Realwomen of BC - Archives - Jan2003

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Teacher harassed by BCCT It seems that expressing your opinion by writing letters to your local paper might cause you your job. This is happening to a public school teacher from Quesnel. Mr. Chris Kempling, a public school teacher and counselor for 13 years, with two masters’ degrees and an almost complete doctorate in psychology, has been accused by the BC College of Teachers of conduct “unbecoming of a public school teacher.” The BCCT claims that everything Mr. Kempling wrote in letters to his local paper as well as his doctoral research papers was “discriminatory and derogatory.” Mr. Kempling expressed his concern about the pro-homosexual agenda in the public schools. For example, in the letters to his local newspaper, Mr. Kempling pointed out that only about 3% of the population was homosexual and not l0% as often claimed, and that the homosexual newspaper Xtra West was not an appropriate resource for the classroom. Additionally, Mr. Kempling voiced his concern regarding the Gay and Lesbian Educators of BC (GALE) and their pro-homosexual propaganda within the public schools. GALE published “Counselling Lesbian and Gay Youth” in which teachers are directed to “dishonour the attitude that heterosexuality is the only acceptable orientation.” Mr. Kempling also pointed out that people can overcome homosexual inclinations and that help is available for those that seek it. He cited medical facts from sources such as Health Canada, the US Centre for Disease Control, and the New England Journal of Medicine to point out that the homosexual lifestyle has serious health risks. Mr. Kempling expressed his views during the summer months, writing to the local paper as well as his elected representatives. A resident in Quesnel, without any children in the public school system, did not like what Mr. Kempling had written and complained to the BCCT who acted upon this one complained from a non-member with great speed. Refusing Mr. Kempling any funds for his legal defence, the BCCT found him guilty and claimed that “everything you have written in its entirety is derogatory and discriminatory.” The British Columbia College of Teacher’s “sentencing” session took place for three hours on November l8. The panel recommended a one-month suspension without pay for Mr. Kempling. The final decision will be made on January 23, 2003. Mr. Kempling has already appealed the original verdict of the BCCT finding him guilty of “conduct unbecoming for a member of the BCCT.” Mr. Kempling also contacted the Citizens Research Institute for help. CRI reviewed the material on Mr. Kempling and compared it with statements made by Mr. James Chamberlain, a public school teacher and homosexual activist. CRI considered Mr. Chamberlain’s statements unsubstantiated, contemptuous and false and decided to file a complained with the BCCT, putting the complaint in the same words as was used in the complaint against Mr. Kempling. However, the BCCT refused to pursue the complaint against Mr. Chamberlain. CRI decided to take this matter to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal on behalf of Chris Kempling, accusing the BCCT of arbitrarily persecuting and prosecuting one of its members over another for the benefit of a specific political agenda. Also, Mr. Kempling is not the only one who found himself in such a difficult position. (A fund has been established to help Mr. Kempling and other teachers who find themselves in this situation. If you would like to support Mr. Kempling, please make your cheque payable to Christian Public School Teachers’ Legal Defense Fund and send it to the following address: Christian Public School Teachers'' Legal Defense Fund c/o Jim Sagert 798 Beaubien Ave Quesnel, BC V2J 1S5
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Teacher harassed by BCCT