LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING

How Did Pro-homosexual Policies Find Their Way Into Our Public School System?

1. On December 24th, 1985, Governor Booth Gardner signed Executive Order 85-09 (EO 85-09), giving special status to homosexuals and lesbians in state employment.

This marked a formal beginning of the effort to cause Washington state government to officially confer minority status upon homosexuals, lesbians and bisexuals.

In 1993, Mike Lowry signed Executive order 93-07 (EO 93-07), expanding state recognition of homosexual lifestyles and creating a "liaison within the governor's policy office to work with the community and appropriate agencies and institutions as an advocate on issues of concern to homosexuals and lesbians in the state." {Exhibit A}

We do not debate whether the intent of EO 93-07 was to include the public school system in such advocacy. Documentation provided in this briefing will reveal conclusive evidence that EO 93-07 has been interpreted as a mandate by activists within state agencies and institutions.

For additional insight into Governor Mike Lowry's commitment to homosexual special interests and education, it is only necessary to examine his Proclamations regarding the observance of "Lesbian Gay Cinema Days" (an annual event in which pornographic, homo-erotic movies are shown in lecture halls on the campus of The Evergreen State College).

In the proclamations, Lowry urges all citizens of Washington to join him "in this observance, in recognition and appreciation of the gifts of this talented group of people." His reasoning is that "the strength of our great state is derived from its wonderful diversity." Note the accompanying still pictures and descriptions of the movies offered. {Exhibit B}

On multiple occasions, Washington for Traditional Values Executive Director Robert R. Larimer, Jr. has asked Mike Lowry publicly (with television cameras rolling), whether he believes that public school children should be presented with homosexuality as a healthy, alternative lifestyle. Lowry's answers have included: "I don't know how to answer that question," and "I am not going to answer that question because it is based on a false premise."

2. The Washington State Department of Social and Heath Services (DSHS) was recently embroiled in controversy because of its complicity in promulgating an illegal "Survey of adolescent health behaviors" in the public school system. In this survey, unlawful questions regarding student sexuality and religious beliefs were asked, along with many other questions which invade the privacy and sanctity of family, home life and firmly held beliefs. {Exhibit C}

The stated purpose of the survey (developed in conjunction with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Department of Health), is to assess student behaviors in order to "reduce the impact on student learning due to lost classroom time." The only logical use of such intrusive evaluations of student attitudes and conduct is to attempt to change targeted attitudes and conduct.

DSHS has also instituted "diversity training" for all DSHS employees which attempts to convince state workers to adopt new attitudes about subjects such as homosexuality (based on findings in the DSHS "Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Concerns, Final Report 1993"). It should be noted that throughout this document, produced with taxpayer dollars, the term "sexual minorities" is in constant use. This casually ignores the fact that for 17 years, attempts by pro-homosexual special interests to gain special, minority status have been repeatedly defeated in Washington's Legislature. {Exhibit D}

While a majority of DSHS workers who responded to the department's own surveys indicated that diversity training was not necessary, the "Task Force" attempted to hold community hearings in which public testimony would demonstrate a need for more sensitivity to "gay and lesbian concerns." The community hearings were dismal failures due to lack of interest and attendance.

Not easily discouraged, the DSHS "Task Force" then held "forums" in "facilities determined to be most likely to encourage local participation in a safe and supportive environment." This actually meant that tax dollars were used so that DSHS representatives could travel the state and hold meetings in gay bars such as JS PUMPS in Spokane, and at Tacoma's 733 gay bar and dance club.

By DSHS's own tally (pg. 11 of the Final Report), a maximum total of 70 "diverse" people attended the above "forums" which resulted in the recommendations in DSHS's Final Report on Gay and Lesbian Conerns, 1993. Those recommendations include: {Pg. 24, Exhibit D}

Page 28 of the DSHS Final Report begins an eleven page listing of "The DSHS Task Force On Gay And Lesbian Concerns Resource Work Group Data Base As Of January 7, 1993." These "available resources" used by DSHS include the A Capella/Gay Church of Christ Support Group, Affirmation - Gay/Lesbian Mormons, AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (Act-Up), Alliance for Gay Youth of Tacoma, American Civil Liberties Union, Association of Gay and Lesbian State Employees, Coming Out Rap Group, Employee Association for Gays and Lesbians (EAGLE), US West Communications, Feminist Karate Union, Gay and Lesbian Youth Association (GLYAS), Hemlock Society of Washington State, Just Out (Portland, OR), LIGHTS (Lesbian and Gay Humanists), Lavender Network (Eugene, OR), National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), Privacy Fund, Queer Nation, Radical Women, Seattle Gay News, Seattle Municipal Elections Committee, Stonewall Committee for Lesbian/Gay Rights and the Transvestite/ Transexual Support Group. All in all, the list is a markedly one-sided gathering of advocacy groups.

