Greenbelt, MD - Yesterday, the Montgomery County Board of Education agreed to extend a Temporary Restraining Order entered last week against the implementation of a controversial sex-ed curriculum. Liberty Counsel filed a federal lawsuit against the curriculum and is representing Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays ("PFOX") and Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum ("CRC"). Under the agreement reached yesterday, the Temporary Restraining Order will remain in effect until December 31, 2005.

Last week, Judge Alexander Williams granted Liberty Counsel's request and entered a Temporary Restraining Order preventing the implementation of a revised sex-ed curriculum in the Montgomery County public schools. The curriculum, which was scheduled to be tested in six schools starting May 6, 2005, contains factually inaccurate information concerning the health risks associated with same-sex sexual contact, espouses a theological viewpoint that is "gay-friendly", and discriminates against ex-gays and those who believe people can overcome same-sex attractions. The curriculum also ventures into the realm of religion, explaining what Jesus allegedly did and did not say about homosexuality, portraying evangelicals as intolerant and prejudiced and referring readers to gay-friendly religious organizations. In his order preventing the implementation of the curriculum, Judge Williams stated, "The Court is extremely troubled by the willingness of Defendants to venture - or perhaps more correctly bound - into the crossroads of controversy where religion, morality, and homosexuality converge." Judge Williams also stated, "In this case, Defendants open up the classroom to the subject of homosexuality, and specifically, the moral rightness of the homosexual lifestyle. However, the Revised Curriculum presents only one view on the subject - that homosexuality is a natural and morally correct lifestyle - to the exclusion of other perspectives."

Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, stated, "We are pleased that the Temporary Restraining Order has been extended until the end of the year. The extension will give the District time to explore possible resolution of this case or will give PFOX and CRC time to push the case forward to a resolution in court. Make no mistake - the curriculum contains serious constitutional violations that will require substantial revisions to correct. The District must be willing to undertake these revisions to protect the constitutional rights involved."

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