Fundy High parents irked by antihomophobia activities - May. 04, 2010
BY BARB RAYNER
barbrayn@nbnet.nb.ca
ST. GEORGE – Some people in this area are concerned about what they consider the promotion of the International Day Against Homophobia (May 17) and its underlying agenda at Fundy High School.
Stephen Wright and his wife Rayma, of Pennfield, are so concerned that they had a private meeting with School District 10 superintendent Derek O’Brien prior to a PSSC meeting Monday evening.
Wright has prepared a lengthy letter,which was distributed among the local churches on the weekend, outlining the couple’s concerns about the posters and brochures made available by Fondation Emergence in schools throughout the district. The letter, bearing 200 signatures, was presented to O’Brien.
O’Brien said he and the couple had a very good meeting but he said the issue has not been a concern throughout the whole district — only at Fundy.
“It is not arising in any of our other high schools. The concern is Fundy High (School) recognizing International Day Against Homophobia and seems to be mainly that they disagree with the research of the organization.”
He said the Department of Education has done research and provided schools in the province with these resources to help with what administrators and teachers are doing in schools.
“If schools decide they don’t want to use the posters that is perfectly fine and I think they did reach a compromise at Fundy and students are going to design their own posters.
“Throughout the district we are recognizing International Day Against Homophobia and have plans that are being designed by students, by staff and in consultation with parents in the community”.
In the letter, Wright said that for weeks Fundy High has displayed controversial posters in classrooms and hallways as well as made brochures available to students from Fondation Emergence.
Based in Montreal, the mission of this group is to “promote the emergence of homosexual development, to promote their inclusion in society and to fight prejudice.”
Wright noted, ”Unfortunately, this organization has chosen the public school system as a large part of its battlefield in which our children’s minds and hearts are at stake.”
He goes on to state that they believe the organization has made statements that have not been proven or made verifiable leaving concerned citizens suspicious about the
Fondation Emergence’s reputation and its true intent.
Wright said the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that everyone has the freedom of conscience and religion; freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression including freedom of the press and other media of communication; freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association.
However, he said, Fondation Emergence defines homophobia as “an attitude, feeling or aversion towards gay men and lesbians and towards homosexuality in general.”
“The inference is clear ... though agreeing to the fundamental rights of all people, including gays and lesbians, any person who verbally expresses a differing opinion either ethically or morally towards the homosexual lifestyle, is labelled as homophobic, discriminatory and prejudiced. The ramifications are enormous and frightening.”
Wright said they are concerned that the primary function and role of educators in the public school system will be changed from that of educating the children to that of spokesperson and adjudicator for Fondation Emergence.
He said the organization charges anyone as being a source of prejudice if they do not promote their agenda and they are targeting children at the school level.
“We believe it is not only a right but a responsibility of parents to ascertain the truthfulness and validity of any statements made or materials utilized as educational tools.”
Most disturbing of all, said Wright, is a colour poster portraying a newborn infant whose hospital armband reads “homosexual” coupled with the statement “sexual orientation
is not a choice.”
“This claim by Fondation Emergence that homosexuality is genetic has simply not been proven as undisputed fact,” Wright stated, claiming “One only has to undertake a moderately diligent search to find refutation after refutation in scientific reports and literature.”
O’Brien said this poster has been taken down and students will be designing their own.
But Wright has other concerns.
“Also unsettling are the statements by them that any and all conversion therapies have been discredited scientifically which is in clear contradiction to the testimonies of many people who are now no longer living this lifestyle and are leading happy, productive lives,” he stated.
Wright cites Dr. Tom Benton, current president of the American College of Paediatricians who, in a letter to a school superintendent last month, stated that “adolescents experience confusion about many things including sexual orientation and gender identity and are particularly vulnerable to environmental influences.”
Wright wants the administration of Fundy High School to immediately remove any and all Fondation Emergence materials.
“If our school system expects honest and open cooperation from parents in the proper and beneficial education of our children, we ask that these virtues be reciprocated.”
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