Same sex attraction is not a social probem, but a physical attraction, the same as opposite sex attractions. To say otherwise is bigotry. These people should try to run thier own lives and leave orthers to run thiers.

How is being attracted to someone of the same sex a social problem? Drugs, gangs, violence, the fact that 55% of marriages end in divorce should be considered a social problem. Negativity and lack of open communication on both ends, far left and far right will lead to all people becoming short sighted. I would never tell you to like homo sexual individuals, you have a right to like and dislike whomever you choose. Tolerance, doesn't mean to love everyone, it means having an ability to co-exist in harmony. My opinion stands that people don't choose to be gay, yet if they did.... It's their choice, just like it's your choice to think of them as a social problem.

Having studied sexual orientations (both heterosexual and otherwise) for many years, I agree with NAM. The social problems we seem to be facing here are intolerance and ignorance.

Responsible adults have an obligation to provide guidance and protection to youth at an awkward and formative time in their lives. There are those who will aggressively push homosexuality on these children and take advantage of the confusion and uncertainty all youth often experience at this age. Once labeled homosexual it is difficult for a child to later get their life back on track. It is certainly not politically correct to state it so frankly but the consequences to the children who fall in this trap are devastating.

Standard of Liberty co-founder Stephen Graham, who had been set to give the presentation tonight sent out an e-mail to supporters blaming the cancellation on "someone from the homosexual activist group" convincing the district to do so. The e-mail encouraged people to call the district and urge that the forum be allowed to continue.
"The PTA does not have the same opinions as the adminstrators in the school district," the e-mail said. "And for them to cancel this meeting is an outrage.

.... This is almost too silly to write a response to. I recall it is the PTA.. not the PA. You can have your own meetings and sponsor them yourself, and in such meetings you can do and say whatever you want. If you want to have a panel about something... don't deny a differing view such as Larabee to come present as well. (time constraints... hah) Indoctrination does not bode well with an open education system.

Clearly, the greatest "social problem" evidenced in this article is the unfortunate, backwards mindset of the individuals in the Standard of Liberty. Please let folks like them know that there is no place in Utah schools for the intolerance and ignorance they spread.

Hopefully the decision to cancel was not one that was taken likely or rushed. Hopefully those administrators carefully weighed the consequences of both and made an informed and level headed choice. I will assume they did so.

Problems in society are never solved by sweeping them under the rug and silencing dissenting viewpoints. Was it the time or place for the PTSA to discuss this issue, probably not, but measures must be made to curtail in what I feel can only be described as "evil" efforts by the gay community to gain intellectual superiority over groups who would like to extend an olive branch. Anyone who suggest the possibility of change in the lives of these good people is mocked, laughed at and insulted. This not ought be so.

Meeting Cancelled: No Gay Agenda huh?

Same sex attraction is both physical attraction and social problem, NAM - not the least of which because there are so many gay activist voices out there repeating the fictions that gay sex is perfectly harmless, can't possibly be overcome/it's just "who you are", etc.

Gay sex is terribly harmful and destructive to a person's body and soul. To say otherwise is callous to our children and simply irrational. Suppressing all the facts about how deadly serious gay activity is, is heartless to the extreme. And most of all, suppressing the message of hope that same sex attraction CAN be successfully abandoned is perhaps the most heartless message of all, and has led to countless cases of depression and suicide among our SSA-struggling youth.

Stem the tide - tell our children the TRUTH about gay sex.

The truth is that same sex attraction is a perversion, and should be discussed as a social problem by parents and teachers. Those who suffer from this perversion of thought should be given help to overcome their problem. Rather, many would like to justify their perversion as normal and paint others as "bigots" for not agreeing with their lifestyle choice.

I don't advocate making sexual activity among consenting adults illegal. I do believe that parents and schools have a right to teach that homosexual behavior is a wrong and immoral. To say otherwise is to restrict the first amendment rights of good American’s everywhere. The trust is, that those who won't accept anyone having a differing opinion, they are the truly intolerant ones.

The subject of homosexuality, bi-sexuality, transgenderism, etc., is an aberration on society. True, we need to love and show concern for these people, but it is a learned condition; we don't know all the reasons for it, but for those of us who believe in God, there is only one way man was created and that was heterosexually to perpetuate the species or to multiply and replenish the earth. True, The Savior loves all of his children, but does not condone the sin. Same-sex attraction and the other sexual aberrations are sins if acted upon. They can be controlled through proper help. That is common knowledge among medical practitioners and among those who have faith in God. The PTA meeting in American Fork should be held. Again, the Alpine School District Administration has failed their responsibilities in allowing the practice of free speech.

Wow, its not 1920. Are these guys that non-PC savvy? yikes.

Is this a required meeting? Required by the ACLU?

