As we reported last week, we are monitoring the Kevin Jennings controversy, and will continue to report back to you as more information becomes available and new developments in the story are unearthed.

Here's the recap for those of you who have not followed our reporting on this story: Prior to his appointment as "Safe Schools Czar" by President Obama, Kevin Jennings was the founder and Executive Director of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. Under Jenning's watch, the organization compiled a recommended reading list that includes sexually explicit and pornographic materials for children in grades 7-12. Now, GLSEN is attempting to have school districts adopt the reading list.

The blog post that contains more information about Kevin Jennings and the sexually-charged recommended reading list can be found online here: http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/

Warning: the material in this post is explicit, and not for everyone.

CRI is urging parents to contact their school districts and the California Board of Education to demand that the books on this reading list stay out of California schools. We encourage you to visit www.stopjennings.org to learn more about President Obama's appointee to the Department of Education.

GLSEN

Homosexual Activists Target Signers of Manhattan Declaration

We recently recieved an email from Susan Brinkman of The Bulletin, who wanted to alert us to some developments in the Manhattan Declaration controversy. The Bulletin reports that homosexual activists are attempting to retaliate against the signers of the Manhattan Declaration through disruption of services and protests in front of Roman Catholic diocesan offices.

Incredibly, according to Brinkman, some in the pro-homosexual marriage debate seem to be under the impression that the Manhattan Declaration is mainly aimed at homosexuals, with other "societal beefs" thrown in. Ignoring the crucial issues of respect for life and religious liberty that are central to the document, Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate is quoted by Brinkman as arguing that the impetus behind the Declaration is opposition to same-sex marriage: "[The framers of the Manhattan Declaration] drafted, approved and signed their Declaration of War on full civil rights for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans last week. They threw in some other societal beefs, just to try and mask the overriding issue, their fervent opposition to same-sex marriage."

The Manhattan Declaration reiterates the right, and duty, of its Christian signers to uphold the basic values outlined in the document: "Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense----We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right - and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation - to speak and act in defense of these truths."

For more information visit manhattandeclaration.org.

List of Religious Leaders Signatories

Ignoring the protests of pro-family citizens and organizations like Capitol Resource Institute, Governor Schwarzenegger declared an official day honoring slain homosexual activist and first openly gay public official Harvey Milk. The bill decrees May 22 as Harvey Milk Day, but leaves the decision of how the day will be commemorated up to public school officials. Now, the activities of that day are being debated in individual school districts, according to the Press-Enterprise.

In question is whether or not the schools will mention Milk in any of their classes or ceremonies, how lessons will be structured, and whether or not parents will have the right to opt their children out of the lessons if they object. While many school districts have yet to determine whether and how the commemorations will take place, at least one, Murrieta Valley Unified School District, will send forms to parents allowing them to opt out. Other districts are expected to reach a decision in the near future.

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar controversial bill in 2008, stating that it would be more appropriate for San Francisco to honor Milk, as he was a San Francisco city supervisor. In the wake of the Oscar-winning film "Milk" and the posthumous awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Milk in July, the governor decided that the increased visibility of the activist merited a special day. Only one other person in California has been so honored - John Muir.

For more information click here.

On December 8, GLSEN sponsored a fundraiser featuring an Off Broadway performance of "Santa Claus is Coming Out." The play is a mock-u-mentary in which Santa struggles to reconcile his relationship with a male Italian toymaker. GLSEN billed the event as a "benefit evening of festivities and entertainment," and the play as a "clever Santa story is sure to leave you with a new found appreciation for the cheery, snowy-bearded icon." The "Coming Out" fundraiser is -- at best -- in extremely poor taste, and one more example of the unfortunate secularization of Christmas.

The United States Senate on Monday sidetracked an amendment that would ban any insurance plan getting taxpayer dollars from offering abortion coverage. As it currently stands, the health care bill under debate in the Senate allows insurance plans to cover abortions, but requires that they can only be paid for with private money.

The Senate voted 54-45 to put down the amendment, in a move that some observers say may cause problems for those who support the health care bill. Seven Democrats supported the amendment; two Republicans rejected it.

For more information: http://www.foxnews.com/

Manhattan Declaration Upholds Pro-Life, Pro-Family Message

On Nov. 20, 2009. a group of prominent Christian clergy, ministry leaders and scholars released the Manhattan Declaration, which addresses the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious liberty. The document, signed by leaders of many different Christian sects, affirms the pro-family, pro-life message that organizations like Capitol Resource Institute defend.

