By ERICA ESTEP
6 News Education Reporter
MARYVILLE (WATE) - A Maryville mom and activist says amendments to a bill banning discussion of homosexuality in the classroom for grades K-8, doesn't make it any more attractive.
Two lawmakers, including Knoxville Republican Bill Dunn, have introduced amendments to the so called Don't Say Gay bill specifying that school nurses, teachers and counselors can answer questions from students about homosexuality.
Rebecca Lucas, president of the Maryville chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), says the bill is un-necessary and' even with the change, sends the wrong message.
"I don't know any teacher who wants to teach homosexuality," Lucas said. "I don't know a teacher who wants to teach sex."
Lucas is a Maryville College professor who teaches other educators. She's also an activist who speaks out for tolerance and equality, and a mother of three.
Lucas' son told her he was gay just two years ago at age 17. "I was really surprised that my son didn't feel like he could talk to me about it. He told me that he knew he was different by the time he was seven. He didn't know what it was called or why he was different."
She says she fears legislation like the so called Don't Say Gay Bill would confuse children even more.
"It sends a message. We tell them that if you are gay or lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you are less than those of us who are not. So we are not even going to recognize that you might exist in history or in the world," explained Lucas. "So we send that message to kids without meaning to send it, but that's the message that they get."
Lucas added that overhaul or not, this is one bill she hopes does not pass.
"It seems so unnecessary. Our teachers in Tennessee are professionals and they are going to teach our state standards. The state board of education has said these are the standards that you must cover with your students in every content area and they don't have time to pull in other topics of interest."
Sen. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) introduced the original bill. He said then, and maintains his belief, that parents should decide if discussions about homosexuality are appropriate for their elementary and middle school age children.
The amended language still limits sex education for students in eighth grade or younger to "natural human reproduction science." Campfield's version passed the Senate last year. The House bill has been put off for consideration until next week.
"I don't know any teacher who wants to teach homosexuality," Rebecca Lucas said. "I don't know a teacher who wants to teach sex."
