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News Release
For Immediate Release: January 20, 2009
Contact: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355

Waynesboro Area School District Tries to Sneak in Gay Straight Alliance

(Harrisburg) -- According to the minutes of the Waynesboro Area School District it appears that any discussion of the proposed gay straight alliance happened one week ago. Area residents were kept in the dark since the local paper The Record Herald failed to include this little tidbit of news in articles covering the school board meetings. The only story to run concerning this was published in today’s paper. Additionally, January 13^th’s agenda only says under VIII “Discussion Items”, letter D. “Discuss New School Club” without any mention of the fact that it was a “Gay Straight Alliance” being discussed. The vote is scheduled for tonight. This evening the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA, a statewide pro-family group, faxed a letter to the school board members outlining some of the problems associated with the formation of a sex club like the proposed Gay Straight Alliance.

“The ultimate purpose of a Gay Straight Alliance is to create political activists for those seeking to say ‘gay is okay.’ The Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is the national organization working to get these clubs in schools. They encourage GSAs to participate in the national Day of Silence each April. This is when students remain silent the entire day to show support for homosexuality, handing out cards provided by GLSEN and many placing duct tape over their mouths. This is not a good use of a taxpayer funded school day, but it is one things taxpayers can expect if this club is approved,” noted Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

Other concerns include GLSEN’s suggested reading lists which include many books, which go into graphic detail, about homosexual relationships between older men and teenage boys. These books include Growing Up Gay/ Growing Up Lesbian, The Rainbow Boys, and The Challenges and Promise for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth. GLSEN also provides material for use in GSAs.

“One of school board members primary concerns should be the well-being of the students in the districts they represent. It would be much safer for the school board to approve a smoking club since male smokers shorten their lives by up to 7.2 years and men who have sex with men shorten their lives by up to 20 years,” Gramley continued.

The AFA of PA is asking the school board to do what is best for the students – not approve this club. The organizers say they want to promote acceptance and understanding between individuals with different sexual orientation. Does the school board realize there are 30 sexual orientations? Which ones will be excluded from discussion in this club?

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