By Madison Dymond ‘16

MCPS officials are planning to change the current sexual orientation curriculum taught in health classes. The topic of sexual orientation is normally taught in eighth grade, but there have been proposals to introduce the subject a year earlier. The county also wants to end scripted lessons, which became part of the curriculum in 2005 after a court ruling that cited religious views on homosexuality.

The issue arose again in 2008 when a judge ignored the challenges of religious conservatives who said that “elected officials violated state law by teaching that sexual orientation is innate.” The judge upheld Montgomery County’s sex education lessons.

As societal views on homosexuality have changed in the past few years, more people are now accepting and tolerant on issues of sexual orientation. Last year, same-sex marriage was legalized in Maryland.  Still, MCPS officials note that education is needed, especially on homosexuality to stem bullying. The Board of Education will vote on curriculum changes June 17.