How to Respond to a Gay/Straight Alliance (a response to G L S E N)
David Williams, Christian Educator's Southwest Oklahoma Area Director, has used the following resources to combat the homosexual agenda thrust upon his local district...feel free to use any of the following and adapt for your particular situation. David can be contacted at davidw@ceai.org
Ten Steps to Success
1. Pray.
Pray for young people who are being led to start a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) student organization. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Ask others to pray for you. This is a spiritual battle and God’s protection is needed. Fear of lawsuit and intimidation are the tools of those who are pushing the gay agenda on our students. Respect, hope and love are the responses that are needed.
2. Follow guidelines.
Respect is the key word in all activities. Legally, students have complete freedom of expression on a campus. Just as Christian-based clubs have access, so do gay-lesbian clubs. Usually, student governments have the final say in adding new clubs. A vote process of some kind is usually in place. If only one perspective is presented, the clubs get started. Biblical viewpoints on the issue will not be accepted by most young people. It is better to approach it from the issue of balance. The ex-gay perspective (change is possible) must be given equal time.
3. Find a faculty advisor.
Locate Christian teachers at the school and inform them of your activities. Most school administrations, by law, approach this issue from a civil rights perspective. Teachers can also insist on equal access for the ex-gay perspective. If a GSA is already in place information about starting an alternative club on campus can be found at www.pfox.org.
4. Find other students.
Students of faith must be taught about this issue from parents and pastors. Generally, the culture presents only one view. Students can encourage their peers to check out the numerous websites of ex-gay (Christian) groups to inform them about all theories of the origin of homosexuality (www.drthrockmorton.com, www.inqueery.com, www.nea-exgay.org, to name a few). Students of faith must go through a school process if they feel led to start a student club that shares the ex-gay perspective.
5. Inform the school's administration.
Let school administrators know what you are doing. They can keep the community, other faculty members, and the school board informed. Ask to get on the next board agenda to find out if students were presented with both sides of the homosexuality debate prior to the decision to add a GSA to existing student organizations. The process is public knowledge. Petitions, purpose statements, and draft constitutions of GSAs can be requested by any citizen. If needed, legal advice can be given by contacting Liberty Counsel www.lc.org or at 407-875-2100.
6. Inform Employees of the School District.
Go to the school website to locate the email addresses of teachers and administrators in the school involved. Email them the GLSEN article found at the Focus on the Family website, www.family.org. Type GLSEN in the search block. This is a great article to forward throughout the community to any interested individuals. The Lord may lead you to inform other districts as GLSEN activities are student generated. Parents may be completely unaware of GLSEN activity. Place notes in your student’s cumulative file that you want to be notified if sexual orientation is addressed in any way at school. Request that parental permission be sought prior to student involvement in any extracurricular activity or sign an opt-out note for your child. Organize with other parents as one person objecting may not be taken seriously. Go as a group to board meetings.
7. Inform the local churches.
Write or call local pastors and let them know of the activities at your school. Youth pastors can help students get out the message by passing out ex-gay literature to their youth group to distribute on the school campus.
8. Inform the local community.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper and call TV and radio station managers to see if they would do a story. Remember to not appear as a radical right wing extremist. Keep the story focused on the balance of presenting both perspectives on human sexuality as found in the resources listed above.
Most school boards are given information by the superintendent. In many cases he/she is making decisions based on advice from attorneys that hold to a particular view on the issue. The board members may never have heard of the ex-gay perspective. Your letter can help. Attend board meetings regularly to stay informed. Pray before school visits or when asking questions of staff.
10. Pray.
In Matthew 18: 6 & 7 the Lord Jesus gives a stern warning to those who take part in teaching children harmful things. It is our obligation to get involved. You may not have children in public education but your tax dollars pays for it. And in addition, there are many teachers who struggle daily to shine light in a dark place. Pray for them. And when you pray, expect the Lord to send you out. And again finally, pray that God would grant our message favor in America's public schools. Deliverance is possible through Jesus Christ.
Proposed Board Policy for Equal Time
Equal Time Policy
Whereas the heart of American education is the free exchange of ideas, and Whereas ideas about sexuality have an important and lasting impact upon the lives of children and youths, and Whereas certain groups view the public school system as a place to discuss homosexuality with children, and Whereas the general public is deeply divided on the many issues related to homosexuality and their place in the public school system. Therefore, the ___________________ (Board of Trustees) hereby establishes that in this school district, when issues related to sexual orientation theory, homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism, or any other are addressed to students in any manner or form in which these conditions or behaviors are presented, that equal time and access shall be provided to those who embrace the ex-gay perspective.
Proposed Board Policy for Parent Permission for Club Participation
Resolution IMPLEMENTING BOARD POLICY to require Parental Consent for Participation in Extracurricular Clubs
WHEREAS, maintaining, promoting, and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the pupils in the _______________ School District is an overriding concern and a compelling state interest;
WHEREAS, the board of trustees is charged with the duty of protecting tax dollars entrusted to the School District;
WHEREAS, reducing liability is necessary to protect scarce public resources;
WHEREAS, this board policy will decrease the liability of the School District and will serve to maintain, promote, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the pupils in the _________________School District;
WHEREAS, participation in clubs can augment the educational experience of pupils;
WHEREAS, this policy does not discriminate based upon viewpoint and is thus content neutral;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that on this date, __/__/____, the governing board of the ________________ School District adopts this resolution implementing board policy No. ___________ which states, as follows:
BP___: Parental or Guardian Consent for Participation in Clubs or Organizations.
A signed prior authorization from a parent or guardian shall be a prerequisite for any pupil to attend, join, or otherwise participate in, any extracurricular club which uses School District facilities.
The content of the authorization shall provide information as follows:
a. the name of the club;
b.
a brief description of the purpose of the club;
c.
the times when meetings are held;
d.
the types of activities that the club engages in;
e.
the faculty sponsor; and,
f.
notice that the parent or guardian may have a copy of the club’s articles and bylaws.