DEERFIELD, Ill., March 8 (UPI) -- Parents in Deerfield, Ill., are objecting to a high school program that features gay students speaking of their experiences to freshmen classes.
The parents say the Deerfield High School program, which includes panel sessions during a freshmen advisory class that allows gay students to speak about personal experiences and answer questions, promotes a gay agenda, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday.
The class is required but parents are allowed to remove their children from lessons they consider objectionable.
Lora Sue Hauser, a Deerfield parent who heads North Shore Student Advocacy, told the Tribune the complex sexuality issues addressed by the panel should be spoken about by parents and councilors rather than other students.
"The school makes heterosexuality and homosexuality equivalent and our country is deeply divided on that," Hauser said.
Suzan Hebson, assistant superintendent for human resources for Township High School District 113, defended the program.
"We have a great deal of pride in the program and don't feel we are overstepping any boundaries that (most) parents would feel are inappropriate," Hebson said to the Tribune.
