And they used the issue of “cyber-bullying” to revamp current policy, signaling that this strategy may be used in other states.

On March 10, as President Obama held a White House conference about the problems of student bullying, a bill was being finalized in the West Virginia legislature on cyberbullying. But unbeknownst to the parents in that state and even of most of the legislators, last minute amendments to H.B.3225 paved the way for a pro-homosexual re-write of the state’s anti-bullying regulations.

Audio coverage of committee and floor actions show coordinated amendments and a pattern of collusion to create the opportunity to designate categories for bullying incidents, including “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” These were not specifically amended into H.B. 3225, yet state education officials interpreted the amended bill to give them the latitude to do so themselves.

WV Senate HB3225 3-8-2011  WV Senate HB3225 3-9-2011  WV Senate HB3225 3-10-11

The West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Healthy Schools didn’t stop with adding the cyber-bullying provisions, but made sweeping revisions and introduced a revamped “Expected Behavior in Safe and Supportive Schools”, Policy 4373, including “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” without specific legislative authority and knowing this would be very controversial. The Department did seek input, not from conservative groups, but from the ACLU and Fairness West Virginia, a homosexual activist group that had, not coincidentally, announced in August a campaign to insert special rights for homosexual and gender compromised students into bullying regulations. Apparently, they were already working with the state education department to accomplish this goal.

State legislators passed an anti-bullying bill in 2001, H.B. 3023, that did not include these “enumerated categories” so desired by the homosexual lobby.  During that time, Kevin McCoy, president of West Virginia Family Foundation, pre-empted an earlier attempt by homosexual activist legislators for such provisions in H.B. 3023, preserving a generally –worded bill protecting all students.

The pertinent section of the new conduct code, approved on December 14, 2011 by a 9-0 vote of the West Virginia State Board of Education, reads:

“Acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying that are reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, or by association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics, shall be reported using the following list: race; color; religion; ancestry; national origin; gender; socioeconomic status; academic status; gender identity or expression; physical appearance; sexual orientation; mental/physical/developmental/ sensory disability; or other characteristic.” [Emphasis added]

It is likely that many parents and voters in West Virginia would have preferred less “gay” activist input into this behind-the-scenes process. The new policy reads like a “hate crimes” reporting law, not an anti-bullying measure. The directive for a “reporting requirement” in the new cyber-bullying law apparently triggered this regulatory overreach by state education officials.

According to Article XII of the West Virginia state constitution, the state board of education “shall perform such duties as may be prescribed by law.” And there is no law in West Virginia legalizing “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” as protected classes for adults or for schoolchildren.  Senate Bill 226 in early 2011 failed to pass, and the West Virginia House has also steadfastly refused to pass any such law. In fact, any so-called “non-discrimination” bill for homosexuals has failed numerous times to pass the WV legislature going back as far as 1993.

And specifically relating to school bullying policy established by H.B. 3023, which did not establish “class categories” in the former policy 4373, Student Code of Conduct, a letter dated January 23, 2002 from then- superintendent of schools, Dr. David Stewart, to Lew Tyree, Chair of the Human Rights Commission, in response to a request for clarification by Tyree, said this:

“Because of the broad definition of ‘bullying, harassment, or intimidation’ ….in West Virginia Code §18-2C-2, the motive behind the act is irrelevant and the policy would be applicable if a student is being bullied, harassed or intimidated because the student is gay, or perceived to be gay, and subsequently reports the conduct to which he or she is being subjected. The definition, as well as the proposed policy as a whole, focuses on the effect(s) of the action rather than the motive(s) for the action.” [Emphasis added]

Kevin McCoy was tracking the cyber-bullying bill passed in March and the hasty, under-the-table amendment process. Several legislators even after he alerted them, insisted there was nothing to worry about with this bill. Then he discovered the West Virginia Department of Education was moving ahead with a sweeping re-vamp of its Student Code of Conduct, surely thinking, ”Here they go again.”

McCoy has been monitoring the activities of leftists in the West Virginia government for years, especially regarding their tendency to experiment on schoolchildren. In 2002 , he blew the whistle on a middle/high school program called the Civil Rights Team Project, where students as young as 11 were trained to report “bias and hate speech” by peers, including remarks about homosexuality. The project was supported by materials from radical groups encouraging homosexual behavior. After a public outcry, the school mini-hate crime program ended.

Are “cyber-bullying” bills to be the latest ploy of homosexual activists trying to sneak pro-homosexual indoctrination into schools? Such bills are in play in many states, including Ohio, where a broad anti-bullying bill passed in 2006. Activists there have been trying ever since to amend it to include “sexual orientation” and ”gender identity,” even trying unsuccessfully to insert this language, rejected by the General Assembly, at the state school board level.

