Sexual Orientation: How safe are California schools and is Oklahoma next in line?
by Lyn Rahman
October 1, 2006
On September 29, 2006, the Pacific Justice Institute, a legal group and strong defender of parental rights, issued a press release stating that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a set of three bills designed to:
- implement the teaching of homosexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as produce radical changes to school policy or lose state funding;
- force students to tolerate and take an active role in showing respect for homosexuals and other groups that did not receive equal treatment; and
- prohibit instruction of any material that reflects poorly on alternative lifestyles.[1]
This veto sounds like an outstanding move by Governor Schwarzenegger, but it appears to be a smokescreen. A lesbian Senator in the California State Legislature proposed a bill that adds sexual orientation to the State’s discrimination policy (SB 1441). The California Governor signed same into law one month before he vetoed the other three bills mentioned by the Pacific Justice Institute.[2] Where the three bills discussed earlier strictly applied to schools, SB 1441 applies across the board. Any business, charity, school, university or other entity accepting state funding can lose same simply for noncompliance. Oklahoma is not immune to the regulations we see unfolding in the State of California.
The inclusion of “sexual orientation” in any discrimination policy is of great concern, as such marks the creation of a special class while restricting the liberty of others.
While not as harsh as California’s new law, the Oklahoma State Board of Education (SBOE) includes the term “sexual orientation” in its discrimination policy. The SBOE made this decision without first seeking an act of the State Legislature and without regard to the discrimination policy set forth by the Federal government. [3] Although the SBOE agreed to address the matter and voted to correct its discrimination provision, homosexual activists sought rejection of an amendment based on a technicality.[4] CitzenLink reported that the SOE ultimately allowed the term to remain in its policy.[5] OFSA is curious as to the consequences an Oklahoma school, operating under the auspice of the State Department of Education, might face should any school employee be accused of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
The inclusion of “sexual orientation” in any discrimination policy is of great concern, as such marks the creation of a special class while restricting the liberty of others. It is our belief that the good citizens of this State should push to have the State Board of Education remove the term “sexual orientation” from its discrimination policy before the concept spreads to the State Legislature and/or other agencies funded by our tax dollars. No taxpaying citizen should have to pay for and tolerate the outrageous and politically correct policies we see today.
[1] Pacific Justice Institute, Governor Schwarzenegger Vetoes Pro-Homosexual School Bills, at http://www.pacificjustice.org/resources/news/focusdetails.cfm?ID=PR060929a
[2] Robert Knight, Schwarzenegger Signs Centerpiece Homosexual Bill, at http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=11417&department=CFI&categoryid=education
[3] Wendy Cloyd, Oklahoma School Board Sidesteps Gay Issue, at http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0042031.cfm
[4] See endnote 3
[5] See endnote 3
Operation Information
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Operation Information
Operation Information is the home website of a coalition of concerned citizens dedicated (determined) to uphold and support an educational system that stands on traditional, conservative American values. We are also determined to expose the city, state and federal agencies that have partnered with the United Nations to subjugate our American sovereignty
Our mission is to research and reveal teachings, methods, and/or curriculum that are contrary to these values. We will also endeavor to expose city, state and federal agencies that have betrayed the trust given to them by "We the People."
Our goal is to protect our children and the educational process, and to encourage the public to take a stand for what is right in both our public schools and city, state and federal entities.
We believe in a Biblical world view, teaching reading, writing and arithmetic, and the passing on of our American culture to our children. We also believe that federal control by any means (directly or indirectly) is unconstitutional.
Since as parents we pay for the schools, our children attend them, and we as parents are Biblically responsible for our children, local control of our schools/education of our children is not an option, it is mandatory. As parents and citizens we also pay taxes that are being misused by our elected officials for agendas that are contrary to our constitution.