School Calendar Drops ‘History’ Months After ‘Gay’ Flap

A controversy stemming from the inclusion of “Gay and Lesbian History Month” in last year’s calendar has prompted the Philadelphia School District to release a 2007-08 schedule that omits any tributes to the history of any groups of people.

Cecilia Cummings, the school district’s senior vice president for communications and community relations, told Cybercast News Service that until six years ago, the calendar, which is mailed to 200,000 parents and district officials each August, contained only academic dates and a list of public holidays on which the schools would be closed.

When approaching the 2006-07 academic year, the district decided to expand the calendar format using the theme of “diversity,” she said. For that edition, months honoring the contributions of African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian-Pacific Americans were included, as well as the International Day of Disabled Persons.

Nevertheless, the designation of October as Gay and Lesbian History Month drew the most attention — and complaints, Cummings indicated. The backlash continued throughout the school year, as people criticized district officials at public meetings, Cummings said.

Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania, thanked the district for making what she called “an excellent choice” and “listening to the parents.” “The approximately 200,000 students that are a part of the Philadelphia School District will not be given the false message that homosexuals played a significant role in American or world history,” Gramley stated in a news release.

I don’t know if homosexuals have played a significant role in American and world history, but I do know that they play a significant role in today’s current events. It’s been said that there are many famous poets and philosophers and other historical figures that have been homosexual, but many were not “out” so I feel that those that support the idea are merely speculating. However, I do feel that today, many gays and lesbians are working to make the world a more tolerant place. Often times people are not appreciated during their own lifetime. Maybe 50 years from now LGBT individuals will be recognized for their contributions to the society of the late 20^th century and early 21^st century. After all, Black History Month, started out as one week in 1924, was not officially recognized until the mid 1970s, and today still receives a lot of criticism.