A Christian Parent in Support of the California FAIR Education Act

For those of you familiar with the California's FAIR Education Act (SB48), it is the latest target for many Christian groups who believe that homosexuality is a sin. Motivations are far more complex than that, but for me to try and capture what my brothers and sisters in Christ on that side of the aisle believe would be unfair. Suffice it to say, they are none too happy about this recently signed into law legislation and there is a well-organized effort underway to place a referendum on the ballot that would repeal the law.

In a nutshell...

The Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act would amend the Education Code to include social sciences instruction on the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. This bill would also prohibit discriminatory instruction and discriminatory materials from being adopted by the State Board of Education. (PDF Fact Sheet)

Obviously, there are going to be many interpretations of this new law and the usual suspects -- yours truly included -- will line up along our normal lines and ramp up our PR machines. Consider this post as my stepping up to the line in defense and gratitude for the FAIR Education Act on behalf of my children and other people of faith who feel as I do about homosexuality.

I think it's GREAT that my children will be offered a broader glimpse into the history of the world around them and that the pioneers and prophets who happened to be LGBT will be part of the richer story of the world that is told. So much is already missing from our teaching of history that any attempt to provide a wider exposure to and understanding of events is welcomed by this parent. I also want to again affirm that, as a Christian, I simply reject the idea that homosexuality is a sin. We are not going to be able to solve the struggle some folks have with understanding the context and interpretation of scripture both verse by verse and in its entirety, but I want to be sure that the voice of faith in this ongoing struggle is not surrendered to those who would condemn my LGBT brothers and sisters.

Part of my calling in life and ministry is as a board member for California Faith for Equality, an organization that works with communities of faith who support and affirm the LGBT community. By engaging in training, advocacy and organizing around issues of marriage, bullying, education, etc., we boldly claim that faith traditions who would work against LGBT rights do not speak for all people of faith. It has been a privilege to serve as part of this group.

In response to recent efforts to repeal the FAIR Education Act, we have put together a quick video for people to watch and share. There is going be anti-FAIR messaging that exploits people's fear about sexual indoctrination, fiscal contraints and parental rights, so please share this alternative voice with those who might have heard about the repeal movement and need more info.

Please share this as you feel called!

HUGE THANKS to Rev. Monte McLain, Presbyterian Church (USA) pastor, for speaking some powerful words; Photon Creative for providing production equipment; Adler & Co Gallery for opening up their space for filming and finally, the production crew: Husband and wife team, Dessiree and Brandon McFarland, Tyler Davis and Dakota Wilder. You all rock.

You can also stay connect with CA Faith for Equality on Twitter and Facebook.

Please feel free to comment on the original post on Patheos.

 

Follow Bruce Reyes-Chow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/breyeschow

Comments

[been2there]

06:08 PM on 09/25/2011

If a group wants to prevent students from learning that greatness--as defined by them--can be found in LGBT people, that tells you that they are bigots who are teaching a lie. Period.

[tutorintoledo]

02:35 PM on 09/25/2011

I don't mind including these people if they made a contribution equal to others - but I HATE having to talk about someone from a certain race/religeon/creed/orientation that really didn't do anything. It's lipservice and degrading in my opinion. People should be treated as people regardless of these things - both pro and con.

A man or woman should stand on thier merit - not on sexual preference, race, or religeon.

[been2there]

06:09 PM on 09/25/2011

Would you consider Eleanor Rooseveldt, Alexander the Great, Julius Ceasar, and Michaelangelo worthy of respect? They are all LGBT.

[mothergrace]

12:20 PM on 09/21/2011

Thank you for speaking out. I wish that more Christians who thought as you do spoke out (loudly) as a counterbalance to those who present the worst face of your religion.

[ashiraladonai777]

02:41 PM on 09/19/2011

@phal4875 "Bigotry and rights are not mutually exclusive. The Westboro Baptist "Church" has free speech rights, but most people see the members of that organization as vile bigots."

As far as WBC goes, on that we do agree. I would also add that it isn't the first time in history that anyone's used a religion for hateful purposes. As far as I am concerned, the actions of the members of this church drive people away from the Only One who can help them, & they are "Christians" in name only. I will grant them one thing though: unlike many churches today which avoid the topic of sin as not politically correct, they do address it headon...

[graceaustin]

01:04 AM on 09/19/2011

I absolutely agree that the FAIR education act is essential in our schools. Homosexual Americans have been systematically dehumanized by good 'christians' for decades, leaving our young with a deplorable attitude toward homosexual people that leaves them vulnerable to attack, both physically and psychologically. Certainly their societal contributions should be taught! We have got to undo the damage done to these people NOW! Hate has had it's way long enough.

[ashiraladonai777]

01:15 PM on 09/19/2011

I don't agree with it as essential in the least. I think, if anything, it only confirms in my mind that an agenda has been set in motion:

http://library.gayhomeland.org/0018/EN/EN_Overhauling_Straight.htm

[ashiraladonai777]

01:22 PM on 09/19/2011

This is from Qweerty:

http://www.queerty.com/can-we-please-just-start-admitting-that-we-do-actually-want-to-indoctrinate-kids-20110512/

[graceaustin]

05:26 PM on 09/19/2011

That one line on the link makes my case. Thanks.

[mikeyc252]

09:53 PM on 09/18/2011

This law is dumb. If a "pioneers [or] prophet's" LGBT status is important to history/literature/whatever, cover it. If it's not, don't. There's no need to set aside separate "instruction" about LGBT contributions; it makes it as big of an educational joke as Black History Month. Oh you know, schools spend a month or a week talking about accomplished black people, not because they're accomplished, but because they're black. Then it's back to business as usual.

People criticize this for being agenda-driven, and it is. It offers no contribution to the education of youth, it's just political bullshit.

[Cindbird]

10:14 PM on 09/18/2011

This law insures that TRUTH will be taught in schools. It insures that people like Alexander the Great, Socrates, Lord Byron, Walt Whitman, and Virgina Woolf no longer have to have their history scrubbed in order to present it in the classroom. It allows for ALL of their biography to be presented as well as important historical incidents like the murder of Harvey Milk. It's not a "dumb law", it is a law which has needed to be passed for years. And in answer to the inevitable question in your head, NO, I'm not gay. I simply believe that, just as the true history of the Native American should be taught, so should the truth about historical figures who were homosexual. As should the truth be taught about historical incidents which specifically effected the homosexual community, like the repeal of DADT and the murders of Harvey Milk and Matthew Shepard.

[ashiraladonai777]

12:21 AM on 09/19/2011

Is it truth they seek or revision? There is a difference.

[PrimitiveMan]

10:43 PM on 09/18/2011

Oh, and it is interesting that Christian Fundamentalists are opposed to anti-bullying efforts in Wisconsin because it "violates their free speech rights". That is the agenda of too many of those opposed to these kind of efforts -- to force public institutions to reflect their bigotry.

[ashiraladonai777]

12:22 AM on 09/19/2011

Please define what you classify as bigotry. You may not like their position, but they still do have rights, too.