Parents warned of 'hate speech' during 'gay' promo

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Parents warned of 'hate speech' during 'gay' promo
Principal says support for homosexuality approved, but 'condemnation' banned

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Posted: April 25, 2008
12:10 am Eastern

Mass Resistance says hundreds of these pro-"gay" shirts have been distributed free to students in Massachusetts schools on the "Day of Silence"

A principal in a Massachusetts school district with a well-established reputation of promoting homosexuality to students has written to parents to tell them distributing "religious materials" during the school's annual observance of the pro-homosexual "Day of Silence" is not appropriate.

The letter from Michael Jones of Lexington, Mass., High School also confirms "hate speech" is "subject to legal constraints" and messages communicated through slogan T-shirts, buttons or stickers that express "condemnation" are "discouraged." Students with such a message will be counseled by school officials to meet the guidelines of the school handbook, he wrote.

However, groups that have been given his approval are allowed to hand out promotional materials to others and positive messages about the "Day of Silence" such as "Vocal Supporter" and "Silent Supporter" fall under free speech guidelines, Jones said.

The "Day of Silence" is a promotion intended, ostensibly, to make students "aware" of the "discrimination" suffered by homosexuals in society, by having students and teachers remain silent for the day. Such events typically are organized by a school's "Gay-Straight Alliance" group, but the event has been promoted throughout its existence by the special interest group, the massively funded Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

The event is being recognized tomorrow in many school districts around the nation, although in Massachusetts schools are scheduling the promotion on April 30 because of other school calendar issues.

WND previously reported on a concerted effort by dozens of organizations to alert parents to the indoctrination effects of school observances of such a day, with parents being urged to keep their children home from schools whenever the event is held.

"It's outrageous that our neighborhood schools would allow homosexual activism to intrude into the classroom," said Buddy Smith of the American Family Association, one group on that long list of organizations working to provide information to parents.

"'Day of Silence' is about coercing students to repudiate traditional morality. It's time for Christian parents to draw the line – if your children will be exposed to this DOS propaganda in their school, then keep them home for the day," he said.

The letter from the Lexington principal was being highlighted by officials with Mass Resistance, a pro-family group that is battling a long list of anti-Christian influences in Massachusetts schools.

"He describes the Day of Silence in positive, affirming terms – just the opposite of what parents feel. He then portrays it as a calm, free-speech event that is not disruptive to the education process, violates no one's rights, and which does not constitute the school taking a political position on the issue. That's simply not true," the organization said in a website commentary.

"The act of students (and even staff) being silent all day is a clear disruption of the education process," the group said.

Mass Resistance is one of the main groups that has been monitoring the Lexington district ever since officials there signed a complaint that ended up with a father, David Parker, jailed after he objected to the district teaching his young son homosexual behavior.

His case is being prepared for submission to the U.S. Supreme Court now, but in the latest conflict created by the school's homosexual advocacy, WND reported when the district told another worried father the school district could and would teach students about homosexuality when it chose and without letting parents know or giving them an opportunity to withdraw their children from such instruction.

In the current letter to parents, the principal begins talking about graffiti including a "homophobic" remark that he has reported to police.

"I have asked anyone who has information about this incident to talk to one of the deans or other staff members in the school," he advises. "I assure you that the proper steps are being taken to investigate this matter…"

He then goes on to announce to parents the "annual observance of the Day of Silence" will be April 30th.

"He first discusses some unrelated vandalism, then segues into the Day of Silence and its critics. The subtle hint is that there could be some connection," Mass Resistance said.

Mass Resistance also noted the implication that negative responses to the homosexual promotion could be linked to "hate speech."

"He states that 'hate speech' – i.e., criticism of the Day of Silence or homosexuality – is 'subject to legal constraints.' But hate speech is not defined beyond a vague phrase about 'tasteless communication,' 'threats,' or singling out individuals 'for ridicule or condemnation.' Thus, they define what 'hate speech' is," the commentary said.

The principal's comment that the promotion "is not a school-sponsored event," is "profoundly misleading if not outright false," the group said. "It is school-sanctioned. And it is unquestionably organized by some school staff, as anyone who has observed it in the past could see."

"The homosexual club will be distributing pamphlets, stickers, and other materials. Can other groups do so? No. Only groups that are 'properly registered with the administration' and which have 'approval of the administration' can distribute literature," Mass Resistance said.

The group noted last year a student's father was escorted off campus by police for bringing anti-Day of Silence pamphlets into the school for kids to pass out.

"He says that people may wear buttons or stickers expressing their personal views. A few years ago at Lexington High a girl with a one-man-one-woman marriage sticker was assaulted by pro-gay students on the Day of Silence. And others were severely harassed and intimidated. The school did nothing," Mass Resistance said.

And as for the ban on "religious materials," the group said, "We've seen a lot of blatantly anti-religious material distributed by the homosexual groups. The event itself is essentially anti-religious in the eyes of many parents."

"Our message to parents: Continue to fight back!" the group said.

The campaign in which Mass Resistance is participating that calls for parents to keep their children home of the "Day of Silence" for 2008 has collected the support of a long list of prominent organizations.

Matt Barber, a spokesman for Concerned Women for America, said the day "amounts to educational malpractice."

"Our schools are supposed to be places of learning, not places of political indoctrination. It is the height of impropriety and cynicism for 'gay' activists and school officials to use children as pawns in their attempt to further a highly controversial and polarizing political agenda," he said.

Parents, the coalition says, should find out the date a local district is allowing the promotion, then they should "inform the school of your intention to keep your children home on that date and explain why."

Among the groups already promoting the protest are:

Abiding Truth Ministries
American Family Association
AFA of MI
AFA of PA
Americans for Truth
Christian Information Service
Christian Civic League of Maine
Concerned Women for America
Culture Campaign
Defend the Family International
Exodus Mandate
Illinois Family Institute
Traditional Values Coalition
Indiana Voice for the Family
Informing Christians
Liberty Counsel
MassResistance
Mission America
New Generation Christian Center
Parents' Rights' Coalition
Right March
Stephen Bennett Ministries
Values USA
and Watchmen on the Walls
WND also has reported on other fallout from the "Day of Silence."

A case is pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California that challenges a school district's policy there that allows such slogans as "Stop the Hate," "fags," "queers," "that's so gay" and even "I Kiss Boys," but bans "Romans 1:27."

The case stems from punishment handed down by the Poway Unified School District for student Chase Harper, who was a sophomore in 2004 when the school recognized the "Day of Silence."

But when Harper wore a T-shirt with two slogans: "Be ashamed. Our school has embraced what God has condemned" and "Homosexuality is shameful. Romans 1:27," he was ordered either to take the shirt off or spend the day in the school office, where he was photographed, questioned and challenged by a police officer.

A filing submitted on the student's behalf by the Alliance Defense Fund and Advocates for Faith and Freedom, said school districts are not allowed the privilege of such censorship.