Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 28, 1995 TAG: 9509280034
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A letter to the editor in Sunday's Roanoke Times triggered a flurry of phone calls to schools from parents who were concerned that such an event might be planned, but school officials said Wednesday that nothing on gay and lesbian history is scheduled.
The letter by Frances Spencer of Roanoke said the National Education Association, a national teachers' union, had passed a resolution calling on teachers in every school district to observe October as gay and lesbian history month.
Spencer said schools are already preparing for the celebration with displays, films and guest speakers.
She said she didn't know what local schools were planning, but she urged parents to oppose the event and "protect" their children.
Rob Jones of Richmond, president of the Virginia Education Association, said the letter appears to be part of a campaign to misrepresent and malign the NEA. The VEA is an affiliate of the NEA.
Jones said the NEA never asked teachers to observe a gay and lesbian history month in the schools or to schedule related activities. The teachers' union has never told the schools what to teach or celebrate, he said.
Jones said the NEA endorsed a gay and lesbian history month in its role as a professional organization, just as it might support the designation of months for the celebration of other groups or events. But he said the NEA was not advocating or promoting an observation or celebration within the schools.
The NEA's resolution did not specify a month for a gay and lesbian history observance, and Jones said he didn't know why some people said it was October.
Spencer said her information came from an article that was distributed by the Concerned Women for America, a national conservative women's political organization, and articles in religious magazines.
"I wanted to voice my concern and let people know what was happening. I don't agree with this," she said.
Spencer said articles about the NEA's resolution are being circulated at some churches in the Roanoke Valley.
Jones claimed that the "radical right" is deliberately misinterpreting the resolution and creating a false issue. "It is gross misrepresentation and part of a web of attack and lies."
The VEA delegation at the NEA's national convention in Minneapolis in July opposed the gay and lesbian history month resolution and will try to get it rescinded next year, Jones said.
While the resolution does not promote the gay and lesbian lifestyle or advocate a celebration of it in schools, Jones said, he believes it can be misunderstood.
Jones said that none of VEA's local affiliates has plans for a celebration of gay and lesbian history.
Doris Boitnott, executive director of the Roanoke County Education Association, said some NEA opponents are apparently trying to "smear" the teachers for political purposes.
"It was never an issue here. It has gotten blown out of proportions," Boitnott said. "The VEA and the local affiliates never supported the resolution, and it is not going to happen here."
James Gallion, assistant superintendent in Roanoke County, said county schools do not plan any special activities on gays and lesbians: "Our business is to educate - not to get into promotions."
After receiving calls from parents, Gallion said, school officials talked with the county teachers' organization, and "they said this was never part of their agenda."
Salem Superintendent Wayne Tripp said he had received three calls from parents concerned about the issue.
After he explained there would be no such observance in Salem, the parents seemed to be satisfied, he said.
"We don't anticipate anything like that in our schools," Tripp said.
In Roanoke, some parents also called school officials, but they were told that nothing was scheduled.
Staff writer S.D. Harrington contributed to this story.
by CNB