No Name Calling

Today in a faxed statement to Pittsburgh's Mayor Tom Murphy, the American Family Association of PA (AFA of PA) expressed concern that he had proclaimed January 24-28 as "No Name Calling Week" for Pittsburgh's schools. Even though no schools participated, the door was opened by the mayor for city school children in grades 4-8 to learn that 'gay is okay.' No Name Calling Week" has a nice sound to it, but one must look behind the scenes to see who is pulling the ropes.

The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is the main organizer behind the week and their goal is to teach children that homosexuality is simply a safe, alternative lifestyle. On January 13 GLSEN was one of 22 gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender organizations that signed a "Unity Statement" advocating, among other things, same-sex marriage and LGBT inclusive sexuality education. In September 2003 GLSEN made available to the nation's high schools " Exploring the Debate Over Marriage Rights for Same-Sex Couples" curriculum.

"Parents know that bullying is not acceptable and that all children should be protected from those who would bully. But they do not want their children taught to view as normal a lifestyle that they know is wrong and dangerous. They do not want their children taught that same-sex marriage is equal to one man, one woman marriage," president of the AFA of PA, Diane Gramley, stated.

The goal of any anti-bullying program should be to stop bullying of any sort -- not to single certain groups out to portray them as more of a target of bullying than others. Schools are especially wise to leave the 'gay' and 'lesbian' issue to parents. The AFA of PA strongly disagrees with Stephen Glassman, chair of the PA Human Relations Commission, that the words 'gay,' lesbian,' 'bisexual,' and 'transgendered,' must be included as part of the program.

Gramley went on to say, "Steve Glassman is mistaken to say these words must be included in the program. The addition of these words seeks to normalize the homosexual lifestyle. Why would one want to normalize such a dangerous lifestyle? True compassion would be to be honest about the dangers of engaging in the homosexual lifestyle. On the other hand, it is bullying to tell children that they are 'homophobic' if they do not view homosexuality as normal."

There are numerous news accounts of homosexual students who have been bullied, sued their schools and won. But many times the opposite is true and those with an opposing view are the ones bullied into silence. In October 2004 a federal district judge ordered the Ann Arbor (Michigan) Public Schools to pay $102,738 in attorney fees and costs because school officials prevented a student from expressing her religious views against homosexuality. And lets not forget, also in October, the eleven Christians in Philadelphia who were charged with 'ethnic intimidation' and faced 47 years in prison and up to $90,000 in fines for reading Scripture and holding signs opposing the homosexual lifestyle. Who actually is being bullied in these cases?

A portion of the letter to Mayor Murphy follows:

"This is the second year that they (GLSEN) have used the anti-bullying mantra to get into schools with "No Name Calling Week." Why target children this young with the 'gay is okay' message? All children need to be protected from bullying . . . period! Certain groups should not be targeted. In reality, teaching children that they may be homosexual if they have friends of the same sex is a form of bullying. Those who are involved in a homosexual relationship are more prone to substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and other STDs, eating and psychological disorders. According to the Oxford University International Journal of Epidemiology, men who have sex with men shorten their lives by up to 20 years. These statistics are what should be taught children. Not that 'gay' students are more likely to be bullied nor that they are born that way and their lifestyle is normal.

There is no doubt that GLSEN is targeting grades 4-8 with 'No Name Calling Week' and their message of tolerance for lifestyles and family structures that parents may not approve. The AFA of PA made three requests of GLSEN to provide a list of all the schools in Pennsylvania that participated -- we are still awaiting its arrival. Apparently GLSEN will not tolerate anyone making a simple inquiry into the names of schools that are participating.

On January 13 a joint unity statement was released by the leaders of 22 national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organizations. GLSEN's name was among the twenty-two. The unity statement includes the following statements:

We must advocate for HIV/AIDS policies - including age-appropriate, LGBT-inclusive (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) comprehensive sexuality education . . . .
And we must continue our vigorous fight for the freedom to marry . . . ."