Hundreds of pro-family Californians rallied at the State Capitol on Tuesday to demand that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger veto three bills that would promote homosexuality, transexuality, and bisexuality in schools.
The crowd at the Protect Our Children rally in Sacramento chanted "Veto, veto, veto" as they signed petitions and called the Governor’s office on their cell phones, demanding he veto the bills, according to Campaign for Children and Families (CCF), the Calif.-based pro-family organization that sponsored the rally.
"With one voice, we are urging Governor Schwarzenegger to veto the school sexual indoctrination bills, AB 606, AB 1056, and SB 1437," said CCF President Randy Thomasson at the rally.
"Parents and grandparents are very concerned about these bills pushing transsexuality, bisexuality, and homosexuality upon children as young as kindergarten, without parental permission," reported CCF. "Arnold needs to veto these bad bills, or the people will veto him."
SB 1437 and AB 606 would force all California public schools to change their curricula and school policies to positively portray transsexuality, bisexuality, and homosexuality.
Meanwhile, AB 1056 would spend a quarter-million in tax dollars to promote transsexual, bisexual, and homosexual lifestyle under the name of "tolerance education."
According to CCF, many rally speakers expressed frustration with the governor’s recent signing of SB 1441 – a bill that bans state operated or funded organizations, including Christian schools, from negatively portraying homosexual, bisexual, and transsexual lifestyles.
"We are here today because we want you to be a man who stands up for the family, stands up for our children, and stands up for Christian rights," said Dr. Phillip Goudeaux, pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Sacramento. "Governor, we know you have said one thing and then have done others. Quit flip-flopping on us. Stand up for what is right!"
Other Christian groups that have spoken out against SB 1441 include Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, and Traditional Values Coalition.
Craig DeLuz, president of the Robla School Board, pointed out problems with prohibiting negative speech on homosexuality. He said censoring such talks would mean "if you wanted to talk about the spread of AIDS, if you wanted to talk about high-risk sexual activities, male-to-male sexual contact could not be mentioned because you’ll have violated SB 1437."
Pastor Peter Park, a leader in Sacramento’s Korean-American community, emphasized the right of parents to decide on how their children are educated.
"The Asian American community is known for its emphasis on the education of their children," explained Park. "I have three of my own. I believe like all of you – education is important. But like the majority of Californians, I believe the parents have a say in what our children will be learning in the schools. It is within our moral obligation and legal rights to tell the Governor, with one voice, to veto the bills that are on his desk."
Schwarzenegger has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the bills.
