Parents Groups Ask Maryland to Stop New, Gender-Confused Sex-ed Lessons

Neutral Unisex Bathroom Created for Cross-dressing Student

News Advisory:  February 23, 2007
Contact:  Regina Griggs, Director, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX); 703-360-2255  PFOX@pfox.org   www.pfox.org

Montgomery County, Maryland –  Three parent organizations are asking the Maryland State Board of Education to halt the new sex ed curriculum approved by the Montgomery County, Maryland Board of Education (BOE).  Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX), Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum (CRC), and Family Leader Network have filed an appeal requesting Maryland to stay Montgomery County Public School’s sex ed plans. 

The newly approved curriculum, entitled “Respect for Differences in Human Sexuality,” promotes cross-dressers, homosexuals, transgenders, bisexuals, the intersexed, and other non-heterosexuals.  It teaches children about “coming out” as gay, “gender identity” for men who think they’re women and vice-versa, and “homophobia” as a label for anyone who disagrees.

In one lesson, a boy begins to wear dresses to school, calls himself “Portia,” and wants to be known as a girl.  The principal gives him a key to a private restroom and a new student ID identifying him as a girl.  “Although transgenderism is considered a gender identity disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, the lesson plan fails to recommend counseling for students with gender confusion,” said Regina Griggs, PFOX Executive Director.  “Instead, it implies that schools should create new unisex bathrooms for cross-dressing students.” 

The lesson also refers to “Portia” as a ‘she’ when the law and biology classify ‘her’ as a “he.”  “This gender bending forces students to acknowledge ‘Portia’ as a female when he is not and creates gender confusion for children,” said Griggs.  “This flawed educational policy is not based on medical or scientific facts.” 

Despite repeated appearances by former homosexuals and a former transgender before the BOE, the Board voted to exclude ex-gays from the lesson plans although gays, transgenders, and the intersexed are included and taught to students. “Why do the lesson plans censor ex-gays when every other sexual orientation is discussed and supported?” asked Griggs.   “The BOE violates its own sexual orientation non-discrimination policy by choosing which sexual orientations it favors based on politics and not science.  Its discriminatory actions contribute to the intolerance and open hostility faced by the ex-gay community.” 

PFOX was a member of the curriculum committee representing the ex-gay community, yet the BOE voted to teach students that it is normal to change your sex (transgender) but not normal to change your unwanted same-sex attractions (former homosexual).  “The lesson plans instruct students that homosexual orientation is innate and inborn, despite testimony by former homosexuals before the BOE and all contrary scientific research,” explained Griggs.  

“The lesson plans are entitled “Respect for Differences in Human Sexuality,” yet the ex-gay community receives no respect and is deliberately left out of the curriculum,” Griggs said.  “The actions of the Montgomery County Board of Education are discriminatory, endanger children, and are politically motivated.”

“What happens in Montgomery County will happen to the rest of Maryland, so it is imperative to stop this ‘sex ed’ program now before it is fully implemented,” said Griggs.  Concerned Maryland  residents can take action at http://www.mcpscurriculum.org/take_action.shtml

###

A copy of this news advisory is available online at:  http://pfox.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=155#155