'Day of Silence' Sends Mixed Message to Kids, Says Pennsylvania Activist

by Jim Brown
April 28, 2004

(AgapePress) - The head of a Pennsylvania pro-family group is questioning the involvement of local public schools in a "Day of Silence" sponsored by a homosexual activist group.

The national Day of Silence, a project of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), was reportedly observed by more than 3,000 schools, colleges, and universities nationwide. This year's observance, which took place on April 21, included a statement of support from Senator John Kerry, the presumed Democratic candidate for president.

Several of Pennsylvania's public schools in Allegheny County allowed students to engage in the silent protest against the harassment of homosexuals. And one day before the event, Westinghouse High School became the first school in Pittsburgh to offer free HIV testing on campus.

Diane Gramley with the American Family Association of Pennsylvania says students in her state are being sent a mixed message about homosexuality. She contends that an activity such as the Day of Silence should not have been promoted or permitted during a taxpayer-funded school day.

"Through allowing the Day of Silence to take place, the schools are giving the kids the message that there's nothing wrong with the homosexual lifestyle -- and that is very dangerous," Gramley says. "The kids need to be told the truth about the real dangers, both physical and psychological, involved in the homosexual lifestyle."

Gramley says schools need to be informing students that homosexuals put themselves at a greater risk for HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases, psychological and eating disorders, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Instead, she says, school children are being told that sexual promiscuity is okay.

"Homosexual activists are distorting the truth," she says. "They're making it appear that heterosexuals are more likely to be infected with the AIDS virus, which is just not being truthful."

Gramley cites statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which show that 60 percent of new HIV cases in the United States are among homosexual men.