Opponents Of Montgomery County, Md., Sex Education Curriculum Will Not Appeal Court Ruling

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 11 Mar 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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Opponents of a new sex education curriculum for Montgomery County, Md. public schools said they will not appeal a recent court ruling in favor of the lessons, the Washington Post reports (Greenwall, Washington Post, 3/7). Circuit Court Judge William Rowan had ruled on Jan. 31 that middle and high schools in Montgomery County may continue the curriculum, which teaches students that sexual orientation is innate and includes a condom demonstration video for 10th-graders. Parental consent is required to participate.

The groups Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, Family Leader Network and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays challenged implementation of the curriculum (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/5). CRC spokesperson Michelle Turner said, "We realize that we're not going to get the outcome we're looking for in a Montgomery County court, but we're far from done." She added that the group thinks "there are other avenues that would be more timely and have a greater impact." According to the Post, CRC objected to lessons that categorize homosexuality as innate, saying they violate a state law that says teachings must be factual. The organization also opposed a mention of anal intercourse, saying it violates a law against teaching "erotic techniques." Turner said CRC will push for the state Legislature or State Board of Education to define what constitutes an erotic technique.

Brian Edwards, chief of staff for Montgomery Superintendent Jerry Weast, welcomed CRC's decision not to appeal. "We are going to focus on instruction," Edwards said, adding, "We are not going to focus on actions they may or may not take in other venues" (Washington Post, 3/7).

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