To say this is something that a teenage boy or girl can learn to overcome is insane to me!! When are people going to get a clue that you are born gay or straight. As parents you should be loving your children and supporting them for who they are. No person should ever be ashamed to be who they really are, aren't your teenage years hard enough as it is!! So to hold a meeting about how help someone overcome being gay, that is bigotry to me. Leave it to our close minded mormon society to tell us how we should be. This makes me sick!!

Hey NAM, you don't see same sex attraction as a social problem in American Fork, Utah? Ask any gay or lesbian person in Utah Valley if they feel socially comfortable . . . The small minority who say yes are living in la-la land. And you call same sex attraction a "physical attraction"--I would say sexual orientation, and sexuality in general, is much more in the psychological realm than the physical. But I'm straight, white, and came from an unbroken home, so what do I know?

As a faculty member at American Fork High School, I can assure you that the vast majority of us do not support the anti-tolerance of the PTA president as expressed in her interview. Our school promotes safety and acceptance for all students, regardless of sexual orientation.

It's sad the community came under pressure and was unable to address this issue. I had really hoped to meet someone at the meeting with whom I could share my wardrobe.

There is a God....thank you. I'm glad intelligence prevailed in this matter.

AMEN PERVERSION AND WELL SAID. It is a sad thing that something of this nature is growing to be accepted. It is a perversion and immoral and my kids are taught that. We love the sinner but hate the sin.

Voice of reason, I completely disagree with the promotion of simplistic and uneducated views concerning so called "gay sex." As a someone who works in health care I am very aware that many heterosexuals engage in the same sexual behaviors as those of other sexual orientations and there are no physically "destructive" sexual behavior that can be only associated with homosexuals. Depending on someone's religious beliefs I can't argue the "soul" aspects but I do know that not all religions condemn gay partnership. As for changing sexual orientation, this is a controversial issue that I think is often misunderstood and vastly oversimplified.

I suggest people educate themselves by taking a look at some of the statements about homosexuality put out by some well-respected institutions of our country, for example: The American Medical Association, The American Psychiatric Association, The National Association of Social Workers and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

To Perversion, Are you wearing blinders? Try having someone you love, who was BORN gay, Take their own life because of close minded people like you. The devastation to our family has left a huge hole!! Not being able to be who you were born to be, and not being accepted for that is a problem. Didn't your god tell you to love and accept people for who they are? You can't live a lie, or try and change who you are through, therapy, or prayer. Just love and accept people for who they are. Walk in our grief stricken shoes for one day and see how it feels.

Oh gosh. How I wish I lived in Utah and could see the tv news on this one.
Two powerful forces are colliding: freedom, and insinuation. Nasty fight.

I am pulling for freedom.

If the Gay Agenda and those who promote it were powerful enough to cancel a meeting, I promise you we would use our power to cancel something bigger than a PTA meeting in Central Utah. You homophobes give us waaaaaay too much credit.

Well, you know what they say -
People who are totally secure with their sexuality couldn't care less about how other may view theirs.

Too Bad, I thought we lived in a society of free speech and the feel flow of ideas. Who's afraid of this meeting?

There is no scientific evidence to back up your claim. The tests they've done in the past have had many limitations even the people doing the tests have admitted to. What they do know is that sexuality is much more fluid than people think. How you have sex does affect the brain, it changes it. To not allow the option of helping people change (if they decide to seek treatment) is irresponsible and cruel. No, not everyone that considers themselves gay seeks treatment, or has a problem with how they feel, but those who do should have options available.
We live in a democracy and have the right and responsibility to stand for what we believe in. Just because someone does not have the same beliefs as you do does not make them a bigot. And it is possible to accept the person without accepting the lifestyle. Yes, a person's lifestyle is a part of who they are, but your identity should not be limited to your sexual orientation.

I still don't agree that homosexuality is simply attraction. That said they should allow to openly address the situation.

What a let down. This meeting was going to be a step in the right direction. The schools administrations actions here are shameful.

I just cringe every time somebody says it's inborn and unchangeable. It just doesn't match up with my experience. I knew one young man, who for several years from mid teens to early twenties identified as homosexual. He didn't want this in his life, and was later able to make some changes, married and had children. They are still happily married some twenty years later. I've known several others over the years. Without exception, all of the ones that I personally have known experienced some combination of parental neglect or abandonment, abuse, broken marriages with lousy spouses or some other bad relationship with a heterosexual partner.

I remember as a young teen learning about sex, both types, not being particularly interested at first in sex of any kind, and wondering if that meant something significant. It didn't. But what if I'd had some teacher or my parents making a big deal out of it - or "supporting" me in a different orientation? Maybe some people are born with it - I don't know. Some are born with tendencies to alcoholism or other problems - doesn't mean we support it. If people want to change we should support them. Some can.

