An assemblage of local and national organizations will demonstrate at the Capitol Saturday in response to continued support of gay students and teachers by the Madison Board of Education.
Two measures under fire by demonstrators include a decision made by the school board three years ago to extend employee spousal benefits to domestic partners, regardless of marital status, as well as the recent hiring of a specialist whose job it will be to better acclimate the school district to the presence of gay students.
“We created a position that works with both students and teachers on issues of sexuality,” said Madison School District spokesman Joe Quick. “For teachers, it is how to be sensitive to student needs. For students, it means help if they’ve been harassed for their sexual orientation, or if they just need someone to talk to.”
Rev. Richard Pritcherd, advisor of the Citizen’s Council for Our Community, a sponsor of the demonstration, said he is concerned that the most recent action by the school board is part of an increasing trend towards a more liberal attitude in regard to the acceptance of homosexuality.
“It carries a message that traditional family doesn’t matter,” Pritcherd said. “It also goes against the principles of democracy to implement the spousal benefits without the input of the taxpayer.”
Pritcherd recently participated in a lawsuit against the school district, in which he charged the district with improper use of taxpayer money to pay for the extended benefits.
Pritcherd is the main organizer for Saturday’s demonstration, which will feature two guest speakers who oppose the school board’s decisions.
One of these opponents is Peter Sprigg, senior director of cultural studies at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C.
“We oppose gay rights expansion across the board — specifically, providing domestic partner benefits for homosexuals,” Sprigg said.
Sprigg said the real agenda of the school board’s actions and those who supported them is the expansion of alternative lifestyle acceptance.
“The programs schools are proposing usually emphasize a safe environment for students struggling with their sexual identity,” Sprigg said. “This is just a facade for their real intention: to promote legal and moral acceptance of the practice of homosexuals.”
Also speaking Saturday will be Michael Levenhagen, director of the Reclamation Resource Center in Menasha. Levenhagen’s organization offers counseling to those who say they lead gay lifestyles against their will.
Levenhagen believes that homosexuals have the ability to reverse their sexuality “through reflection and developing a relationship with Christ.”
“Someone who thinks they are gay can find real and lasting change from such homosexual attractions,” Levenhagen said. “We provide growth groups and support groups for individuals seeking change. We want to help those who do not want to be identified or controlled by their homosexual desires.”
At the same time Levenhagen asserted his belief that people of any sexual orientation should be treated with dignity.
“It is also our goal to educate and motivate others, especially the church, to treat others with dignity and respect regardless of how they choose to deal with their homosexual attractions,” Levenhagen said.
Levenhagen added that he was at one point “involved with homosexuality” and is able to identify with the distress of adolescents confused about their sexuality.
The demonstration will take place 10 a.m. at the intersection of King Street and the Capitol Square, coinciding with the farmer’s market. A luncheon will take place at the conclusion of the demonstration at a location undisclosed for security reasons.
Pritcherd said he intends for the day’s events to include rational discussion and not violent backlash.
“I feel that Christ would want people to participate in a dialogue and bring their ideas, rather than just bring a sledgehammer,” he said.