Same gender attraction meeting rescheduled for tonight

AMERICAN FORK — A controversial meeting originally sponsored by the American Fork High School Parent Teacher Student Association to discuss same gender attraction, that was originally planned for last week but cancelled, is now rescheduled for 6 p.m. today in the American Fork Library, 64 S. 100 East, American Fork.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is now being sponsored by Citizens for Families and the Standard of Liberty — not the American Fork High PTSA.

The meeting hadn't been approved by the Parent Teacher Student Assocation Board, and was cancelled after Principal Carol Merrill learned of the event the morning of the meeting. She said she was not previously consulted regarding the topic of the controversial same-gender presentation, according to Alpine School District spokeswoman Rhonda Bromley.

"The principal was not aware of the full content of the meeting. She thought it would just be about pornography," Bromley said. "The principal is not taking a stand one way or another on same-sex relations. She wasn't comfortable with the meeting because she wasn't part of the communication process."

Tonight's program will consist of the same presentations that were initially planned for the parents meeting. John Gunter, of Citizens for Families, will speak about the dangers and availability of pornography. Stephen Graham, of the Standard of Liberty Foundation, will speak about sexual propaganda aimed at minors.

Valerie Larabee, executive director of the Utah Pride Center said her group will be holding another meeting next Wednesday at the library at 5:30 p.m. The purpose will be to offer information and resources to parents and youth.