I applaud the Board. We don't need the agenda of this organization shoved down our throats. They believe the more they make noise, the more they will be accepted. This life style is wrong. This lifestlye should shock the conscience of society.

Brown Eyes, to assume anyone who disagrees with homosexuality is mormon is bigotry. How do you know that those speaking against homosexuality in this forum are mormon? The fact is that there are more religions in Utah Valley than just mormonism, and many of those religions also disagree with homosexuality. Look in the mirror before you cry out for equality, because there are many of those "closed minded" mormon folk there as well asking for equality. Your communities assumptions about the mormon faith being the cause for all that which is wrong in your life makes me sick!!

I am straight. Very straight. So straight in fact, that the idea of others who are not straight, though the notion seems odd to me, I mind my own business and basically go on with my life.

Others don't view the situation quite like I do.
Though claiming to be straight, they make an inordinate fuss over those who are not straight. Make that a VERY inordinate fuss over this.

I have always wondered what it is that these types are hiding?

Brown eyes, you have my deep sympathy at your loss. Having lost a brother (not to suicide, but he's still gone), I understand somewhat how it feels. I recognize the hole the exists in the fabric of the family and the heartache that exists, as I'm sure many on this comment board do. If your loved one took their life because they were condemned for who they were, that loss can seem even greater. I don't know all the circumstances and am hesitant to judge.

There are ways to help those with same gender attraction deal with it without giving in to it. I refer again to my earlier comment, just because someone is pre-disposed to alcoholism doesnt' mean you give them a bottle, point to the gutter, and say have a good life. You teach them to avoid alcohol, and let them know that you do and will continue to love them. If someone has a hyper-sexuality disorder, you don't give them a diaphram or a pack of condoms and say "go to town", you teach them to deal with it and control themselves, all the while reinforcing the notion that you still love them.

As I have read through the comments and the article in the paper, I especially want to thank the PTSA president of American Fork High for taking the initiative of making us,the public aware of opportunities to learn about what is affecting our children and our families. I know that I would have attended this meeting if it was not canceled.

There is a saying out there that LDS people want to follow Christ but not offend the devil. Well, we're off to a good start. There is definitely more to come.

Many yong people go through a stage where they are attracted to each other or want to experiment. If they act upon these urges it can lead them in the wrong direction.God put us here on earth to have children.I am a great Grandfather and the greatest blessing I have at my age is to be visted by these young people and watch them grow and achieve and become educated in our schools. Watch there participation in sports from the time they are small untill they graduate from college.I feel sorry for those that are unable to have these wonderful experences especially when there by there own choice. Life can be wonderful even at my age Think it over before you make this choice.

It's too bad that the principal cancelled the meeting. Choosing to be homosexual is indeed a problem and it is indeed a choice. In her comments brown eyes is adamant that one is "born gay." Yet, she ignores that scientists completed the human genome project in 2003, years ahead of schedule, and found that there is NO gene for homosexuality. This leads a reasonable person to conclude that the lifestyle is indeed learned, not innate.

I also wonder if the comment from "AFHS teacher" is really from a teacher at the school or instead from an activist posing as a teacher. Why didn't the teacher sign his/her name? When I attended (class of 2001) most of the teachers seemed to be pretty moral and were supportive of the community's moral values as expressed by parents and students.

Finally, the fact that such a discussion on the subject is taking place means that the homosexual agenda is pushing forward. And those who cite authority from the American Psychological Association that living a homosexual lifestyle is not abnormal, you ignore the fact that the homosexual lobby pushed the APA in the 1970s to remove the lifestyle from being classified with "abnormal behaviors."

I definately would be disapointed of one of my kids turned out to be gay.

That said, I teach all of my kids the importance of treating others as they would want to be treated, and that includes people who are different and/or are despised. Especially those people who are different or despised.

Gays certainly fall into this category.

"Every principal supports every student."

I think that the meeting on the whole was a good idea...at first. It should have addressed actual social issues like drugs and porn. things that kids see everyday. However, making it either pro or anti homosexual was a bad idea. Which ever way a person turns is there own personal decision and we should not be pushing one way or another. Environmental or genetic factors aside, they are still our kids, and we should support them regardless.

The Human Genome Project has not identified the function of the 20,000 to 25,000 genes in the human genome. What's more, there may not be a specific gene to homosexuality. However,there may be a gene factor that contributes, along with innumerable other factors, to the biological basis for homosexuality. Science is not a good solution for arguing moral issues.

Sexual behavior is a choice. I am heterosexual and abstinent by choice, but could just as easily be out there living it up. This has caused a few to wonder, one peer to even ask if I was Gay. I burst into laughter because I am good looking and have my act to together but single, LDS and thirty-two yet everyone feels I should be married.