In Michigan, a general anti-bullying bill was held up for several years by the demands of homosexual activists, who insisted that “LGBT” students  would go unprotected without including the “enumerated categories” of sexual orientation and gender identity (untrue).  A general bill equally prohibiting bullying of all students “…without regard to its subject matter or motivating animus” was finally passed in November 2011, minus the special rights’ categories demanded by “gay” activists.

Why are these special categories so important to the homosexual lobby? These categories provide a turnkey for pro-homosexual propaganda programs in schools under the guise of “anti-bullying” training, and such lessons legitimize homosexuality and gender confusion as “rights” against which no voice should be raised. Meanwhile, objections to homosexual behavior are all uniformly cast as “hate” or “harassment” that may even cause student suicide.

This tightly-controlled political correctness is discriminatory toward families of faith. In addition, these deceptive messages are not backed by valid research but invalid online surveys from groups like GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Sadly, appropriate warnings are withheld from students who instead learn hazardous, inaccurate information positioning homosexuality as a risk-free and unchangeable identity.

At the roots of this West Virginia debacle is an activist attorney general and staff with a highly questionable track record going back to the Clinton administration. Under Clinton, the Department of Justice along with the federal Department of Education produced a publication called “Protecting Students from Harassment and Hate Crimes.” This outrageous and unauthorized overreach quoted radical ”gay” activist groups like GLSEN and PFLAG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. When the Bush administration reviewed the document, it was appropriately shelved.

One of the contributors to this guide was Paul Sheridan, West Virginia’s Deputy Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. Sheridan was also the architect of the discriminatory “Civil Rights Team Project” in West Virginia schools. Sheridan gave a presentation on November 19, 2011 at a Fairness West Virginia conference along with many other “gay” activists. West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw, under whose leadership the “Civil Rights Team Project” was given a green light, is married to the new state superintendent of schools Jorea Marple, under whose direction the questionable new Student Code of Conduct was produced.

It seems key posts in West Virginia government are filled with closely-networked activists pushing homosexuality.

The new policy is unneeded to prevent bullying but if it stands, it will greatly further the homosexual agenda directed at youth in West Virginia.

Linda Harvey is an author, speaker and radio personality. She is president of Mission America and hosts a radio show on WRFD in Columbus, OH, a Salem Network affiliate.

Urge your state legislators to support your right as a parent to send your children and grandchildren to schools free from homosexual indoctrination!

Last year during the 2011 1st Session of 80th WV Legislature, a legislative bill passed late in the session requiring bulling reporting requirements, then the Department of Education took liberties by using it as a launching pad for homosexual activism.

New state superintendent of schools, Jorea Marple, wife of WV Attorney General Darold McGraw, made sweeping revisions and introduced a revamped “Expected Behavior in Safe and Supportive Schools”  Policy 4373, which included “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” without specific legislative authority to do so.

The revamped “Expected Behavior in Safe and Supportive Schools”, Policy 4373 is a “hate crimes” reporting policy  designed to identify “motive” and politicize public schools to promote the homosexual agenda, rather than curb school bullying.

Please visit our website detailing the history of homosexual activism in the state’s public education system here

 The West Virginia Family Foundation has worked with legislator’s in this session to introduce S.B.-558 .

This legislation serves the following purposes:

• Removes the two amendments offered by Senator D. Richard Browning (D – Wyoming) and Senator Robert   H. Plymale (D – Wayne)
• Ensures accountability from both Senator Plymale and Senator Browning on the intent of their amendments as it relates to the actions by Jorea Marple adding  ”sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the new bully  and if their amendments were to be interpreted as such.

• Returns (H.B. 3225)  to its original stated intent to prohibit internet bullying and protects ALL students from bullying for any reason, without identifying “class categories,” the Trojan horse needed by homosexual activist to promote their lifestyle in public schools where your children attend.

Take Action Now!

SB-558 must pass out of Senate Education and Senate Judiciary Committee by February 26, 2012 to ensure three full days for readings.

• Click here  to call or email Senate Education Chairman Robert C. Plymale (D-Wayne), Senate Judiciary Chairman Corey Palumbo (D – Kanawha) Senate Majority Whip, D. Richard Browning, Senate Majority LeaderJohn R. Unger  (D – Berkeley) and House Education Chair Mary M. Poling (D – Barbour).  Tell these legislators you expect  the same procedures and  tactics used to advance H.B. 3225 on the last night of the session, also be used to pass SB-558. Ask these senators if Jorea Marple was wrong to use their amendments to promote the homosexual agenda in public schools and if so, what they plan to do about it.

• Click here to call or email your senators and delegates expressing your strong support  for SB-558 and request they support this bill in the House of Delegates, as well.

• Click here to call or email State Superintendent of Schools Jorea Marple and demand answers from her as to why she and her department shamelessly worked with homosexual advocacy group Fairness of West Virginia  and the ACLU to force homosexuality on your children. Tell Jorea Marple you expect immediate removal of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” (cross dressing) from the new bully policy which exposes your children and grandchildren to homosexual behavior under the guise of bully prevention!