W.T.V. is certain that a similar listing of pro-life advocacy organizations is not likely to appear in state documents as "resources" for government agencies. Aside from ethical concerns, we question the legality of DSHS collusion with groups such as Privacy Fund, which exist for the sole purpose of collecting money for political action. We call for an immediate and thorough investigation into this matter by the Legislature.

Washington for Traditional Values is able to supply names of DSHS employees who are willing to testify that the diversity training they underwent included advocacy of the homosexual lifestyle as the legal, societal and public health equivalent of heterosexual relationships. These employees felt that their attitudes, beliefs and values were under attack.

3. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), while involved with DSHS in the unlawful Survey of Adolescent Health Behaviors, has also taken part in activities which advocate government approval of the homosexual lifestyle. The "Equity Education Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction" holds "Equity Network" meetings around the state four times per year which include "sexual diversity" issues.

In March 1994, OSPI expected to gain approval for a joint "Equity in Education Policy" {Exhibit E-1, points 1 and 8}, which would have called for recruitment based on sexual orientation in the hiring of public school teachers. Overwhelming testimony from concerned citizens and organizations (including WTV), helped to prevent passage of this portion of the equity policy.

A February, 1993 pro-homosexual education seminar in the Tri-Cities called IT'S STILL TIME: ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL YOUTH carried an endorsement by the OSPI (as well as the Washington Education Association).

A pamphlet from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department was handed out at the above seminar. Titled Oral Sex, HIV and STDs, it contained statements such as: "We don't know if spitting out semen or vaginal fluids is safer than swallowing them . . . We don't know if oral-anal contact (rimming) can transmit the virus....Remember, it is easier to enjoy great sex if you are not worried about HIV. To get ideas for hot safer sex or support, talk to the AIDS Prevention Program staff at 591-6060." {Exhibits E & F}

Further evidence of OSPI involvement in pro-homosexual public school programs is its entaglement (again with significant participation by the Washington Education Association, WEA), in the recently formed "Safe Schools Coalition." Purportedly an effort to document and address a supposed crisis of "violence and defamation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students and staff in Washington state schools," the coalition is actually another vehicle to normalize homosexuality in the public school setting. {Exhibit G}

Members of Washington for Traditional Values were able to attend and debunk an introductory Safe Schools Coalition "news conference" held at the University of Washington on August 31, 1994. Clearly a staged public relations ploy, the rehearsed testimony of student "victims" and coalition members did not hold up to simple questions such as "Is there any reason why what happens to homosexual or lesbian students at school is more important than what happens to other students?" As WTV Executive Director Robert R. Larimer, Jr. also pointed out at the news conference, HB 1569, the "Malicious Harassment" law, already mandates detailed and specific reporting by all law enforcement agencies in the state. The coalition's "documentation" of incidents is redundant. {Exhibits H & I}

An "Equity Edge Project" sign recently posted in many public school classrooms carries the message that "Homophobic Remarks Are Not Acceptable Here." Students are either left to themselves to self-censor by deciding what homophobic statements might be, or guided by educators to understand how to avoid making forbidden statements. Fine print at the bottom of the anti-homophobic sign states: "For more information contact Harriet Van Deursen, Vocational Equity Coordinator, Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction." The funding source is listed as the "Single Parent/Displaced Homemaker and Sex Equity provisions of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act.{Exhibit J}

Additional workshops, conferences or meetings on issues such as the "Sexual Diversity Workshop," sponsored by Seattle Public Schools, along with times, dates, meeting places and sponsoring organizations are listed in What Gay Agenda In Washington's Public Schools??? by Washington for Traditional Values. The information in this document was obtained from the Safe Schools Coalition. {Exhibit K}

4. The National Education Association (NEA), and its state affiliate, the Washington Education Association (WEA), also play an important role in the effort to convince public school children -- through public school personnel -- that their government endorses high-risk sexual behaviors as healthy alternate lifestyles.

In AFFORDING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO GAY AND LESBIAN STUDENTS THROUGH TEACHING AND COUNSELING: A Training Handbook For Educators (copyright 1993 by the National Education Association), the NEA recommends "Strategys for Teachers" such as: "Change language that assumes everyone is or should be heterosexual (use 'partner' rather than girl/boyfriend, 'permanent relationship' rather than marriage."), "Include issues for gay/lesbian students and staff in coverage in school newspapers,". . . "Identify gay/lesbian contributions throughout the curriculum (history, literature, art, religion, etc.)," . . . "Include gay/lesbian concerns in all prevention programs (suicide, dropout, pregnancy, etc.); and in training of peer leaders, student government, etc." {Exhibit L, page 16}

The last "strategy" is particularly relevant to peer education and prevention programs discussed in this briefing.

