by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Writer (March 6, 2008) The American Family Association (AFA) is warning parents to be aware that thousands of schools across the nation will be observing a “Day of Silence” on April 25 which will promote the homosexual lifestyle in public schools. Sponsored by a homosexual activist group, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the “Day of Silence” is a day when pro-homosexual students will remain silent as a way of supporting people who are harassed because of their sexual preferences. Keeping silent is supposed to show empathy toward those who are “silenced” by society because they identify themselves as a homosexual, bisexual, or cross-dresser is a victim of ongoing and relentless harassment and hate. However, the nationwide “Day of Silence” has long been known to be more about promoting the homosexual lifestyle than in heightening awareness of harassment. “While some incidents like this do occur, this event is an overwhelming exaggeration in an effort to manipulate our kids’ natural sympathies,” the AFA states in their “Day of Silence” FAQ. “Students are taught that homosexuality is a worthy lifestyle, homosexuality has few or no risks, and individuals are born homosexual and cannot change,” the AFA states. “The result ironically is that youth develop favorable views about a controversial, high risk behavior. At the same time, any disagreement, even when responsibly expressed, is viewed as hateful.” The main problem with the “Day of Silence” is that it does not include an honest discussion of the subject. Groups with an opposing viewpoint are usually unwelcome. One of those groups is the Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX), which attempts to distribute literature reminding youth that they have a right to know all the medical facts about the physical and emotional risks of homosexuality and other alternative life styles. Their brochures also inform youth that they have a right to self-determination in deciding whether or not they wish to seek treatment in spite of pro-gay attempts to dissuade them from thinking same-sex attraction is anything but normal. PFOX has had plenty of problems with schools who refuse to let them distribute their materials. In one case, attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund had to issue a formal letter to the President of the Montgomery County Board of Education in Maryland citing the infringement of PFOX constitutional rights when teachers told students to throw away their literature. The letter cited an instance in one school where a trash can sporting the name “PFOX” was placed in the main lobby for students to throw away their literature. “Actively encouraging students to throw PFOX materials in a trash can, while not interfering in any way with dissemination of materials by other non-profit organizations, violates PFOX’s First Amendment right to distribute materials in Montgomery County Schools,” the lawyers advised. However, all schools are different and parents are being urged to check with their school first to see if they will be sponsoring the “Day of Silence,” and how they plan to do so. School participation varies from allowing a few students who are usually members of a homosexual school club to remain silent all day, to sponsoring several days of outside speakers and school assemblies that promote the homosexual lifestyle. The AFA is warning parents that this year’s celebration of the “Day of Silence” may be even more widely promoted because of the recent tragic shooting death of a 15 year-old  junior high student from Oxnard, California. Lawrence King, a eighth grade student at E.O. Green Junior High School, had recently revealed that he was gay and began coming to school in make-up, high heels and nail polish. Often teased by other students, he was shot by a boy who he claimed to have a crush on. AFA calls GLSEN’s attempt to sensationalize this case “shameless exploitation” of a student who had been reportedly been in the care of a center for abused, neglected and severely emotionally disturbed children. “The adult guardians, school administrators and teachers responsible for guiding and protecting this precious troubled child failed him miserably,” the AFA states. “GLSEN fails him now by employing his violent death to manipulate and deceive millions of children.” For more information about what schools in your area are planning to sponsor a “Day of Silence,” visit the AFA website at www.afa.net © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly/Women of Grace. http://www.womenofgrace.com Educate yourself and your family about same-sex attraction. See “Same Sex Attraction: It’s Causes and It’s Effects” with leading experts Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons, Dale O’Leary and Mary Jo Anderson. Available in our bookstore at www.womenofgrace.com/catalog