The Montgomery County School Board unanimously approved a new sex education curriculum for 8th graders and high school sophomores at their board meeting this morning. The district’s old curriculum caused an uproar in 2005 as it included a video for 10th graders showing a woman putting a condom on a cucumber, a discussion of homosexuality and bisexuality in 8th grade sex-ed classes, and the singling out of certain religions for being intolerant towards homosexuality. The curriculum led to a lawsuit from Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, which in turn led to a Federal court injunction that halted the sex-ed classes. The groups complained that the classes would encourage students to have sex, that they failed to describe oral and anal sex as “risky,” and that they didn’t allow “ex-gays” to present their view that homosexuality is a choice.

Today’s meeting was held to decide whether or not to approve a revised curriculum that has been under review for over a year. A product of medical experts, school officials, and a citizens committee, the new curriculum incorporates 69 of 83 recommended changes. According to the Post, however, it leaves both Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum and their opposition group, Teach the Facts, dissatisfied. The proposed classes still do not include the view of the “ex-gays,” but they also exclude a statement that homosexuality is neither a disease, a mental illness, nor a matter of choice. CRC has dropped a cluster bomb of crazy against the curriculum on their website, complaining that the new curriculum teaches kids that homophobia is wrong, and contends that the discussion of homosexuality will lead to teen suicide.

Frankly, this whole issue is a little baffling to DCist; we didn’t know there was a fountain of ignorance bubbling up from a group of MoCo crackpots. Also, who knew they were driving all the way to Anacostia for their church services? We are a little worried though, that they actually think gay people have caught some sort of illness. Maybe they should sit in on these classes when offered this spring. But if not, and, for you parents out there in Montgomery County who are worried about 15-year olds knowing how to use a condom, here’s hoping you’re ready for grandkids!

Photo from n1s.