• Click here  to call or write to Attorney General Darold McGraw and request he take immediate action to stop his employees from using the Office of Attorney General to collaborate with homosexual advocacy organizations to promote the acceptance of homosexuality in our state.The West Virginia Family Foundation advocates and defends policies to advance religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and traditional family values.

February 16, 2012

CONTACT:  Kevin McCoy
Phone:  304-721-4636
E-mail:  info@wvfamily.org

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A civil unions amendment has been introduced by Del. John Doyle (D-Jefferson) would afford homosexuals the same recognition and benefits reserved exclusively for heterosexual married couples. H.B. 4569 “Creating a state recognized status for civil unions“ was introduced by Delegate Doyle this afternoon.

West Virginia Family Foundation President Kevin McCoy commented shortly after the bills introduction.

“The comprehensive Marriage Protection Amendment offered by our organization in 2006 has remained hostage in House Constitution Revision by leadership for seven years now (HJR-106), while legislators continue to remain indifferent to the threat posed on several fronts by homosexual activists and their allies in the WV Legislature” McCoy said.

McCoy stated the amendment introduced by Del. John Doyle is not the only amendment his organization has been watching which would have the same effect to redefine marriage as only between “one man and one woman”,  allowing civil unions and domestic partner benefits.

McCoy continued “Another amendment equally as dangerous to undermine traditional marriage was introduced on February 22, 2010 in the West Virginia Senate, SJR-14. The language contained in this amendment  is but one sentence and would allow for the same type of homosexual counterfeit relationships, protecting marriage in name only”.

“The time for WV legislators to act is now before homosexual marriage is foisted upon us all” McCoy concluded.

To learn more about the Marriage Protection Amendment, visit ProtectWVMarriage.com.

The West Virginia Family Foundation is a conservative pro-family public policy and education organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom and the sanctity of life.

www.WVFamily.org

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Union bosses, walking lockstep in harmony with President Barak Obama, have announced their support to promote the acceptance of homosexuality in West Virginia and in so doing, demonstrate they are more confused than the people who are enslaved  by this immoral lifestyle choice and sin.

It is difficult for most West Virginians to imagine those they elected to govern and represent their interest become so naive and gullible to believe their constituents will be persuaded to accept homosexual sodomy and just bow down and do their bidding based upon political party or union affiliation.  It also demonstrates how out of touch these people really are with the values a majority of West Virginians hold dear.

While no individual should be denied shelter or employment, likewise, no landlord or employer should be forced by the state to violate ones conscience or religious convictions concerning the chosen behavior of homosexuality and cross dressing.  People still have a right to the freedom of association guaranteed under the United States Bill of Rights.

For nearly two decades, West Virginia Family Foundation has witnessed the same tactic at the WV Legislature by those attempting to use letters and public endorsements from groups and organizations at the last minute in an attempt to put wind in the sails of homosexual legislation pending in the respective committees. The end result has always been the same with these bills being defeated time and time again.

Frustrated with their unsuccessful efforts to enact the homosexual agenda via state statute since 1993, in-house bureaucrats working in tandem at multiple levels in state government, couldn’t hold back any longer and presumptuously went after their number one prize during the 2011 1st Session of the West Virginia Legislature. Read more about how and what happened allowing your children and grandchildren to now be subjected to homosexual indoctrination and cross dressing in public schools!

The only good thing by these latest events, albeit, not insignificant, is the fact West Virginians can see clearly now for the first time by the “coming out” of these actors after working deviously behind the scene many years to promote their agenda, mostly on the dime of the taxpayer.  Our nation and its citizens can finally connect the dots and what better time than in an election year!

We ask all families of West Virginia to contact both your state legislators and union officials and express your position on this most critical issue of our day. Please take special notice of the legislators who have sponsored this legislation or other elected officials who are culpable in any way so you will know how to cast your vote during the 2012 elections.
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“I have one great political idea… The best expression of it I have found in the Bible. It is in substance, ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation; sin is a reproach to any people’ [Proverbs 14:34]. This constitutes my politics — the negative and positive of my politics, and the whole of my politics”.     The Rev. Frederick Douglass, (1817-1895)
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TAKE ACTION!

West Virginia Legislature

Contact by Senator Name / Delegate Name
Contact by Zip Code
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Telephone
1-877-565-3447

United Mine Workers of America

District 17 (Southern WV, Eastern KY, VA, TN)
1300 Kanawha Blvd. E.
Charleston, WV 25301
304-346-0341
jcarter@umwa.org

Sub-district offices

Beckley, WV – 304-252-0611
Castlewood, VA – 276-762-5537
Chapmanville, WV – 304-855-2280
Welch, WV – 304-436-4123
Pikeville, KY – 606-437-7376

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