mcauleysworld weblog answers this question with well articulate facts and references, so I'll quote him, to read the entire post click here: http://mcauleysworld.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/fact-check-obama-on-sex-education-web-site-link-read-the-real-provisions-of-his-plan/
"Obama supports the use of, “The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) guidelines for drafting legislation. The Guidelines were adopted in Illinois SB 0099, 2003. ... You can read those guidelines at http://siecus.org/_data/global/images/guidleine.pdf - This link takes you to the SIECUS web site.
On Page 14 of the guidelines the Council states its intent, “to provide comprehensive education about sexuality that includes such topic as, abstinence, sexually transmitted disease (STDs), HIV/AIDS, Contraception (Pregnancy Prevention) and Disease Prevention.
Appropriate Topics (for 5- year-olds) are listed on page 24 of the guidelines: The Topics include, “appreciate ones own body”, “affirming ones own sexual orientation and the orientation of others” and “affirming ones own gender identities (plural) and the gender identities of others”.
The Guidelines then go on to decribe, in detail, the individual Topics appropriate for 5yr-old instruction:
Topic 1- The body has the capability to reproduce as well as to give and receive sexual pleasure. Page 26 Outlines Body Parts, the names of the Parts and their function, in quite some detail.
On Page 29 of the Guidlines - Level 1 Instruction includes - “Humans beings can love people of another gender”, “Some people are heterosexual”, “Somepeople are homosexual”, “Homosexual men and woman are know as gay men and lesbians.”, ”People deserve respect”, “The terms ‘gay’, ‘fag’,'qeer” are hurtful.”
A discussion of ‘Sexual Behavior” begins on page 50: Level 1 Instruction includes the topics, ”Sexuality is natural”, “Bodies feel good when touched“.
Page 51 & 52 of the Guidelines address Level 1, “Topic 2, Masterbation:” - “Touching and rubbing ones own genitals to feel good is called masterbation”, “some boys and girls masterbate”, “masterbation should be done in a private place” - yes this is what is outlined for Level 1, 5 -year-olds. You have the link and page number to check if you would like. http://siecus.org/_data/global/images/guidleine.pdf
On page 54, Human Sexual Response notes, “Both boys and girls discover that their bodies feel good when touched”.
Contraception Education for 5-yr-olds is addressed on pages 58 & 59, “Some people have children, others do not”, “Each family can decide how many children to have, if any.”
Page 61, addresses instruction on Abortion for 5-yr-olds, “Sometimes woman become pregnant when they do not want to be, or are unable to care for a child.”
Page 63 - Outlines Level 1 instruction on Sexually transmitted diseases.
Page 65 - Outlines Level 1 - HIV/AIDS instruction -
Page 67 - Level 1 Sexual Abuse Instruction is outlined.
Page 82 of the Guidelines Instructs Educators to fill in the Gaps, “For example the guidelines suggest that students in early elementary school learn ‘that each body part has a correct name and function ……”, “They do not explain the function of these parts …..” “It is the responsibility of the educator to fill in this information ……..”.
In Massachusetts where same sex marriage is legal, let see what is happening in the schools to answer that question:
"The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to review several education cases, including the appeal of two Massachusetts families of a lower court decision that a school district did not violate their rights by exposing children to books promoting tolerance for gay marriage and families led by same-sex couples....
One family objected to their child being presented in kindergarten and 1st grade with two books that portrayed diverse families, including families with same-sex parents. The other family objected to a 2nd grade teacher's reading to their son's class a book that celebrated gay marriage.
The families challenged the school system's refusal to provide them with prior notice of such lessons and to allow their children to be exempted from them until 7th grade. Their suit cited their First Amendment free exercise of religion rights and their parental and privacy rights under the 14th Amendment's due-process clause.
In a lengthy Jan. 31 opinion, the 1st Circuit panel said, "There is no free exercise right to be free from any reference in public elementary schools to the existence of families in which the parents are of different gender combinations."
Other School Cases Denied
Also on Oct. 6, the justices denied review in these cases:
Lowery v. Euverard (No. 07-1567), an appeal on behalf of four high school football players in Tennessee who claimed their First Amendment free speech rights were violated when they were dismissed from their team after complaining publicly about the behavior of their coach.
Manbeck v. Katonah-Lewisboro School District (No. 08-116), in which a New York state parent was challenging the annual cutoff for eligibility for entering kindergarten. The state says children must have reached age 5 by Dec. 1, while the child in this case turned 5 on Dec. 11, 2005.
