Dear Editor:
Seeing as I seem not to have got my two cents worth on the matter in question (though not from lack of trying) I think that it is time for a little commentary from those not quite so enamoured with the whole matter as are the Burnaby Teachers' Association and, seemingly the staff and those who devise the editorial policy of this paper. I am referring, of course to the 5.45. policy.
Reporter Jennifer Moreau claims (rightly, I'm sure) that "Even with the high-profile coverage, (The Burnaby NOW ran a front page story on it on Feb. 26) some parents seemed surprised that the policy even existed."
Personally, I am surprised that she thought that every parent in Burnaby runs to read the NOW or its competitor on every matter, being as they have a busy life, usually with both parents working, while trying to keep their children on the straight and narrow, as it were.
Those opposed to the policy formed a group called Parents' Voice, whom Jennifer claims: "Had an underlying fear in their discourse that their children would somehow be co-opted by radical gay activists."
That would, of course, be Jennifer's perception of them. My personal perception is that there was a very well-founded fear of the whole "bullying situation" being used by a certain clique in society and the school board, to promote this particular lifestyle.
On the matter of the possibility of "sin" that so upsets trustee Ron Burton, I would think that he would be aware that this particular lifestyle is considered sinful in all the great religions of the world, and that in fact, all sex outside of marriage is considered wrong by, not just Catholics (Roman) but Orthodox Christians, most Protestants and Jews, be they reformed or orthodox, all Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and, well, you name it. Now sin is a part of humanity and there are few who may avoid it, but it is not unworthy of consideration by those who are free-love advocates who seem to inhabit, mostly the left of the political spectrum.
I have also found it somewhat confusing why this contingent in society thinks they get to decide what shall be the definition of such buzz words as "heterosexism" (not found in Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, at least as published in 1981.) And then there is "homophobia" which etymologically should come from either the Greek, meaning "fear of sameness" or from the Roman, "fear of man or men"! It is listed in the same edition previously noted as "irrational fear of homosexuality or homosexuals" and dated from 1969. There is no listing for "heterophobia," so it would seem that these are not fear inducing. Why the clamour? Oh, and just in parting, you noted that Christy Clark declined to become involved at the behest of Parents' Voice re: the school district's push for this legislation. It is a well known fact that she has a child attending a Catholic school at present and it is generally assumed that she will not be in place after the next election to give any assistance thereafter.
Larry Bennett, Burnaby
