In his own words
Email alert from Dick Black about Stone Bridge High School Drama Club presentation of the play "Offsides"
From: "Delegate Black"
Subject: Action Alert
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2005 15:33:44 -0500
The Issue:
Stone Bridge High School sponsored a play called Postcards from Paradise. During this play there is a scene where two male students kiss and then tell the audience that, You cant tell me that there isnt a little bit of me in every one of you.
What Can I Do?
Tell the Loudoun County School Board that as a taxpayer, you believe it is inappropriate to promote homosexuality in our public schools. Contact the School Board members immediately. The next School Board meeting is on Tuesday, February 8th. Forward this e-mail to other taxpayers in Loudoun County who don't believe schools funded by taxpayer money is the place to promote sexual lifestyles.
How Do I Contact Them?
Loudoun County School Board Members
102 North Street NW
Leesburg, VA 20176
schools@loudoun.k12.va.us
Chairman Andrews phone number: 703-729-7700
Speak at the School Board Meeting:
The public is always welcome to speak directly to the School Board members. Their next meeting is:
This Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 6:30pm
at the Administrative Building
102 North St., NW
Leesburg, VA 20176
What Can I Say?
A sample letter is attached below. Feel free to write your own or you are welcome to use the one below.
Dear School Board Member,
I recently learned that Stone Bridge High School sponsored a play over the weekend called Postcards from Paradise. In the January school newsletter this play was billed as, a show you wont want to miss. Needless to say, I was upset to find out that the show our children were not supposed to miss was one where two male students engaged in a homosexual kiss onstage and then addressed the audience saying, You cant tell me that there isnt a little bit of me in every one of you.
The idea that our public school system is being used to promote a homosexual lifestyle is disturbing. When Christs name is banned in schools, and bricks with crosses on them are removed from Potomac Falls High School until a lawsuit forces them to be put back, it makes me feel that a double standard is being placed against people of faith.
We are continuously lectured on the idea that we need to keep God out of the classroom. Am I now to believe that the reason we need to keep God out is so that homosexual teachings can have free reign?
I want to know how this play and its contents came to be approved by the faculty at Stone Bridge High School. I want to know if you, as a School Board member were aware of this play, and if so, do you approve of it being supported by the public school system? Finally, I want to know what you are going to do to make sure this kind of thing does not happen again.
School is somewhere we expect our children to be safe, and that safety also includes making sure that the impressionable minds of students are not being encouraged to explorehomosexuality under the guise of tolerance.
Sincerely,
Name: ______________________________
Address: ______________________________
______________________________
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Reply to a student letter from Dick Black's aide
From: "Delegate Black"
To: XXX
Subject: Re: action alert
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2005 23:59:21 -0500
Dear XXX:
Thank you for your message regarding the controversial play. The kissing scene was simply done for shock value. They wanted attention and they got it. It brought attention to the content of the play and this has upset many parents. Many parents were upset because this was done with small children in the audience. Perhaps one day you will have children and you will understand how protective you might feel when your children are subjected to things that you disapprove of.
The idea of tolerance is an interesting one because it isn't a one way street. Some of the very people who wrap themselves in the "tolerance" flag are the first to resort to name calling. What about being tolerant of those people who disagree with the homosexual lifestyle? Since the school has allowed one group to express views favoring homosexuality, will they have to give equal access to those who want to express views opposing the homosexual lifestyle? Delegate Black believes that publicly funded schools are simply not the place to debate this issue.
Delegate Black is in Richmond for the 2005 Legislative Session. His only real involvement in this whole situation was that he agreed to pass on an alert to some people he knows via e-mail. He didn't write the letter, take credit for the letter/alert, but he does not apologize for forwarding it. Groups such as Equality Loudoun (a homosexual advocacy group) have attributed the letter to Delegate Black because they got a copy of the e-mail. He did not contact the press - they contacted him for comments.
The information that Delegate Black was relying on came from several parents who saw the play and were upset because of the content and because there were small children present in the audience at the time. In addition, School Board member Bob Ohneiser (Broad Run) attended the play himself and told Leesburg Today that "the kiss was clearly visible but was only a peck." On this information, he agreed to forward the letter to people he knew.
Although we may have to agree to disagree on whether or not this is appropriate in our public schools, I appreciate you taking the time to contact our office. We may not see eye to eye on this issue, but I promise that we will always treat you with respect and be honest with our position on this issue.
Warm regards,
Callie Chaplow
Aide
- extreme. ineffective. dick black.