School Board Ends Policy Blamed for Anti-Gay Bullying

Apparently, the Christofascist supporters of the infamous Anoka-Hennepin School Board policy that silenced teachers and students from opposing anti-gay bullying have lost their battle to retain the policy. Between law suits, a federal investigation and scathing national news coverage, the school board - except for member Kathy Tingelstad pictured above - belatedly found the spine to stand up to the merchants of hate parading themselves as "godly Christians." I can just imagine the spittle that will be flying on the "Christian" news shows. It's so sad that so many students had to die from suicide before this happened. The Twin Cities Pioneer Press looks at this long over due development. Here are some highlights:

The sexual orientation policy that hung like a cloud over the Anoka-Hennepin school district for the last two years - prompting bitter debates, protests and two lawsuits - is gone.

The Anoka-Hennepin school board voted 5-1 Monday night to repeal the controversial policy and replace it with one that strips away the language that singled out homosexuality-related issues. The new one directs staff about how to handle all contentious topics in the classroom, including sexuality.

"This policy is truly a compromise, and I truly hope it will move this district and this community forward," board member Scott Wenzel said. "This has been a long time coming and I'm very happy we were able to get to this point."

Only board member Kathy Tingelstad voted against the new policy. "We are setting national standards here tonight, and I am disappointed we couldn't do a better job," Tingelstad said, adding that outside influences pushed the district to act too quickly.

Supporters of the so-called neutrality policy - the only one of its kind in Minnesota - said it was necessary to protect students of families who believe that homosexuality is immoral and don't want their children taught otherwise.

Several residents spoke passionately before the school board voted Monday night in Coon Rapids.

Much of the debate focused on whether being gay is a choice. Those who believe it is cautioned the board against changing the policy, saying it would allow gay activists to recruit students into a "dangerous and risky lifestyle." One speaker encouraged parents to check teachers' lesson plans under the new policy.

"There is a fight going on that is bigger than this district," parent Laurie Mueller told the board. "This is not only about our children, it's a fundamental question of natural law...I do not want the school teaching my child that two dads or two moms equal a mom and a dad."

Laurie Thompson, president of the Parents Action League, a parent group that formed in support of the district's sexual orientation police, said she's skeptical. "I am not as confident as the board that this policy will prevent homosexual propaganda from flooding the classrooms," Thompson said, calling the policy vote "a big disappointment."

Alluding to the list of demands that PAL presented to the board a few meetings ago - including that the district provide the same level of support to Christian and "ex-homosexual" students as it does to gay students - Thompson told board members the battle is far from over.

Among other things, the Respectful Learning Environment Curriculum Policy says faculty members must teach the board-adopted curriculum and not attempt to persuade students to adopt a particular viewpoint. It also affirms the dignity of all students, language the policy on sexual orientation lacked.

I cannot help but suspect that Ms. Tingelstad, Ms. Thompson and Ms. Mueller also believe the earth is flat if they believe sexual orientation is a choice. Conservative Christianity is a toxic evil that needs to be driven from the public square and back into Neanderthal caves where it belongs.