WHAT'S LEFT AFTER THE RIGHT and NO RIGHT TURN, written by Dr. Janet Jones for the Washington Education Association with funding from the National Education Association, were written to warn educators about parents who may object to the kinds of strategies listed above. Jones also authored Targets of the Right, a similar treatise, for THE AMERICAN SCHOOL BOARD JOURNAL, April, 1993. In light of the November 1994 elections, these publications were pathetically out of touch with the mood of the American people, including citizens of Washington state.

In a move reminiscent of the Washington Education Association, the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), and the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), have taken it upon themselves to conduct and publish a study on the CRITICS OF CHANGE which assumes that any parents or organizations which refuse to accept "education restructuring" or Outcome Based Education must necessarily be from the "Religious Far Right." It warns that "No one should underestimate the power and influence of these groups and individuals" (Washington for Traditional Values is proud to be listed in CRITICS OF CHANGE through our national affiliate, Traditional Values Coalition). {EXHIBIT L-1}

Aside from their comfort with the bigotry necessary to label citizens and ascribe ominous plans to them, WASA and AWSP display an awesome arrogance when they set forth in print to offer suggestions to school administrators on how to resist the very parents and school district patrons who pay their salaries.

1993 Test results from 91 Washington school districts show that districts which already had Outcome Based Education (OBE), or elements of OBE in use scored in the lower half of all school districts in the state. This might be considered a compelling reason for concerned citizens and parents--those dangerous CRITICS OF CHANGE--to oppose OBE. It simply does not make sense to duplicate failure. {EXHIBIT L-2}

5. The 1988 Omnibus AIDS bill created a mechanism whereby regional or county health departments renew "interagency agreements" with the State of Washington Department of Health in efforts to combat the AIDS epidemic. County and regional health departments agree to provide HIV testing, Partner notification (sexual and needle-sharing), Education (general public, health professionals and high risk populations), Intervention (high risk populations), Runaways outreach, Case management and Volunteer networks development. Annual and semiannual expenditure reports by region, local public health agency and subcontractors are required.

Empowered by Mike Lowry's E0 93-07 and the Omnibus AlDS bill, local health departments have been cooperating with public school districts and advocacy organizations to form "Peer Education" organizations which initiate education and prevention programs in local communities.

Teen pregnancy, low self-esteem, sexually transmitted diseases, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, suicide, gun violence, bigotry, racism, alcohol and drug abuse, poverty, runaways, family difficulties, peer relationships; a litany of perils threatening adolescent youth are being addressed through peer education programs across the state of Washington.

Peer education programs often take the form of off-campus get-togethers ("retreats") at which "trained" peer educators (selected students), make presentations to a gathering of students. From this group, candidates for additional peer educators are recruited and/or self-selected. These new peer educators then return to their individual schools where they plan projects and activities for their schools and/or communities.

While some peer education presentations also occur in school assemblies, and smaller more informal "teambuilding" gatherings are also a feature, the overall goal is for public school children to receive health and "decision-making" information from the people they are deemed most likely to listen to...their peers.

County or local peer education organizations typically identify themselves with acronyms such as TAPPP ("TeenAge Parenting Pregnancy and Prevention" in Grays Harbor County), APEX ("AIDS Peer Education Exchange" in Pierce County), CAPE ("Coalition for AIDS Peer Education" in King County), and REAL ("Reaching, Educating And Learning" in Clark County).

At a 1992 "APEX" presentation at Gig Harbor High School, student "experts" held a two hour assembly for the Senior class. According to Faces, a newsletter of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation, "Peer educators were allowed to use whatever means necessary to get their message across (including some quite graphic language along with condom demonstrations)." As with every peer education program WTV has investigated, care was taken to introduce APEX students to HIV infected persons who then participated in panel discussions.

In 1993 the TAPPP program in Grays Harbor County featured a weekend retreat for students from several school districts and included presentations by homosexuals who advocated their lifestyles as perfectly healthy and acceptable alternatives. Eyewitnesses saw students introduced to new concepts of sexual "abstinence" which propose oral sex, masturbation, mutual masturbation, and even anal intercourse (anything but the actual act of male-female sexual intercourse), as methods to "abstain" from sex. Materials made available at TAPPP retreats have included pamphlets and phone numbers of so-called gay/lesbian organizations and their "hotlines."

