The Minnesota Independent’s Andy Birkey reports that the Parents Action League (PAL) — a group that advocates for ex-gay reparative therapy — is now “circulating a petition to the Anoka-Hennepin School Board asking it to maintain a policy that limits discussions of LGBT issues in the classroom.” The Minnesota school district has some of the highest suicide rates in the country and is currently involved in a lawsuit alleging that its policy of not discussing homosexuality has contributed to severe bullying against LGBT students. “PAL’s petition asserts that LGBT people suffer ‘life-threatening health risks’ and a flier by the group warns of a ‘radical homosexual agenda,” Birkey writes. Below is the text of the petition:
Whereas homosexual behavior exposes participants to many life-threatening health risks; and whereas the classroom environment needs to be solely focused on academics; Therefore, we the undersigned citizens of Anoka-Hennepin School District No. 11 do whole heartedly support and desire that the School Board adhere to the following statement in the AH District 11 Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy: ‘Teaching about sexual orientation is not a part of the District adopted curriculum; rather, such matters are best addressed within individual family homes, churches, or community organizations. Anoka-Hennepin staff, in the course of their professional duties, shall remain neutral on matters regarding sexual orientation including but not limited to student led discussions.’
The group is also sending out these flyers:
Do you want your tax dollars used to promote a radical homosexual agenda in our public schools?
On February 9, 2009 the Anoka-Hennepin District #11 School Board passed the Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy (Neutrality Policy). This policy makes it clear that “Teaching about sexual orientation is not a part of the District adopted curriculum; rather, such matters are best addressed within individual family homes, churches, or community organizations. Anoka-Hennepin staff, in the course of their professional duties, shall remain neutral on matters regarding sexual orientation including but not limited to student led discussions.”
This policy strengthens the authority and rights of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their own children—especially on sensitive topics such as sexual orientation. The Gay Equity Team and other radical homosexual activists in our school district are fighting to overturn this policy.
PAL spokeswoman and representative Barb Anderson has previously blamed gay groups for the bullying encountered by LGBT students. “They are creating an environment where these children that are sexually confused suddenly become affirmed as a homosexual or that they are born that way, and then these kids are locked into a lifestyle with their choices limited, and many times this can be disastrous to them as they get into the behavior which leads to disease and death in some cases.” She added, “So, it’s really… They are the ones that are contributing to an atmosphere that can even increase bullying as more kids get into this kind of a lifestyle.”
Anderson is a top Bachmann donor and was instrumental in advocating for the neutrality policy. She and her husband, George Anderson of Crown Iron Works, have donated $13,400 and $9,200, respectively, and Crown Iron Works ranked as Bachmann’s 12th largest donor over her political career with $26,850 in total contributions.
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