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(Fairfax, Virginia) A Fairfax County School
Board member who told principals to invite speakers into their schools to
present the "ex-gay perspective" has been reprimanded by his peers.
The Board voted unanimously Thursday night to
censure Stephen M. Hunt.
The letter was sent to all 24 high school
principals in the school district. (story)
It called homosexuality a "very destructive
lifestyle" and said students need to be offered a choice.
Hunt's letter also called for schools to invite
conservative groups like Concerned Women for America into the schools.
"Children are being taught that
homosexuality is normal and natural. It is neither," Hunt wrote. "To
state that it is normal or natural is to promote the myth that accompanies the
homosexual activist rhetoric."
During the two hour meeting of the Board, several
members say they were flooded with e-mails and phone calls condemning to Hunt's letter.
"The letter sent by Mr. Hunt was not
authorized by and does not reflect the views of the School Board," a
statement issued by the Board after the meeting said. "The School Board
continues to support the family life education curriculum and its treatment of
this sensitive subject."
Following the rebuke Hunt issued an apology for his actions,
"especially [to] those of the homosexual community, that may have been
given the impression that I do not respect their rights."
Hunt said that he never intended to stir up
animosity. He also said he does not want the school's curriculum to change
but added that he is concerned that students who believe homosexuality is wrong
cannot express their opinion without being considered discriminatory.
©365Gay.com 2005
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