials notes that in the introductory section, the GLSEN authors urge teachers to tell students they should avoid viewing homosexual marriage as either right or wrong. They are to present the issue as one of human rights that extends beyond morality.
Students are also taught that opposing prohibitions against same-sex marriage is akin to racism, homophobia, and "all other oppressions." (p. 7) According to Throckmorton, "The authors force the dubious analogy between sexual orientation and race repeatedly in this document." In effect, says Throckmorton, this "... line of reasoning is to imply that those opposed to gay marriage are also racist or oppressive."
Materials Contain Inaccurate And Misleading Information
The GLSEN materials make this inaccurate statement as fact: "Studies of same-sex partnerships indicate that these relationships function similarly to those of oppose sex couples in terms of commitment, endurance, and mutual care and support." (p. 5)
Dr. Throckmorton points out that this statement is false. He cites the Journal of Family Psychology report that found that 62% of gay couples acknowledged outside affairs. By contrast, the vast majority of heterosexual relationships are monogamous. Only 11% of married individuals have violated their marital vows at some point.
Throckmorton concludes his analysis with these comments: "We have documented that the GLSEN curriculum is biased, coercive, inaccurate and misleading on many points and impractical in implementation. For these reasons, we respectfully suggest that school districts not use these materials for classroom instruction."
Dr. Throckmorton's analysis is available here:
http://www.drthrockmorton.com/samesexcur.pdf
Updated: 8 February 2008
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