Anoka-Hennepin School Board votes to replace gay-lesbian neutrality policy

STAR/TRIBUNE
Even as the Anoka-Hennepin school board voted Monday night to replace the controversial policy that required teachers to remain neutral on the topic of sexual orientation in the classroom, it was clear that divisions in the state's largest school district still run deep. The board voted 5-1 to replace the Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy with one that emphasizes "respectful exchanges of views" during classroom discussions of sexual orientation and other contentious issues.

The situation has drawn widespread attention as part of an emotional nationwide discussion of how gay teens are treated. Some blamed the so-called neutrality policy for creating an atmosphere that tolerated persistent bullying of students who are gay or perceived as gay.

Although the speakers remained civil, it was apparent that disagreement is as deep as ever; 13 people spoke in favor of getting rid of the Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy and 12 supported keeping it.

Those who favored the neutrality policy objected to opponents' characterization of their views. They said they worry that children who hold conservative Christian or moral beliefs will feel censored and shamed if they voice critical opinions. "How is a conservative student going to feel?" asked Tiffany Strabala, of Andover. "You saw what happened when we came out and voiced our concerns. We were considered closed-minded, bigoted, judgmental and hateful."

Others who opposed changing the policy reiterated their beliefs that homosexuality is a dangerous "lifestyle choice" and that sexuality education belongs in the home. They said scrapping the old policy would create an opening for "homosexual activists" to push an agenda in the classroom. "Even the [former policy] didn't stop self-righteous, progressive teachers from bringing homosexual propaganda into the classrooms," said Laurie Thompson, president of the Parents Action League, drawing gasps from some in the room.

On the other side, some who supported scrapping the neutrality policy praised the new one because it does not single out any one group. But many said they think it's overly cautious, expressing concerns that it could quash or distort open discourse on important issues.

"Will teachers be forced to give equal time and weight to both sides, not because the weight of evidence is equal, but because the Anoka-Hennepin community has deemed it contentious?" asked Dan Rebek of Coon Rapids.

Although district officials have said removing the policy was not connected to the lawsuit filed last summer on behalf of students who said complaints of persistent bullying based on sexual orientation were not adequately addressed, removal of the policy is key to the plaintiffs' demands.