California Proposition 8 Backers Take Fight to Kindergarten

As is typical of the unduly hysterical tactics of the Christianists, the supporters of the passage of Proposition 8 which would amend the California Constitution to strip same sex couples of marriage rights, are now disingenuously claiming that passage of the proposition is needed to protect kindergarten age students from "the gay agenda." Never mind that the ballot question has NOTHING to do with elementary education curriculums. But, naturally, that means nothing to the alleged "Godly Christians" who resort to every lie and underhanded tactic imaginable so long as they manage to denigrate gays and strip us of legal rights. These folks truly make me want to vomit. If there is a God, I suspect he/she has a special place in Hell for these hate-filled individuals. Here are highlights from the San Francisco Chronicle on the Christianist latest nastiness:

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Backers of a November initiative to ban same-sex marriage in California plan to tell voters in the state ballot pamphlet that the constitutional amendment would protect children as young as kindergarten age from being taught in school about the virtues of gay and lesbian matrimony.

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If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, teachers will be required to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage," supporters of Proposition 8 said in ballot arguments that went on public display this week at the secretary of state's office.

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Neither the ruling nor the ballot measure mentions education. But Yes on 8 campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Kerns said Thursday that the court decision would make instruction on same-sex marriage mandatory under a state law that requires public schools to offer comprehensive health education programs from kindergarten through high school. Quoting the law, she said those programs must provide instruction on "the legal and financial aspects and responsibilities of marriage." That means students at every grade level must now be taught that same-sex marriage is the same as opposite-sex marriage, Kerns said.

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The state Department of Education recommends that marriage be discussed in high school, but each school district designs its own program, with parental input, said Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. "This is a pure fabrication," he said of the Yes on 8 ballot argument. "They are trying to inflame people by making up these falsehoods about kids."

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The No on 8 argument also seeks to defuse religious and political controversies over gay rights and presents the issue as one of fairness and freedom from government intrusion. "The government has no business telling people who can and cannot get married," opponents of the measure declare. "Regardless of how anyone feels about marriage for gay and lesbian couples, people should not be singled out for unfair treatment under the laws of our state."