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Mandatory Homosexual Curriculum in BC
Jul. 5th, 2006 12:10 pmThis was posted on the homeschool e-mail that I read daily. Very interesting. I wonder if Catholic schools have to follow the BC Curriculum. I imagine that they do. I would be very interested to learn how those schools in particular, incorporate this into the curriculum.
British Columbia Gov’t Agrees to Mandatory Homosexual Curriculum
By Terry Vanderheyden and John-Henry Westen
VANCOUVER, June 1, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A homosexual teacher and his same-sex partner who launched a human rights complaint with the British Columbia government have settled with the Government of British Columbia. According to the homosexual activist who launched a human rights suit, homosexual issues will soon be a mandatory part of school curricula taught in classrooms throughout the province, without the ability of students or parents to opt out.
BC’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of the Attorney-General agreed to review the province’s curricula to ensure that the issue of homosexuality is included in all so-called ‘social justice’ discussions - such as those involving racial inequality and women’s rights. The decision was the result of a settlement reached with Murray and Peter Corren, who launched their formal human rights complaint in 1999, which alleged “systemic sexual discrimination” in the classroom. . . . .
Coquitlam teacher Murray Corren told the Vancouver Sun today that the settlement will also make it more difficult for students and parents to opt out of lessons dealing with sexual orientation.
Attorney-General Wally Oppal said Wednesday that the province was indeed shaping a new ‘social justice’ course that will incorporate the homosexual issues. “I think it’s a fair settlement,” he claimed. “We listened to their [the Correns’] complaints and we decided there was some merit in what they were suggesting.” Oppal added that he hoped British Columbians were a “mature enough society” to accept “that there is an understanding that there is a place for this in our curriculum.”
A press release from the BC Government notes that in addition to revamping the provinces educational curriculum to ensure it “reflects inclusion” for the homosexual lifestyle, the province is commencing immediately to offer an elective grade 12 course on “justice and equality” which will address “sexual orientation.
Corinna Filion, spokesman for the Ministry of Education told LifeSiteNews.com that the agreement included provisions to bar some parents and students who had been opting for home education or other arrangements on topics of sexuality. While the province will still allow parents and students those alternative options when it comes to sex education (health and career courses), students will be forced to remain in classes dealing with sexual orientation outside of sexual education in spite of any objections students or their parents my have.
Personally, I think that social justice courses are crucial in the public education system. I think I could have benefited from it growing up. It may not have made children like me, but it probably would have kept them from bullying me. I also remember one kid who had it worse than I did. He was incredibly effeminate. Thinking back, he was effeminate from the early grades. I remember as far back as grade one. He suffered. Growing up in redneck Northern Alberta, he suffered a great deal. I cannot even fathom the levels of his lonliness, isolation and confusion.
I do think that public policy has a role in eradicating bigotry, and shaping our society’s level of acceptance and humanity. It’s sad that it’s necessary - that our society seems to continually substitute one form of ignorance for another but I believe that real and dramatic changes can be seen within one generation.
BUT - there’s always a “but”. When does it cross the line? Particularly in the case of non-secular, private institutions, and what form exactly does that education take, and to what extent does it affect the codes of conduct policies that are in place in those private institutions (I’m thinking of Catholic institutions in particular)?
British Columbia Gov’t Agrees to Mandatory Homosexual Curriculum
By Terry Vanderheyden and John-Henry Westen
VANCOUVER, June 1, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A homosexual teacher and his same-sex partner who launched a human rights complaint with the British Columbia government have settled with the Government of British Columbia. According to the homosexual activist who launched a human rights suit, homosexual issues will soon be a mandatory part of school curricula taught in classrooms throughout the province, without the ability of students or parents to opt out.
BC’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of the Attorney-General agreed to review the province’s curricula to ensure that the issue of homosexuality is included in all so-called ‘social justice’ discussions - such as those involving racial inequality and women’s rights. The decision was the result of a settlement reached with Murray and Peter Corren, who launched their formal human rights complaint in 1999, which alleged “systemic sexual discrimination” in the classroom. . . . .
Coquitlam teacher Murray Corren told the Vancouver Sun today that the settlement will also make it more difficult for students and parents to opt out of lessons dealing with sexual orientation.
Attorney-General Wally Oppal said Wednesday that the province was indeed shaping a new ‘social justice’ course that will incorporate the homosexual issues. “I think it’s a fair settlement,” he claimed. “We listened to their [the Correns’] complaints and we decided there was some merit in what they were suggesting.” Oppal added that he hoped British Columbians were a “mature enough society” to accept “that there is an understanding that there is a place for this in our curriculum.”
A press release from the BC Government notes that in addition to revamping the provinces educational curriculum to ensure it “reflects inclusion” for the homosexual lifestyle, the province is commencing immediately to offer an elective grade 12 course on “justice and equality” which will address “sexual orientation.
Corinna Filion, spokesman for the Ministry of Education told LifeSiteNews.com that the agreement included provisions to bar some parents and students who had been opting for home education or other arrangements on topics of sexuality. While the province will still allow parents and students those alternative options when it comes to sex education (health and career courses), students will be forced to remain in classes dealing with sexual orientation outside of sexual education in spite of any objections students or their parents my have.
Personally, I think that social justice courses are crucial in the public education system. I think I could have benefited from it growing up. It may not have made children like me, but it probably would have kept them from bullying me. I also remember one kid who had it worse than I did. He was incredibly effeminate. Thinking back, he was effeminate from the early grades. I remember as far back as grade one. He suffered. Growing up in redneck Northern Alberta, he suffered a great deal. I cannot even fathom the levels of his lonliness, isolation and confusion.
I do think that public policy has a role in eradicating bigotry, and shaping our society’s level of acceptance and humanity. It’s sad that it’s necessary - that our society seems to continually substitute one form of ignorance for another but I believe that real and dramatic changes can be seen within one generation.
BUT - there’s always a “but”. When does it cross the line? Particularly in the case of non-secular, private institutions, and what form exactly does that education take, and to what extent does it affect the codes of conduct policies that are in place in those private institutions (I’m thinking of Catholic institutions in particular)?
