Lesbian and Gay History Month

Connie W. Adams

The National Education Association on July 6 passed a resolution sup-porting the recognition of October as Lesbian and Gay History Month. Here are the resolutions adopted by delegates to the 1995 NEA Representative Assembly: `B-9. Sexual Orientation Education:

The National Education Association recognizes the importance of raising the awareness and increasing the sensitivity of staff, students, parents, and the community to sexual orientation in our society. The Association therefore supports the development of positive plans that lead to effective ongoing training programs for education employees for the purpose of identifying and eliminating sexual orientation stereo-typing in the educational setting. Such programs should attend to but not be limited to: (a) Accurate portrayal of the roles and contributions of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people throughout history, with acknowledgment of the sexual orientation, (b) The acceptance of diverse sexual orientation and the awareness of sexual stereotyping whenever sexuality and/or tolerance of diversity is taught, (c) Elimination of sexual orientation name-calling and jokes in the classroom, (d) Support for the celebration of a Lesbian and Gay History Month as a means of acknowledging the contributions of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals throughout history.

According to a news release from the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network, the resolution passed by a margin of two to one. A spokesman for this group, Rodney Wilson said "The NEA represents 2.2 million teachers throughout the United States and is a leader in educating our society about sexual orientation."

Now folks, I just must have my say about this. First, this information may come as a shock to Michael W. Green of Orange, Texas whose article "Church, State, Schools and Our Children" appeared in Guardian of Truth, July 20, 1995. His closing admonition was, "Do not confuse the role of the State with your role as a parent, and likewise do not confuse your role as a parent with that of the State. If you do your job properly, you have nothing to fear with respect to the teaching in public schools." I fear our brother has not done his homework touching the real dangers which face parents who are trying to educate their children in the public schools of America.

The second thing I must say is that this resolution places teachers who are devout Christians in a dilemma. How do they implement this decision with a clear conscience?

Third, notice the thrust of this effort. It is aimed at "staff, students, parents and the community." All of these are to be educated in "identifying and eliminating sexual orientation stereotyping in the educational setting." That means, in plain language, that lesbian and gay activity cannot be described as anything other than a personal choice without one word to indicate that it is odd, queer, abnormal, or against nature. All of this is aimed at creating a climate of "acceptance of diverse sexual orientation" and "tolerance of diversity." You must be educated to accept and tolerate this behavior.

Fourth, the mechanism for all of this is to be disguised as history. History must be slanted to include and identify in a favorable light the sexual orientation of various historical figures and their contributions to society. Might my benighted mind be excused for wondering if that will include the contribution which the men of Sodom made to the destruction of the cities of the plain? Or the part such con-duct played in causing the morals of the once mighty Roman Empire to rot, contributing to the downfall of that empire? Will the NEA and cooperating teachers and school administrators include that information in the education during Lesbian and Gay History Month?

Fifth, the lesbians, gays and bisexuals are not content to practice their ungodliness. No, they demand that it be accepted, tolerated and even celebrated with a special monthly observance in our schools. Do you wonder why private schools, including home schooling are flourishing in our country? How many parents who read this have kept up with affairs in the schools your children attend? You can have an impact for good by attending school board meetings, asking to read material which is to be used in teaching your children, and speaking out as informed citizens with courtesy, competence, and conviction. Get acquainted with teachers and administrators. Offer to help and show that you are willing to do more than complain. But don't beblind or naive as to movements under way to rewrite history, dilute moral convictions, and promote political correctness to the detriment of your own children.

Please notice what Paul by divine inspiration said on this subject. (My emphasis, CWA) "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections; for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And like-wise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient" (Rom. 1:26-28).

Now before I am charged with producing hate material, I hasten to say that my hope for sinners of every description is that all will realize the tragedy of sin, come to repentance and embrace the salvation provided through the blood of Jesus Christ.The gospel is the power of God to save all sinners (Rom. 1:16). But please understand that no sin mentioned in the Bible is condemned more certainly and severely than that of homosexuality (Isa. 1:9; Luke 17:28-29; Gen. 13:10; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; 2 Pet. 2:6-9; Jude 7).

What a shame that the NEA can rail against the morality of the scriptures under the religion of Secular Humanism but Scriptural morality cannot be taught because that would violate strictures against any combination of church and state. Right now the secularists seem to be gaining the up-per hand. This is not a political issue. It is a moral issue. And the stakes are high.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: No. 23, p. 3-4
December 7, 1995