Constitutional Law

Christian group to sponsor 'Day of Dialogue' about homosexuality

By By The Associated Press

DENVER ? A conservative Christian group has announced that it will sponsor a school-outreach program to talk about sexual orientation.

Focus on the Family of Colorado Springs says it will take over sponsorship of the former "Day of Truth," which has been co-sponsored since 2005 by Exodus International, a Christian group in Orlando, Fla. It has renamed the April observance "Day of Dialogue" and is promoting it as a day to talk about homosexuality in schools, not to decry gays.

Exodus International announced last month it would drop sponsorship because it was "always perceived in an adversarial manner," according to an Exodus International statement.

The "Day of Dialogue" is a counter to the "Day of Silence," a gay-rights promotion asking students to remain silent for a day in protest of anti-gay bullying.

Focus spokesman Gary Schneeberger said the sponsorship wouldn't cost much because there weren't plans to advertise the day. Instead, Focus will give advice on how to adopt the program to interested teens.

"There's really a minimal cost," Schneeberger said. "The event itself is student-driven. We're there as a provider of information and resources and maybe some guidance about how to engage in that dialogue."

The new name indicated a new emphasis on not bullying gay students.

On a website to promote the Day of Dialogue, Focus tells readers that "any form of bullying and harassment of others is always wrong, including making fun of others, speaking down to them and saying things that hurt people."

"Christian students in particular should be bold in speaking up to oppose that kind of behavior because it goes completely against the model Christ gave us," according to the website.

The Alliance Defense Fund, a group of Christian attorneys, remains the other co-sponsor.

Full post as published by First Amendment Center on November 12, 2010 (boomark / email).