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Pro-family groups in Maryland have finally announced their intent to file an appeal against a Maryland school board’s support for a homosexual-friendly sexual education program.
The announcement Wednesday was in response to the Maryland State Board of Education’s 17-page opinion paper last month that said it found nothing illegal inside the new curriculum and that the board would not ban it from the Montgomery County school system.
The new policy, which would teach a favorable view of homosexuality and transgenderism as well as how to use a condom, has upset many faith-based and pro-family groups that see the act as indoctrinating children with negative influences. Parents opposed to the curriculum feel that they have a right as parents to decide what their child should learn, especially if it goes against their upbringing.
“I’m impressed with the principled and steadfast opposition by these pro-family groups to this outrageously hedonistic and life-threatening sexuality curriculum,” explained Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, which will file the appeal, in a statement. “The Law Center will do everything we can to assist them in their fight.”
The controversial curriculum plans to introduce 90 minutes of course material in to the current health classes. In the fall, both eight and tenth graders would learn about differing sexual orientations and accepting alternative lifestyles. Tenth graders would also watch a DVD on how to correctly use a condom.
The course is mandatory, which many parents disagree to. The state board had explained that although parents do have rights to their children’s upbringing, that “right is not absolute.”
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“It must bend to the State's duty to educate its citizens," wrote the state board.
Attorney from the Thomas More Law Center with the assistance of John R. Garza, who has been involved in the curriculum fight for several years, will be taking the state board’s ruling to the Montgomery County Circuit Court where they will attempt to get it overturned.
The lawyers have listed four points that they wish to address that make the curriculum unlawful.
First, it teaches that homosexuality is “innate,” which is still unproven. Second, it teaches that anal sex is just another sexual option without warning students of increased risk to HIV/AIDS. Next, the class may make students with religious or traditional beliefs appear “homophobic.” Lastly, the course teaches that transgenderism is another sexual orientation, but the attorneys argue that it has been classified as a mental disorder.
“This curriculum is full of factual inaccuracies and runs counter to sound educational policy,” said Edward L. White III, trial counsel with the Law Center. “It should not be taught in the public school.”
The appeals attorneys will be representing on behalf of pro-family groups Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, and the Family Leader Network during the court case.
The appeals judge may grant that the class be halted until they reach a decision about the new curriculum.
If the Montgomery County Circuit Court should uphold the decision found by the Maryland State Board of Education, representatives from the Law Center have already decided to take the case to the Maryland Court of Appeals.
Pro-family leaders are also worried that if the curriculum passes, it will spread to other counties in the state.
