Complaint demands 'pro-gay' studies for kids

In the wake of Canada's legalization of same-sex marriage, a human-rights complaint has been filed in British Columbia alleging the absence of pro-homosexual instruction in public schools is a denial of equal treatment.

The development underscores the concerns of same-sex marriage opponents in the United States who argue legalization would force schools to teach about homosexual behavior as a positive, alternative lifestyle for children.

Murray and Peter Corren, who were give a marriage license last July, concede the province-wide curriculum is not anti-homosexual, but complain its omissions have the effect of "enforcing the assumption that all people are or should be heterosexual."

"Basically, there is systemic discrimination through omission and suppression of queer issues in the whole of the curriculum," said Murray Corren in an interview with the Vancouver Sun.

Corren, an elementary school teacher in Coquitlam, B.C., said that with the legalization of same-sex marriage, the education ministry needs to update its approach to issues surrounding homosexuality.

"[The issues of same-sex marriage and gay rights] are going to come into the classrooms, whether people like it or not," Corren told the Sun. "It's a fact, it's a reality now in Canada."

Corren says the province's social studies curriculum refers to aboriginals, women and multiculturalism, but has no mention of what Corren defines as the "queer population," the Vancouver paper said.

He wants that changed to include: "Queer history and historical figures, the presences of positive queer role models -- past and present, the contributions made by queers to various epochs, societies and civilizations, and legal issues relating to [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered] people, same-sex marriage and adoption."

The province already has a course on aboriginals called B.C. First Nations Studies 12, which is "entirely devoted to a marginalized group of people in Canada," Corren points out.

He concludes, if "you're going to do it for aboriginal people, you have to do it for queer people."

"And if you don't," he added, "then you have to give a pretty good reason why you're not."

The human rights tribunal will begin hearing the Correns' case July 11. Proceedings are expected to continue for four weeks.

Derek Rogusky, vice-president of family policy at Focus on the Family Canada, said a curriculum "that treats homosexuality as just a normal thing that's really no different than heterosexuality, we will be trampling on the religious freedoms of thousands of British Columbia families."

He predicts more parents will take their children out of the public system and into private schools and homeschooling.

"Already," he said, "what the schools are teaching and what's going on in the schools are often in opposition to what parents are teaching at home and what they hold up as the ideal; and this will just further that."