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from Gay Activism in the Schools
Maryland School Board Approves
Pro-Gay Sex Education Curriculum
--Rejects Ex-Gay Viewpoint
November 10, 2004 - The Montgomery County, Maryland public school system
adopted a pro-gay sex education curriculum on November 9. The materials will
teach 10th graders how to put condoms on cucumbers, use flavored condoms for
oral sex, and 8th graders will be taught that homosexual couples are the newest
American family.
The Washington Times reported on Nov. 10th that the board voted 6-0 in favor of
the recommendations of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Family Life and Human
Development, in spite of parental opposition.
The new curriculum will also introduce the concept of "gender identity" to
students. It is defined as "a person's internal sense of knowing whether he or
she is male or female."
Jackie Rice, a representative of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) was on
the committee but her attempts to include the ex-gay viewpoint in the materials
were rejected. According to Rice, "The committee approved a student video
demonstrating condom use that encourages fruit flavored condoms for oral sex,
even after being told to delete this phrase by the School Board. Yet the
committee rejected any mention of ex-gays in the school curriculum and resources
unless it was something negative about us. As an African-American and a
representative of the ex-gay community, I resent the committee's refusal to
recognize diversity or an individual's right to self-determination."
PFOX wrote a lengthy letter to Dr. Jerry Weast, the Montgomery County
Superintendent of Schools on November 1st and outlined reasons why the county
should not adopt a pro-gay curriculum.
In it, PFOX noted that the pro-gay viewpoint was the only position allowed in
the materials. The curriculum used resources from gay groups such as Advocates
for Youth; Family Pride Coalition, Triangle Foundation, PFLAG, and GLSEN.
PFOX observed: "The ex-gay community should not be excluded or discriminated
against by anti-ex-gay materials in our schools. Contempt of those who have
resolved unwanted same sex attractions perpetuates misunderstanding and harm. It
also demonstrates a disregard for diversity and a refusal to respect a basic
human right to dignity and self-determination."
Updated: 8 February 2008
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