School Tries to Clarify Anti-Bullying Presentation That Had Students 'Pretend They Were Lesbians

(Photo via Christian News Network)

Parents in Redhook, New York, are outraged over an anti-bullying presentation that taught middle school students not only about terms like “pansexual” and “genderqueer,” but according to one parent had two students "pretend they were lesbians on a date." In another role-playing situation, a female student had to ask another if she could kiss her.

The presentation, led by Bard College volunteers at Linden Avenue Middle School a few weeks ago (and without prior knowledge of the parents), had some like Mandy Coon upset. Here's Coon's account on the Christian News Network:

“She told me, ‘Mom, we all get teased and picked on enough; now I’m going to be called a lesbian because I had to ask another girl if I could kiss her,’” she lamented. “They also picked two girls to stand in front of the class and pretend they were lesbians on a date.”

Coon stated that she was especially irate over the matter because parents were given no warning about the presentations, nor an opportunity to opt out. She is also dismayed that college students were granted the right to come into the classroom and encourage her daughter to be sexually active.

“I am furious,” she declared. “I am her parent. Where does anyone get the right to tell her that it’s okay for her to have sex?”

The Poughkeepsie Journal reports superintendent of Red Hook Central School District Paul Finch saying workshops like these are required under New York's Dignity for All Students Act, which states that instruction in "civility, citizenship and character" would include "concepts of tolerance, respect for others and dignity." Topics for this would include race, nationality, religion, weight, sexual orientation and gender identity, among others.

Finch told the Journal such workshops “may require more notification to parents" in the future.

Coon told the Journal that aside from the content of the workshop for the eighth grade class, she finds it baffling that if such topics are required to be taught, "why are they bringing in other unlicensed, untrained professionals — college kids — to teach this?”

Finch said the student volunteers worked with the school's principal, Katie Zahedi, and other guidance counselors about the workshop's format. Zahedi explained on a Facebook forum, according to the Journal, that the role-playing mentioned by Coon was "not to pretend to be gay" but to practice saying "no."

“In planning the discussion, we made it clear that absolutely no discussion of any sexual acts is appropriate to middle school, and they used the examples of a kiss,” Zahedi wrote. “It was a separate activity for boys and girls and ultimately about respect and safety.”

Whats more, the Red Hook School District website posted important facts to clarify inaccurate reporting about the workshop:

• Contrary to a few media reports, female students were not forced to engage in any “lesbian kissing”.
• Contrary to a few media reports, male students were not told to carry condoms.
• Contrary to a few media reports, sexual activity among young adolescents was not condoned or promoted in any way.

The school district also posted an email it sent to Fox News regarding its report of the workshop. Here's an excerpt from the letter:

These sessions were designed by the building leadership in an effort to have eighth graders treat each other with respect and to develop in our young adolescents an appreciation for personal dignity. To suggest that we would condone or promote sexual activity among teenagers is absurd. It is equally absurd to suggest that an activity, designed to have young women feel more confident saying no to unwanted advances from boys, is in some way promoting a lesbian lifestyle. It is my understanding that the role playing activity is part of a program supported by conservatives such as Laura Bush.

The definitions given to students, while overly granular in my opinion, were put forth to make sure that students understand that all gender identities and/or sexual orientations are protected in law in New York State as part of an effort to curb harassment, discrimination, and bullying. It is our intent to adjust this document and be less granular in future lessons.