Anoka-Hennepin School Board holds contentious reading of revised "neutrality policy"
December 13, 2011
Last night's Anoka-Hennepin School Board meeting was the first time the public was able to react to the language replacing the district's controversial Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy. The so-called "neutrality" policy's most stalwart allies and vehement opponents were all on hand to speak their minds.
Even Janet Boynes, the ex-gay minister with ties to Michele Bachmann, made an appearance.
"Removing the present Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy . . . opens the door for promotion of the homosexual lifestyle in the classroom," she told board members.
The district's policy is the basis of a federal lawsuit filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center against Anoka-Hennepin, claiming that it creates a discriminatory environment for gay students. The key part of the policy reads: "Anoka-Hennepin staff, in the course of their professional duties, shall remain neutral on matters regarding sexual orientation including but not limited to student led discussions."
in full: http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2011/12/anoka-hennepin_school_board_holds_contentious_reading_of_revised_neutrality_policy.php
Some history on the story for those who may not be aware:
Primer: Deep roots of Anoka-Hennepin’s discrimination controversy
By Andy Birkey
Thursday, September 15, 2011
On Tuesday, the New York Times featured a front page article about the Anoka-Hennepin School District and its two-year long struggle to defend policies that limit discussion of LGBT issues in district schools. It’s an issue the Minnesota Independent has covered from the beginning. The following is a full account of the dispute.
In August of 2009, news broke that two teachers were accused of harassing a student they thought was gay, the district paid out a $25,000 settlement. The teachers have maintained their innocence throughout.
The news spurred a demonstration at the August 2009 school board meeting, where students, teachers and staffed raised concerns that this case of harassment was not an isolated incident. From that meeting the Gay Equity Team was born.
In September, the teachers were put on leave by the school district.
http://minnesotaindependent.com/87776/primer-deep-roots-in-anoka-hennepins-discrimination-controversy
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