I personally feel gay sex is just as 'evil', damaging or immoral as heterosexual sex between unmarried partners. But what is probably more spiritually damaging is how we treat others. While I do not want the gay agenda forced on me (or a guy hitting on me) I am more than willing to look the other way and not condemn others for their actions.

Kids don't "turn out" to be gay. They either are, or aren't. In other words, IF any of your children are gay, you just don't know it yet.

Methinks the PTA president at that school has some SERIOUS problems in his/her family (like Gayle Ruzicka, who was so busy trying to tell the rest of us how to live, that her son ended up dying from a drug overdose).

If everyone would just parent their OWN children well, and quit worrying about "those other kids" (who are being parented at least as well), there wouldn't be problems.

STANDARD OF LIBERTY? Is that another Sutherland Institute "thinkless tank" trying to fill my quiver?

The list of professional organizations that hold the opinion that homosexual attraction is NOT a choice is long and growing. One of the more recent additions to that list is the LDS Church. That's right, the Church's most recent comments on the issue state that they don't believe homosexuality is chosen. I suspect many of the above commenters stating the opposite are Mormon, and I suggest they get in line with Church doctrine/policy and refrain from spouting falsehoods on the Internet.

Having a belief system and standing for it is not intolerance.

Religiously I do not support homosexual attraction as something to pursue. I'm not ignorant. I reckognize that it is there and I religiously I believe in not interfering with other peoples lives so long as they don't affect mine.

I would argue that homosexual relationships in public affect society as a whole and especially children into thinking that what I consider sinful to be acceptable.

I believe family life to be the center of everything that holds society together and that the more family is lost that the society will break apart.

I also believe that it goes against natural law and design of the body and human family.

I believe homosexual thoughts hinder progress and destroy families, thus no good comes from it. I also believe that much of this comes from being alone too long or only from negative dealings with members of the opposite gender.

Why say all this? I'm not trying to argue or prove anything. Only you can convince yourself right?

What my goal is here is to ONLY show that it isn't intolerance sometimes, but rather I believe against this lifestyle.

there are not many homos in utah so people defending them have no room to speak.

I don't care about your sexual orientation, so shut up and live your life without trying to push your gay rights agenda on the rest of society!! I don't want to hear about your sexual life, and you have no right to hear about mine. If the homosexual community would quit trying to push their agenda on the rest of us, it would be much easier to love the person regardless of their orientation. Your sexual behavior is a choice, regardless of your "orientation". We all could justify homosexual activity or having an affair, it is a choice. And just because you make a choice does not make it ok or give you the right to push it on others.

I teach my children that homosexual activity is absolutely wrong because that is what I believe, and I don't care if you like it or not.

I'm sure perversion and his supporters are the same people who get very upset about sex education in the schools. From their viewpoint teaching kids about the biology of reproduction, std's, and how to prevent std's is immoral.

I agree with them that using the public education system to force one group's opinion on the children of another group is wrong. However, when the coin is flipped these same crusaders have zero problem forcing their own viewpoints on another man's child. No consideration is given to the fact that to many their opinions on homosexuality are immoral.

Don't be a hypocrite. If you want politically correct sex ed for your kid (one devoid of politically sensitive topics like condoms and birth control), then don't be upset when the other side wants political correctness in return (no discussion about the politically sensitive topic of whether homosexuality is right or wrong).

You are SO wrong. Disagree, fine...but don't distort the facts.

The LDS church believes it possible to be born with a tendency to lean one way but that YOU HAVE A CHOICE. Anyone can be tempted, but nothing can take away your choice to decide what to do from there on.

“I think it is an accurate statement to say that some people consider feelings of same-gender attraction to be the defining fact of their existence. There are also people who consider the defining fact of their existence that they are from Texas or that they were in the United States Marines… People can adopt a characteristic as the defining example of their existence and often those characteristics are physical.

We have the agency to choose which characteristics will define us; those choices are not thrust upon us.

The ultimate defining fact for all of us is that we are children of Heavenly Parents, born on this earth for a purpose, and born with a divine destiny. Whenever any of those other notions, whatever they may be, gets in the way of that ultimate defining fact, then it is destructive and it leads us down the wrong path."

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/public-issues/same-gender-attraction

I personally agree with ms.Belinda jensen. Not only are these problems serious in our society, but they are affecting the youth of today! We believe this is wrong behavior- then again we love the sinner and not the sin.

Truth,
You have a lot of "I"s in your comments. "We" need to ensure that "our" children/young adults are educated in schools that are nurturing.
"I" know that there are a great number of teenagers in the Wasatch Front who are homeless because they have been abandoned by the "I"s.
This meeting was never set up to help nurture "our" children, it was meant to judge them.

"I" am happy it was cancelled!