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Copyrighted material listed on this page is for educational purposes only according to Title 17, U.S.C. USA TODAY: FPN Fighting for Parents’ Rights in Five States

FPN Introduces Parental Rights Bill in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia

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GAY TEENS COMING OUT EARLIER TO PEERS AND FAMILY
By Marilyn Elias, USA Today
February 8, 2007

Gay teenagers are “coming out” earlier than ever, and many feel better about themselves than earlier generations of gays, youth leaders and researchers say. The change is happening in the wake of opinion polls that show growing acceptance of gays, more supportive adults and positive gay role models in popular media.

In the mid-1990s, a few dozen Gay-Straight Alliance clubs were in U.S. high schools; now 3,200 are registered with the education network, [Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network Founder Kevin] Jennings says.

Not everyone applauds the soaring number of school-based gay/straight alliances and adult-led programs for gay teens. “Homosexuality is harmful to society, and young people have no business committing to a sexual identity until they’re adults,” says Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council, a conservative policy group. The council backs a new Georgia law, first in the nation, that requires schools to tell parents about clubs and allows them to forbid their children to participate in gay/straight alliances.

Lobbying is underway to pass similar laws in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas, says Joe Glover of the Family Policy Network, a Christian family advocacy group. “Parents shouldn’t have to check their rights at the school room door,” he says.

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http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-02-07-gay-teens-cover_x.htm


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