Realwomen of BC - Archives - April2003

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To All Pro-Family People in British Columbia: An Urgent Call for Action The word “urgent” should be reserved for occasions which demand immediate and forceful action. But we do not hesitate to use it in connection with the situation which in the next little while must be faced by the Surrey School Board. The decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of “Chamberlain versus the Surrey School Board" is one that has profound implications for all of British Columbia—indeed all of Canada. The school board trustees in the Surrey School District had declined to approve as teaching materials three primary books which pro-homosexuality activists had requested. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled this past December that the trustees'' decision was “unreasonable in the context of the educational scheme laid down by the legislature,” and ordered the School Board to revisit their decision. Thus the School Board is under heavy pressure to cave in and approve books which are part of a concerted effort to use the schools to promote a favourable attitude towards homosexual behaviour. In no way is this a genuine issue of the protection of children from harassment. This school board has made it abundantly clear that it will not tolerate the harassment or mistreatment of children in the schools. And those of us who oppose the approval as teaching materials of the books in question have been clear in stating that all children, no matter what their beliefs or their families'' beliefs are, deserve safe school environments. The goals of pro-homosexual activists are clear. In January, the Vancouver Sun reported: “The men who went to Canada’s highest court to bring books about same-sex families into Surrey kindergartens are now seeking an order that would compel all teachers to deliver positive messages about homosexuality throughout the curriculum.” Now is the time when all pro-family people in British Columbia need to send a strong message to the Surrey School Board to hold fast. This school board which in the past has taken such a strong stand on behalf of parents, needs to refuse to back down now. And we can help them do this by sending them a strong message that we appreciate their past defence of parents'' rights and we expect them to refuse to compromise that stand by bowing to pressure now. Here are some things we need to do: 1. People from around British Columbia (and beyond) need to send reasonable, forceful letters on this matter to the Surrey School Board. While we’re at it, we should send copies to the Premier and the Minister of Education. Contact information is given at the end of this article. In any communication to the School Board or to the provincial government--whether by "regular" hard-copy letter or by e-mail--be sure to include your name and address! If you have a special ability to write letters to the editor, write a well-reasoned letter and send it simultaneously to several newspapers. (For stats purposes, please send a copy of your letter to REAL Women at the above address or, if by email, to the above email address) 2. Attend a Surrey School Board Meeting, and ask pertinent questions during question period. (Surrey School Board meetings are scheduled to be held at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, located at 14245 – 56th Avenue, Surrey, on the following dates: Thursday, May 8; Thursday, May 22; and Thursday, June 12. All British Columbians are welcome to attend the meetings and pose their questions to the members of the Board, regardless of whether they have children in the Surrey School District, or not. A 30-minute question period is held at the end of each meeting. Each person is permitted to make a very brief statement preceding the question. The written question must be dropped in the question box. The School Board will reply, in writing, in due course.) 3. We encourage any pro-family organization which has members living in the Surrey School District (organization can be province wide) to have a member present to Surrey School Board a reasoned position paper on behalf of the Surrey members of such an organization. (A time-frame of 15 minutes per organization is allocated. However, organizations must contact the office of Secretary/Treasurer at 604-596-7733, for permission. Copies of the brief must be available for the Board.) The following are some arguments that can be used against pro-homosexuality propaganda in the schools (please do not use religious reasons): The medical argument regarding the danger of homosexual behaviour The argument that such material is not age-appropriate for the children it is designed for The fact that reparative or restorative therapy can be effective in changing homosexual tendencies to heterosexual ones—contrary to much that has been said and implied in the pro-homosexuality materials A respect for parental rights ought to prevent the portrayal of homosexual behaviours as acceptable. Many parents are going to continue to withdraw their children from the public schools if those schools are used to propagandize for the approval of homosexual behaviour. Here is some contact information: Surrey School Board (School District No. 36) 14225—56th Ave., Surrey, BC V3X 3A3 E-mail Surrey School Board using the e-mailing facility at http://www.sd36.bc.ca/feedback.html or e-mail Mary Polak, Chairperson, at polak_mary@fc.sd36.bc.ca Hon. Christy Clark, Minister of Education P.O. Box 9045 Stn. Provincial Government Victoria, BC V8W 9E2 E-mail: christy.clark.mla@leg.bc.ca Fax: 250-387-3200 Hon. Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia Room 156 Parliament Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 E-mail: premier@gov.bc.ca Fax: 250-387-0087 (The above information was received by BC Parents and Teachers for Life. Please visit the BC Parents and Teachers website (www.BCPTL.org) if you need information to help you with your letters and presentations. From the home page, using the “Table of Contents,” go to “Supreme Court of Canada Decision Re Pro-Homosexuality School Materials” and “Research Sources.” In the left-hand margin, click on “Opposing the Pro-Homosexuality Agenda.” You can also e-mail BC Parents and Teachers for Life (at executive@BCPTL.org). But please remember that your letter does not need to be long or complicated. In a letter, it should be sufficient to include one or two points courteously and forcefully made. Remember: do not use religious reasons!)
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To All Pro-Family People in British Columbia: An Urgent Call for Action