The Manhattan Declaration reiterates the right and duty of its Christian signers to uphold the basic values outlined in the document: "Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense.---- We are Christians who have joined together across historic lines of ecclesial differences to affirm our right - and, more importantly, to embrace our obligation - to speak and act in defense of these truths."

The Declaration is finding wide support among Christian groups. On December 2, Association for Church Renewal President, Rev. David Runnion-Bareford, called for leaders, clergy, and members of the UCC, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran, and other Mainline Churches to sign the document online. The document also has the support of many across the United States and around the world; the Web site set up by the authors to publicize the Manhattan Declaration currently records over 250,000 signatories.

For more information: manhattandeclaration.org.

On December 2, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch ruled in favor of the Alameda School District decision that parents could not take their children out of classes that they felt promoted a homosexual message. The parents, represented by the Pacific Justice Institute, had tried to invoke California's health education opt-out clause to keep their elementary school children from being exposed to the recently approved controversial pro-homosexual curriculum. The judge ruled that this curriculum does not qualify as health education.

During court arguments, Judge Roesch repeatedly insinuated that the parents in the case were bigots, according to Pacific Justice Institute. In their press release covering the details of the argument, PJI stated, "Alameda Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch lambasted the parents, repeatedly insinuating that they are bigots and insisting there can be no homosexual indoctrination because people are born that way. The judge equated a view contrary to his own with creationism and called both false."

CRI was on the scene in May when the Alameda School Board ruled in favor of the curriculum. At that meeting, covered by Fox News for the special "Do You Know What Textbooks Your Children Are Really Reading?," CRI's Karen England and many concerned parents condemned the curriculum for pushing a pro-homosexual message on children in elementary school and taking away parents' rights.

The School Board is not done advocating their pro-homosexual agenda. They will make a decision on an expanded curriculum for children in grades 3 to 5 on December 8.

'FOX News Reporting: Do You Know What Textbooks Your Children Are Really Reading?'

Parents Take a Beating from School District, Court in Anti-Bullying Case

Alameda Unified School District Curriculum

Schools Teach Elementary Kids about Homosexuality

Check Your Vocab: Definitions for Kindergarten and Up

Can Parents Opt-Out Their Children?

CRI's Back to School Tools

Principal Frank Lay, Athletic Director Robert Freeman, and Michelle Winkler of Pace High School in Florida are being harassed by the ACLU for their religious beliefs, according to Liberty Counsel, which is defending the school employees in federal court. Liberty Counsel successfully defended the employees against contempt charges stemming from a prayer that they said with other adults at a meal. Now, the organization is appealing the original ruling restricting the employees' right to religious expression, and the ACLU is retaliating with harassment.

In what it calls a "blatant attempt at intimidation," Liberty Counsel cites a letter that the ACLU sent to the Santa Rosa County School District, in which the ACLU claims that the court order has been violated 16 times. Liberty Counsel argues that "the ACLU, sore from its losses, is stalking school employees seeking to punish them. The ACLU is even prying into their personal lives, asking whether they are organizing prayer meetings in their churches regarding the case."

Liberty Counsel expects the case to wrap up this week. The outcome of the case will represent a win for religious liberty, or, if the ACLU is successful, a victory for those who would limit any religious expression in the public sphere.

For more information: http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=14102&AlertID=1069

In a victory for pro-family advocates, the New York Senate voted by a wide margin to reject a bill that would have allowed homosexual marriage in the state. The Senate's vote was a 24-38 decision, despite the fact that the state Assembly had already passed the bill and New York Governor David A. Paterson (D) pledged to sign it. Those who supported the bill were surprised by the margin of defeat.

The Washington, D.C. City Council also considered the issue of homosexual marriage this week, but this time, the city leaders handed a defeat to pro-family, pro-traditional marriage advocates. The Council voted 11-2 to approve the preliminary bill; the bill will have to pass a 30-day review period, after which it will go to the mayor for his signature.

Pro-family advocates, including the Catholic Church, argue that this bill will limit the religious freedom of those who do not uphold or recognize homosexual marriage. While it does not require churches to marry homosexual couples, the bill does not make an exception for religious organizations when it comes to extending social services (such as adoption) or benefits to same-sex couples.

New York State Senate Votes Down Gay Marriage Bill