"GOP presidential candidate Alan Keyes - whose appearance March 13 at Byron Center High School was canceled - will appear instead that day at South Christian High School.

Keyes, noted for his strong views against gay marriage and his emphasis on the traditional family, will speak at the school's auditorium from 9:30 to 11:30 am.

According to a news release from Byron Center Public Schools, Keyes will address Byron Center High School students, students from South Christian and Byron Township residents.

Byron Center Superintendent Philip Swainston said he canceled the appearance at the high school because of recent controversy over gay teacher Gerry Crane and his wish to avoid similar district controversy. The cancellation followed a Byron Center Board of Education meeting Monday where a parent expressed concern that the public district was not offering students a balance of information."

* [NOTE: From Brad Bergman:

If people want to write to the school or attend the rally (or protest the rally outside the school...?) here's the address:

South Christian High School, 160 68th St. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548

Also, if anyone wants to write to Byron Center High School (the public school that's trying to fire Gerry Crane), here's their address:

Byron Center High School, 8638 Byron Center SW, Byron Center, MI 49509

Any letters in support of Gerry Crane which are sent to the school board should also be copied to Gerry himself. His lawyers are trying to get copies of all letters that the school has received (4,000 according to the school, which is charging them for each copy), but they fear that the school is destroying letters which support Gerry and tipping the scales to show favor for the school board's recent actions.

If people send letters to Byron Center High School regarding Gerry's situation, they should copy them to me at either this address (brad_bergman@studio.disney.com) or to my AOL account (BBergman01@aol.com) so that I can forward them to Gerry. Please indicate somewhere in the letter (preferably at the beginning) that it is a copy of a letter that was actually mailed to the school board, if that is the case. I will forward the letter on to Gerry for him to give to his lawyers. (I'm not sure of Gerry's sensitivities about having his private address posted all over the Internet, otherwise I'd post it. But I want to be sensitive to him and especially to his legal situation, so I'll continue to channel everything directly to him.)

A few letters have come in from former students of Byron Center High School and from other alumni of other schools (public and private) in the West Michigan area. Gerry's partner indicated that letters of this nature (from gay/les/bi former students of that geographic area) could greatly benefit their cause, as such letters give the school board solid proof that gay and lesbian students do actually exist, and in greater numbers than the board is willing to acknowledge.

Thanks for your support of Gerry and Randy (his partner). Randy admitted they've been stressing out lately, but that the letters I've been forwarding (and there have been quite a few) are wonderfully encouraging. Thanks again.]

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