Pro-homosexuality curriculum in Md. schools blocked by fed. judge [View All]

[The Straight Story]

Pro-homosexuality curriculum in Md. schools blocked by fed. judge, citing anti-faith bias
May 6, 2005
By Michael Foust

GREENBELT, Md. (BP)--Handing pro-family groups a major victory, a federal judge May 5 blocked a controversial sex-education program from going into effect at a large Maryland public school system, saying it took sides in the debate over homosexuality by painting conservative Christians as "unenlightened" and "misguided."

U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams Jr. issued a temporary restraining order against the Montgomery County Public Schools sex-ed curriculum, which was scheduled to be tested in six schools -- three high schools and three middle schools -- beginning May 9. Montgomery County is the most populous county in Maryland. In light of the ruling, the school system superintendent said he was suspending the pilot program.

Two conservative groups -- Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays -- had been fighting the curriculum for months. A religious liberties group, Liberty Counsel, filed a lawsuit on behalf of the groups.

The curriculum -- aimed at eighth- and 10th-graders -- claims that Jesus "said absolutely nothing at all about homosexuality" and that being homosexual is similar to being left-handed. It notes that some Baptist churches once defended racial segregation, implying that conservative Baptists today are on the wrong side of history. It also says that future generations likely will view today's traditional beliefs on homosexuality with "astonishment" and that "religion has often been misused to justify hatred and oppression."

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