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Forwarded message:
From: birchall@empire.net (Steve Birchall)
Date: 97-08-22 12:26:49 EDT

Provincetown goes after bias in curriculum

Associated Press, 08/22/97 09:30

PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (AP) - A proposed anti-bias curriculum in the Provincetown schools has sparked national controversy from critics who say it promotes homosexuality.

But school officials say the curriculum is merely an attempt to stamp out prejudice.

``We've decided we're going to take the rainbow perspective,'' Provincetown School Superintendent Susan N. Fleming told the Boston Herald. ``We're going to look at color, we're going to look at race, we're going to look at gender and sexual orientation is one of those things.''

The school committee voted to review the curriculum from kindergarten through grade 12 to eliminate bias, and to encourage teachers to be open to all lifestyles in classroom discussions.

Provincetown has a large gay community, and signs of affection between same-sex couples are a common sight.

Town Manager Keith Bergman was among those who pushed for the changes. He said the change was needed because Provincetown is more diverse than most towns in Massachusetts.

``Not all of our students are white, not all of our students are straight,'' said Bergman, who is married and has two daughters in the public schools. ``In this community it's not going to come as a revelation that we have gay and lesbian parents.''

Bergman said there have been many inquiries from the media since an article appeared in the Washington Times.

``Unfortunately the media has zeroed in on issues dealing with sexual orientation, when the anti-bias program is about equipping the community with tools to fight racism, sexism, classism, bias against people with disabilities and homophobia,'' he told The Boston Globe.

The school committee will hold a public hearing Wednesday so residents can discuss the proposed changes.