Gay Education

The Maryland Board of Education has decided to include gay and transgender lessons in all schools in the Fall. It has been an ongoing battle with Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum and two other groups.

The grassroot groups have several objections. A Montgomery County Board of Education member has been given opinion space to claim this was Tolerance Wins in Maryland after the Maryland Board of Education rejected legal efforts to modify the curriculum. The Maryland Board of Education admits that the lessons are "offensive, in parts, to Appellant's religious beliefs" but they provide for an opt-out for parents who do not want their children to take the additional lessons.

The Maryland Board of Education supports, oddly, the Montgomery Board assertion that "teaching tolerance of diversity is a civic value, and public schools are the main vehicle for 'tranmitting the values on which our society rests." (Pg 9.) Which is odd when you consider that religious values are excluded altogether from public schools in Maryland.

There were five board member who abstained. See Board Decision. PDF

Also noteworthy at the Maryland Board of Education site are the minutes of the May 17, 2007 Executive Session removing Nathaniel B. Thomas as a Prince George’s school board member. That vote was unamimous. TT - Link