"I'm queer, I'm a butt-ranger and I'm in your faaaaaaaaaace!"
Posted on 04/09/2003 9:05:17 AM PDT by Liz
This year's Day of Silence, which homosexuals will observe Wednesday at thousands of schools across the country, is under attack from several conservative groups that want to alert parents about the movement.
Fearing that homosexual students will spread their message in classrooms, some parents have opted to keep their children out of school Wednesday. For the past seven years, students from middle school to college have used the day to take a vow of silence to protest discrimination and harassment.
Last year's Day of Silence was observed by more than 150,000 students at nearly 2,000 schools, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). This year, the group expects those numbers to increase to more than 200,000 participants.
The movement has even reached Congress, where Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) introduced a resolution that would recognize the day. Gov. Gray Davis (D-Calif.) plans to issue a proclamation, and several municipalities or legislative bodies are expected to do the same.
Widespread acceptance of the day by school administrators prompted parents to picket outside schools in California and other states last year, said Steve Klein, founder of Courageous Christians United, a group steadfastly opposed to the Day of Silence.
"As we as parents try to get our kids into reading, writing and arithmetic, the more we're finding that they're getting into social engineering," said Klein, who encourages parents to keep their kids home Wednesday. "My kids went through this a few years ago, and I couldn't believe the homosexuality and the filthy sex that they were teaching."
Klein took to the streets last year, when he joined other concerned parents at Granite Hills High School and Santana High School, both in the San Diego area, to distribute pamphlets to students about what he views as the dangers of homosexuality.
This year, Klein is not planning to demonstrate because the students at the schools opted to observe the day earlier this year to avoid controversy, he said.
Kevin Jennings, GLSEN's executive director, could not be reached for comment, but he has praised the Day of Silence ever since his organization began sponsoring it two years ago.
"The overwhelming message that students sent in 2002 through the hallways of their schools resonated for months after, both in classroom discussions and on the editorial pages of countless local newspapers," Jennings said in February, announcing the kickoff of this year's project.
The Day of Silence has a 15-student leadership team that helps organize events across the country. Jennings praised these students for helping combat homophobia and discrimination in places like Detroit, Albany, N.Y., and Madison, Wis., a few of the communities where special events are planned.
As more schools endorse the day and recognize those participating, however, they might be stepping over a line by entering the political arena, warned Scott Lively, president of the Pro-Family Law Center.
Lively's organization sent letters to all California school superintendents that highlighted his concerns. He said that once a school allows a group to present its political agenda during class time, the school is obligated to recognize all other student causes.
"When political demonstrations enter the classroom, with the endorsement of the school, they have crossed the line, and they are essentially taking advantage of a captive audience of students to force a political message upon kids who don't have any choice but to be there," he said. "It's wrong, it's illegal, and schools that allow it to happen are setting themselves up for litigation."
Another conservative organization, Concerned Women for America's Culture and Family Institute, offered parents and students recommendations about countering the Day of Silence.
Peter LaBarbera, the institute's senior policy analyst, advised parents to contact their local schools and ask about any Day of Silence events that might be planned. He also said students shouldn't be afraid to ask participants about their lifestyle.
But despite the outrage from conservatives, Jennings said in a statement released earlier this week that he was optimistic the day would be a success and again increase in popularity.
Lively, however, will spend the day with California students who are skipping school in protest. He plans to meet with them in Sacramento to give them advice about creating their own clubs to get their message out.
"The thing that really galls me about this is that the whole premise of the Day of Silence is that homosexuals have to be silent in our society today because of discrimination," Lively said. "Homosexual activists are the most obnoxious, loud and vocal political activists this country has ever seen."
Yes, I do. And if a gay person wants to introduce their significant other, there's no issue. The issue is when they continue to point to their homosexuality and demand we all 'celebrate' it with them.
So you never heard about the teens who are 'confused' about their sexuality? Sure seems to be an issue I've heard talked about in the schools. Need those special counselors to 'guide' the kids. If what you say is true, then there's no need for such guidance and the schools can save an awful lot of money.
Good idea. It would help if certaing 'categories' (e.g. gays) quit demanding everyone 'celebrate' their 'category'.
"I'm queer, I'm a butt-ranger and I'm in your faaaaaaaaaace!"
No, they were recruited - told that they weren't 'confused' but gay - they just needed to come out of the closet. Gee, being gay is so keen and all.
:::sigh:::
Your complaint was that people seem to focus on homosexuality over other sins.
The focus is there because the homosexuals KEEP it there.
Do you understand now?
It's 'bickering' to claim that what you said was a good idea?
Interesting definition of 'bickering' you have there.
Because homosexuality is a chosen behavior and not comparable to faith or innate characteristic. Kinda simple ain’t it?Faith is NOT and innate characteristic. It is learned and freely chosen behavior. And not a very rational one at that. I succussfully left the Christian lifestyle years ago and I haven't looked back. If I can do it, you can too.
Last time I checked religion was constitutionally protected. Sexual preference is not.
My fraternity brother, Randy, was a raging heterosexual. A horn dog. We had gay brothers in our frat, and Randy, while cordial towards them, was never active with them socially (or in any other way).
He now lives in Seatle with his significant other, Steve.
Seems that Randy, after living in Miami for 15 years, got caught up in the club scene, eventually the gay club scene, had a little crossover experimenting, swung both ways for a while, and finally decided to settle down with Steve. In discussions we have had Randy has explained that he "knew" he was straight in college and now he "knows" he's gay.
Jennifer and I were friends in my freshman year. I attempted to go out with her, but was told that she wasn't interested in guys. She had a relationship with her roommate, very open about it. She used to jump on my case when I would make a "homophobic" remark. Women's studies. Dabbled in Wicca. Democratic sliding into Green hard core lipstick lesbian. I got an e-mail from her a couple of months ago. She and her husband, Mark, have been married for 10 years now. They have two little boys, 3 and 6, and she is active in her church (Baptist!) and PTA. Seems she felt empty, found the Lord, and the rest just fell into place. She gets a kick out of talking to her old friends from her old life who just can't believe the change.
I could give you other examples, maybe not a dramatic, but I personally know at least half-a-dozen people that have crossed from one side to the other.
(Well....you never know...someone might not know about all this perverted stuff .... LOL)
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