(Columbia, SC) South Carolina lawmakers want to prevent violence in teen relationships but won’t allow a new school program aimed at curbing such abuse to mention gay and lesbian partnerships.

State representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday to bar any mention of homosexual relationships in the new program for middle and high school students. The move was pushed by lawmakers who said they don’t want schools teaching about gay relationships and said they doubt those partnerships have high levels of abuse.

“I do not want the Department of Education or school districts teaching our children in grades six through 12 about same-sex relationships,” said Rep. Greg Delleney, a Chester Republican who pushed to make the violence prevention program apply only to heterosexual relationships. “I’m sure it would develop into that.”

The measure, which was swiftly condemned by gay rights advocates passed the GOP-dominated House 75-25 and should head to the Senate next week. It initially was intended to curb youth violence in a state that consistently ranks high in the number of women killed by men.

Steve Ralls, national spokesman for Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays, said he had not heard of another state with an anti-dating violence program that excluded same-sex relationships.

“We are astounded that there are those who would prioritize their own homophobia ahead of the safety of the young people of South Carolina,” he said. “Lesbian and gay young people are often doubly vulnerable when they are in environments where they are disrespected and adults are sending clear messages that their well-being isn’t as important.”

Bill sponsor Rep. Joan Brady said excluding gay relationships is fine and declared that, “Traditional domestic violence occurs in a man-woman, boy-girl situation.”

“The fact is, this is a gender-specific, abusive behavior. The overwhelming predominance of dating abuse occurs in a traditional or heterosexual relationship,” said Brady, R-Columbia.

However, a 2004 Journal of Adolescent Health study found that youths involved in same-sex dating are just as likely to experience dating violence as those in relationships with members of the opposite sex.

Brady later said she was comparing total numbers of violent relationships – of which there are more between partners of the opposite sex. She also said her information came from the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault. Group spokeswoman Rebecca Williams-Agee said while sheer numbers show most dating violence cases involve boys abusing girls, all groups need to be considered, especially gay teens who may already be facing issues with their sexual orientation in a conservative state.

“When it comes to advocating for people, you don’t get to choose who to advocate for. No one deserves to be hurt or violated in any way,” Williams-Agee said.

One lawmaker who opposed the measure said his colleagues were making a terrible mistake.

“For those people that are truly trying to stomp out abuse in South Carolina, to suggest that people that are in nontraditional relationships don’t deserve help is asinine,” said Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Columbia.

Meanwhile, the mother of a gay man who was killed outside a Greenville County bar two years ago said South Carolina lawmakers shouldn’t decide to protect some children and not others. Her son’s assailant pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

“It’s kind of scary, especially when we start talking about, ‘Well, let’s see, let’s pick and choose which kids we’re going to protect.’ Are they going to make a difference between black and white, too?” said Elke Kennedy. “We cannot stand by and continue to let them pass laws based on bias.”