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(Richmond, Virginia) Virginia's House of
Delegates passed legislation Tuesday allowing local school boards to prohibit
the use of school facilities by groups they believe encourage promiscuity.
Opponents of Del. Matthew Lohr's bill claim its real purpose is to dissolve
gay-straight alliances, which typically meet on campus.
Dyana Mason, head of Equality Virginia warned that the legislation would
essentially dissolve the gay-straight alliances, which typically meet on school
grounds.
But Lohr, R-Harrisonburg, said during debate Monday that the bill does not
target any specific group.
"This bill is not aimed at one particular group," Lohr told House
members. "The intent is to give local school boards more control over the
types of groups which use the buildings."
But when pressed by Falls Church Democratic Del.
James Scott about which groups could be interpreted as addressing sexual issues,
Lohr referred to a situation involving a Chesterfield County gay-straight
student alliance last year.
In that case, Lohr said school officials canceled
a planned book signing by a gay author after it was learned the author would be
including a steamy novel about gay fraternity sex.
Lohr argued school officials should have been
able to quash the group entirely.
"Whether it be homosexual or heterosexual,
school is just not the place to be talking about sexual activity," said
Lohr, adding he would encourage schools to disband heterosexually oriented
groups that promoted teen sex.
With little debate, the House voted 70-29 to pass
the bill.
The House also voted 68-31 to pass a bill sponsored by Del. L. Scott
Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, requiring family life education programs to
encourage abstinence as the only guarantee against unwanted pregnancy.
Both bills now go to the Senate, where a bill identical to Lohr's died in
committee last year.
©365Gay.com 2006
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