By Doris Darvasi
BC Board member
REAL Women of Canada
Homosexuals, Murray Warren and his “married” partner, Peter Cook, who combined their two names to “Corren,” brought a complaint before the B.C. Human Rights Commission alleging that the Ministry of Education had failed to make the B.C. curriculum inclusive of positive and accurate portrayals of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students and same-sex families. Rather than have this case decided by a Human Rights Tribunal, the BC government signed a Settlement Agreement with the Correns in a secret, binding, legal contract on April 28, 2006.
The Corren Settlement Agreement gave these two private citizens and activists a special role in the development and review of the B.C. educational curriculum. Not only were Murray and Peter Corren given an extraordinary role, but so were any organizations and groups which they named as having ”... expertise in sexual orientation, homophobia and other issues of inclusion and diversity in the curriculum.” The Ministry promised to ”... solicit feedback directly from these organizations and groups regarding the IRP (Integrated Resource Package - that is, program of study). While the Ministry may consider comments from other organizations and groups, the Correns are the only ones who were legally guaranteed that the names they have put forward will be fully considered by the government for input.
Pro-family advocates were advised that the best approach to this agreement was to leave the Settlement Agreement unchallenged, and instead, pursue a course of having parents represented on the review committee. However, being on such a committee does not mean that parental views will be taken into consideration at all, as the aim of this settlement is to make the curriculum more gay friendly.
Out of the Corren Agreement have come two items that many are concerned about. One is the radical teachers’ guide Making Space, Giving Voice, which instructs teachers on how to make every subject, at every level from Kindergarten to Grade 12, gay friendly. The other item is a new course, called Social Justice 12.
Social Justice 12 Course
The Settlement Agreement with the Correns provides that they will be provided with a draft of the sexual orientation/gender identity portion for their review. The Complainants then may consult experts, on a confidential basis, to assist them in providing comments. That is, this consultation with the Correns is to take place before the draft course is ever released to the general public. (Settlement Agreement, Section 3A)
The definition of “homophobia” in the glossary states that those who dislike homosexuality, demonstrate “prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and/or acts of violence”. There is no room for a different opinion on homosexuality, even in regard to its health aspects.
Although this course is still elective, the nature of it is such that it lends itself readily to the introduction of propaganda and a very one-sided portrayal on a variety of controversial issues. For example, as there is an attempt to legalize Euthanasia/Physician Assisted Suicide in Canada, how long before our children are taught that it was “unjust” to deny people the right to die?
Teachers Delighted with Course
The B.C. Teachers Federation is delighted with the new course. In February 2009 the BCTF organized the first of four conferences in B.C., to teach teachers how to teach the Social Justice 12 course. The conference did not provide any opportunity for input from parents who want to resist manipulation of their children’s curriculum to make acceptance of homosexuality a goal.
The underlying purpose of the course was clearly revealed by a picture of a staircase, distributed by the BCTF in its information packages: the goal is to move students’ attitude towards LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning) people beyond tolerance to acceptance and then further along to support, admiration, appreciation and finally celebration.
Parents Uninformed About the Corren Agreement
Unfortunately, very, very few parents are aware of this insidious contract with the Correns. That is partially because the media has said very little about it and whatever has been said, is usually favourable to the Corren Agreement. As well, the government has downplayed the concerns voiced and has been trying to pacify parents by saying that there is nothing to worry about. The government said that none of the Correns’ recommendations can be implemented without the approval of the Ministry of Education. That means nothing, as the Correns will simply go back to the Human Rights Commission if they don’t get what they want. Also, with a few exceptions, churches have not been willing to allow information on the Corren Agreement and its ramifications into the church to inform their people. This might be because they don’t realize how seriously this affects traditional family values. Parents with children in private schools also assume they are safe and so don’t bother about it. They are not safe.
The Corren Agreement is directed at indoctrinating innocent children. It is madness, led by a government out of control, which is undermining parental rights.
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