THE BOARD'S GOOD SENSE

Ruth Sheehan's Jan. 8 column "Vote says 'gay' is still a slur" missed
the whole point of the vote by the Wake County school board to teach
abstinence until marriage. The board made a courageous decision to say
to all students that abstinence until marriage is the safest and
healthiest path to take. My son just graduated from the DARE anti-drug
program. The children were taught not to do it, period. They were
never told, "I know some of you will eventually use drugs, so we will
spend a few minutes discussing the importance of using clean needles."
No, it was a clear, concise message. Our children need to hear the
same message about abstinence: don't have sex until marriage, period.

I saw a video offered to Wake County students before this most recent
vote, entitled "Healthy Living." It was about coming out of the closet
if you are gay. It advised students not to tell their parents they are
gay if their parents would not understand. I don't know about Sheehan,
but as a mother I don't want any administrator telling my child to
hide something from me.

Yes, we need to teach students tolerance. They need to be tolerant of
different lifestyles, races, religions, etc. Wake County already has a
wonderful character education program to address these issues. Sex ed
is not the place to do so. It is the place to tell them the importance
of waiting until marriage to have sex, and the risks, both physically
and emotionally, associated with any other choice.

This vote in no way says "'gay' is still a slur." It says "we want our
children held to the highest, safest standard possible."

Beth Burrus

Raleigh