Torrance School Board Cuts Gay Program
1 posted on 4/4/02 10:10 AM Pacific by libertylass:
Being one of the Torrance parents that has been fighting this issue since last year, it is quite a relief that we have been successful in getting G.L.I.D.E. removed from this years Human Resources Convocation. Last year it was P-FLAG that we were fighting against.
Although we understand the need for tolerance to all, the pro-homosexual groups that were at the School Board meeting Monday night (4/1) can only accept one side. Theirs! Typical, I'm afraid, of these types of groups that feel they only know what is best for our children.
Background: In 2000 parents spoke out, en force, against the Torrance, CA. School Board allowing P-FLAG to be a part of the HR forum being held at North Torrance High School, and West Torrance High School. The school board President, Gary Kuwahara, Beth Wilson, and one other board member voted for it in spite of our protests. Mr. Kuwahara claimed that those parents and residents protesting the group didn't speak for the community, even though they were clearly the majority. I guess the minority speaks for the community. Go figure.
At that point us parents were so incensed, and frustrated, that we formed a parents group called P.U.S.H.E.S (Parents United to Stop Homosexuality Education in our Schools). We raised funds through garage sales, and donations. to put two full page ads into our local paper "The Daily Breeze" and that's when "the wave" started. Which is exactly what we wanted.
I'm sorry to say that most of the public is not even aware of what is going on around them, but once our first full page ad was printed the calls, and donations, started coming in. We printed out flyers to inform the public of this very controversial group speaking to our students, and most were supportive.
One of P-FLAG's representatives at this forum was a transexual. He was an ex-CIF football player in school, and a Vietnam Veteran. After marrying and having two daughters, he became a she. He never attained the unconditional acceptance from his daughters even though he/she continued the marriage to his/her wife. Pretty weird and very selfish of him/her, if you ask me.
So, we have been fighting for this result for over a year, and are very pleased of the outcome. Our children can be taught how to be tolerant at home, from their parents. We also have very qualified teachers in the Torrance School District who can generically teach tolerance for all, without special interest groups coming in to override parents' instruction from home.
Mr. Kuwahara was noticeably unjust to the pro-family folks, and lenient to the behaviors of the pro-homosexual group in attendance at the meeting on Monday night. It has not gone unnoticed by any stretch of the imagination, and I will deal with him on a personal level in the next day or two. Beth Wilson even tried to accuse us of censorship, because now her children won't be allowed the opportunity to hear G.L.I.D.E.'s message. I reminded Ms. Wilson that she is more than welcome to have G.L.I.D.E. come to her home and speak to her children, or she can organize a meeting away from our tax-funded campuses. I told her that the censorship accusation was more accurately directed to the school board for not allowing those of us with speeches to use our full five minutes alotted time, and instead cut us off while we introduced a host of frightening statistics that she and Gary Kuwahara didn't want stated.
Parents are now taking a stand all across this country against the lies that have been fed to us for decades. Facts that have been researched and corrected, or many times debunked. But, the changes to these facts have been profoundly denied by the pro-homosexual advocates.
You will not see me use the term "Gay", as it is clearly not a "Gay" lifestyle. Let's continue to protect our children from forced indoctrinations by selfish groups spouting tolerance, diversity, and safe schools."