Monday, February 14, 2005
Just the 'Facts' or Social Advocacy?
Let's take yet another look at that gem of a 'recommended resource' entitled:
Lesson Plan: Sexual Orientation Myths by Planned Parenthood Association of Edmonton, Canada"
(This can be found easily on the web at:
http://www.ppae.ab.ca/index.php?m=1&s=11)
There is so much that is innapropriate with this resource, not the least of which is the entire thing could be used as a whole lesson plan complete with work sheet because it is in the form of a quiz, to which our children would have to answer, "myth or fact".
Ready? Here we go:
myth or fact?
11. Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals have the same constitutional rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Answer?
"In Canada in 2002, bisexuals, gays and lesbians are denied the spousal benefits enjoyed by heterosexuals. There are many more examples of special rights (emphasis added) for heterosexuals. "
Well, what do you know? Those darned heterosexuals get everything, all those 'special' rights including the right to marry! Why that's not fair! I can just imagine the next line in the class discussion, "well now, its funny you mention that because in 2003 a very special and courageous group of people called the Massachussetts Supreme Court decided that..."
Is this type of blatant social advocacy appropriate in a classroom setting? Why is it that neither the Montgomery County BOE nor Dr. Weast made any effort to remove some of these egregious examples from the curriculum when they had the chance?
I wonder...