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Changes for the 8th grade curriculum "include definitions of sexual identity and sexual orientation," the advisory committee's report states. "Homosexuality is not a mental disorder," but rather, "a natural response," and "having some homosexual feelings does not necessarily mean that one is homosexual," the report declares.

Having homosexual parents or guardians also does not predispose a person to being homosexual, according to the advisory panel.

Grade 10 changes include a description of "the kinds of families that exist in our community," including the "same sex parents family," the report explains.

Fisher took issue with a video entitled "Protect Yourself," slated to be part of the sex education program for 10th graders. The video includes a demonstration in which a condom is placed on a cucumber.

The video, according to Fisher, implies "if you're not sexually active, you're not cool," and downplays the risks associated with sexual activity.

"We have concerns [about] the age group that they're targeting," Fisher said. "We also think that this is the domain that belongs to the parents and the family ... not in the public school."

The Archdiocese of Washington has also reportedly gotten involved, encouraging Catholic parishes to petition the school board to reject the new curriculum. Michael Caruso, the archdiocese's assistant superintendent for secondary schools, explained in a February 24 Washington Times report that "the curriculum is obviously not reflective of our values."

But in an op-ed in the Washington Examiner on February 14, David Fishback defended the new curriculum and suggested that other points of view about homosexuality - for example, that it is a choice -- do not belong in the curriculum. "Such theological debates have no place in the public school health curriculum," Fishback wrote.

He also defended the condom demonstration video, saying it was prepared "at the request of the board of health [education] teachers who concluded that lack of information on correct condom use was leading to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

"The proposed revisions simply present the conclusions of every mainstream American medical and mental health professional association, that homosexuality is not an illness ..." Fishback continued. He denied claims that homosexual activist groups were behind the "Protect Yourself" video.

Brian Edwards, director of communications for Montgomery County public schools, also denied that the revised curriculum contained any pro-homosexual agenda.

"Pro-homosexual agenda?" Edwards asked. "I don't think so. It introduces the term homosexuality, defines homosexuality, discusses that fact that it exists in the world," he told Cybercast News Service when contacted Wednesday.

Edwards said the curriculum merely describes homosexuality as a "type of family unit that exists in our community." He added that the sex education program was not only optional, but that written parental permission was necessary before students could participate.

However, for students who opt out, they have "three weeks of unstructured time," Fisher said. "We should develop a course where we don't have to worry about opting out or opting in. That kind of smacks of separate but equal school systems."

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