"RAINBOW BOYS" CAUSES STIR IN OWEN-WITHEE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Wednesday, January 5th, 2005 -- 12:08 PM
There is a bit of an uproar in the Owen-Withee School District over a book that some claim is a recruiting tool for homosexuality.The book is ?Rainbow Boys? by Alex Sanchez. The Owen-Withee school board recently denied a request to remove the book from the shelves of the library; there is, however, a policy in place that requires 7th through 9th graders to get parental permission before checking it out.
While opponents of the book -- which talks about teen-age boys who are facing changes in their lives -- say it is vulgar, supporters say it could help those struggling with their sexuality, or possibly even contemplating suicide.
In his findings, superintendent James Friesen said he personally didn?t care for the book?s language or subject matter, but thought it had merit; the school board apparently agreed, backing his decision to leave it on the shelves with a 6-1 vote.
Friesen says the book was purchased because it was on a list of recommended reading, and the school wasn?t trying to be controversial.
"It's not a 'how-to' book," Friesen said, explaining his belief that the debate is really over philosophical beliefs as to whether people are created as homosexuals or ?decide? to be homosexuals.
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