To read the first part of this discussion click here:

For your information, the Alameda City Unified School District, located in the East Bay area, is sticking to its 3-2 vote to introduce gay lessons in Kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms. The battle culminates months of review, angry public hearings with outraged parents, presentations by psychologists and others who opposed the move, and a narrow victory for activists.

There is enormous interest in the debate over sexuality in our schools.

Many supporters of gay marriage join opponents of gay marriage in agreeing that sexuality has no place in the classrooms of our youngest students.   It has been the responsible tradition in education to protect young learners from any such interference in their early development.  This is why only the leanest discussion of sexuality has been allowed in our elementary schools, and never before 5th grade.  All of a sudden such guidelines, which respect the right of kids to be kids,  are out the window.  We do need to revisit how we discuss “maturation units” in this day and age.  We don't need to debate whether children sitting in circles on the carpet need to be taught the concept of transexuality, bisexuality or gay sexuality.

As Psychologist Dr. Trayce Hansen reported to the Alameda City School Board:

“Proposed Curriculum is unnecessary because anti-harrassment can be taught in ways which preclude the potential for harm.  The proposed curriculum will cause sexual confusion and may disrupt the sexual preference and gender identity development of some children.  And it's also completely unnecessary.  Anti-harrassment, teasing, and bullying curriculums can be taught without specifically identifying every circumstance in which such behaviors are unacceptable.  Children should be taught that ridiculing and harassing others for any reason is cruel and unkind and will be swiftly and appropriately punished.  Schools can teach a simple message of zero tolerance toward such behaviors without harming children whose sexual preferences and gender identities are still developing.”

Dr. Hansen writes  eloquently on this crucial subject which, understandably, attracts emotional debate.   His well-backgrounded thoughts are must-reads for parents, educators and anyone examining the serious questions raised in gay marriage.

To read more commentary by Sonja Eddings Brown go to truenorthnewsandcommentary.com