A similar 1994 off-campus HIV/AIDS "workshop" called ("Knowlege is Power"), for middle school students from districts in Cowlitz County attempted--until intervention by supporters of Washington for Traditional Values in the area--to forbid parents from attending. Longview School Board President Ken Botero stated that a planned dramatic presentation called "Secrets" was "like sending them to a live sex show." Pressure from outraged parents resulted in Kelso, Longview, Castle Rock and Toutle school districts' withdrawal of all support for the program.

In Clark County, a 1994 R.E.A.L. exhibition included a dramatic presentation for students in which a timid yet hopeful young girl was transformed by her exaggeratedly swishy "fairy godmother" into a princess. Delighted to find herself dancing with the Prince at his ball, but flustered by his request to come to his room, she ran to ask her friends what to do. They recommended that she take a condom and return to the Prince. Back at the dance floor, she discovered the Prince dancing with another girl and making a similar invitation. Disgusted, the princess threw her condom at him and stalked away. The Prince's new partner happily scooped up the condom. She had her Prince, her condom and her plans for the evening.

R.E.A.L. presenters stressed that all materials were written by teens and stated that their goal was to perform for 4000 people in various school districts and initiate 3000 local one-on-one student contacts.

Listed among the organizations which have given "support and enthusiasm" to R.E.A.L. is "Stonewall Youth." The name "Stonewall" is typically used by pro-homosexual organizations to commemorate the first homosexual riots and protests.

Fired Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, the self-proclaimed "Condom Queen," felt that drugs should be legalized, that a driver's education approach ("What to do in the back seat") should be used in sex education, that children should be given a positive presentation of masturbation, that homosexuality and lesbianism were "wonderful" and "healthy," and was a strong supporter of peer education.

In the midst of the AIDS epidemic, and with school districts crying out for more money for "basic education," spending tax dollars so that minor children can educate and "counsel" other people's minor children on topics such as human sexuality, HIV/AIDS, and suicide is inappropriate and places impressionable children at risk.

Responsible adults in health departments and school districs should be teaching students that experimentation with hazardous lifestyles is wrong, and that avoiding sex until marriage is not only healthy, but is much more likely to produce positive self-esteem. {Exhibit M}

A list of parents, advisors and students who have indicated willingness to testify can be provided.

6. Finally, with the climate we now have in agencies of government, including school districts, opportunities abound for student led and student initiated depravity -- such as the following example from Cascade High School in Everett, WA as reported in an article in the January 22nd, 1995 issue of the Citizen Action Alert - Vancouver WA. Consider:

At the request of Community members, Washington for Traditional Values (W.T.V.) State Executive Director Bob Larimer attended the Wednesday January 18, 1995 meeting of Everett City Council to support traditional family values and basic morality. He testified regarding media criticism and controversy surrounding an Everett City Councilman's public objection to pornographic articles in issues of a local High School student newspaper (Cascade Stehekin). Everett City Councilman Doug Campbell had been criticized in the Everett Herald for involving the council in "moral" issues and using city property (Fax machine and city letterhead to alert fellow council members). Larimer stated that since public education "restructuring" calls for involvement by all community members - including parents, business and elected officials - Councilman Campbell was acting appropriately in pointing out a serious lack of judgment involving student publications (Homo-erotic "art", profanity and an article featuring a 16 year old female student's boasting of having had sex with 25 partners). Reminding all council members of their oaths of office to uphold the laws of the land, Larimer pointed out that Councilman Campbell acted out a sense of duty and the courage of his convictions when he saw the law being broken (R.C.W. 28.405.030 mandating teaching the principles of morality and forbidding profanity).

Would that all elected officials acted so responsibly. Thanking Doug Campbell for "taking a stand for the Republic, The state of Washington, the community and the children," he presented the Councilman with a commemorative U.S. Constitution coin and display case, and declared, "We the People thank you!" Councilman Campbell was then given a round of applause by those in attendance and the previously chilly atmosphere in council chambers thawed noticeably. Larimer had previously testified at a January 9th meeting of the Everett School Board at the invitation of local parents and WTV supporters. The Board agreed to tighten its policy on student publications and sent a copy to WTV.

________________________________________

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization,
it expects what never was and never will be.
Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826 / Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey [January 6, 1816]


Copies of the comprehensive Appendix containing the documents listed as {Exhibits} above are available at WTV headquarters:

Washington for Traditional Values
PO Box 6189
Vancouver, WA 98668
(360) 693-2603 Office
(360) 693-2784 FAX

E-Mail: Bob Larimer


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