Policastro v. Kontogiannis (No. 07-1341), in which a New Jersey teacher was appealing rulings that denied him access to teacher mailboxes at his high school to distribute a memo related to labor negotiations. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, in Philadelphia, ruled in January to uphold school officials' actions in removing the teacher's memo because "of the perceived disturbance it caused"." from: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/school_law/2008/10/supreme_court_denies_parents_a.htmlThese articles also answer the question - "Do homosexual advocates want to get into the schools and promote homosexuality?"
- They are already there as shown...
"Gay-straight alliances are taking hold in middle schools, where homophobia and anti-gay harassment may be the most rampant"
from: http://www.tolerance.org/teach/magazine/features.jsp?is=40&ar=778"October is a month dedicated to some profound awareness causes. In the past, it has brought awareness to breast cancer and fair trade but, according to the recently released 2006 Philadelphia School District calendar, it has also been dubbed "Gay and Lesbian History Month."
This bold declaration has caused an uprising among parents while creating waves in the once smooth-sailing waters of a late September classroom atmosphere. I can understand the parents' claims that their young children's ears are too sensitive to hear such words spoken, but I think they are all being ignorant to the trying times of society.
I think the Philadelphia School district has made a big statement, but they are jumping too far ahead too soon. October should be dubbed "Gay and Lesbian Awareness Month" because intolerant minds need to be unlocked slowly with an abundance of knowledge and empathy." excerpts from: http://media.www.theloquitur.com/media/storage/paper226/news/2006/10/13/Perspectives/gay-And.Lesbian.History.Month.To.Teach.Tolerance-2373068.shtml
"Supporters of Proposition 8 - which would overrule the state Supreme Court decision -received fodder for their claims earlier this month. With parental permission, a public charter school took 18 first-graders on a field trip to San Francisco City Hall where their teacher and her female partner had just been wed by Mayor Gavin Newsom. ...
"The other side's argument is (Prop. 8) has nothing to do with education. Our argument is this has everything to do with education," said Chip White, a Proposition 8 spokesman. "It's already happening."...
The mother-daughter campaign ad refers to "King and King," a children's book about two princes marrying that became the subject of a lawsuit in Massachusetts, the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. The parents of a second-grader sued after the book was read in class, but the school district successfully argued that advance notice of the reading was not required because the book was not part of the sex education curriculum. ...
Teachers in large, diverse districts now strive to make their sex education lessons relevant to straight, gay and bisexual students, Sinks said. "We're talking about really refraining from using things like, husband-wife, boyfriend-girlfriend, those kind of things, and just say 'partner,'" she said. ...
Marksbury said California should give parents more latitude to pull their children out of courses that offend their religious beliefs. "In today's world," he said, said, "it seems like tolerance is a one-way street for some people, so if you don't like the idea of same-gender marriage you are immediately labeled a bigot."
Advice for teachers:
"You can help counter negative gay sentiment by showing your students positive examples of LGBT people in our society. Mention the influences prominent and everyday LGBT people have on our culture. Speak with comfort and confidence, mentioning LGBT people or issues in casual conversations. (Your students will pick up on your high level of comfort with LGBT topics and will hopefully follow suit.) ...
Use a little creativity and do a little homework of your own to introduce diversity into your lesson plan. Teaching English? Dedicate time specifically for LGBT authors. Are you the drama instructor? Mention actors that are kids of gays, such as Anne Heche, Dorothy Dandridge and Judy Garland (more kids of gays). Teaching Math? Talk about the national origin of famous theorists then work that into a discussion about gay rights in that land (see gay life around the world). ...
And of course, try and show support without coddling. ...
A great way to help school-wide diversity and create a safer haven for LGBT students is by:
- Sponsoring a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) chapter at your school. GSA is a student-run club which provides a safe place for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and work to end homophobia. Go to the GSA Network site for more information.
- Inviting PFLAG to your school for a safer school training. Visit their From Our House to the Schoolhouse resource site.
- Contacting your local LGBT Community Center. They often have teen and student programs and volunteers that can assist you in creating a safer school.
- Inviting local LGBT professionals and speakers to your school to discuss LGBT issues and diversity. Many LGBT people are willing to give back to the community. Take advantage of this philanthropy by inviting them to make a difference at your school.
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