Glen’s news releases are filled with words like “bigot” and “hateful” and “homophobic” describing people who disagree with them. Hence I am stunned at the choice of Mr. Jennings as the national spokesperson for the NNCW.

Mr. Jennings and GLSEN tirelessly inform us that many students are bullied and verbally attacked at school based on perceived homosexuality. Of course, all such name calling is wrong and schools should insist on a safe environment for all students. However, it does not seem an improvement when the response to name calling is more name calling.

The irony of all of this is that the main purpose of NNCW does not seem to be ending name calling. It is about telling the story of Joe, the “gay character” in The Misfits, the book from which NNCW is derived. According to author James Howe, who is gay, he wanted the Misfits to put a more positive slant on being gay in middle school.

Thus, ideology is the real issue here and not name calling.

In an interview with author Howe, published on childrenslit.com, he says concerning Joe: “I wanted him to be a kid who sees himself as cool, who sees nothing wrong with being attracted to the boy who sits next to him in art class as opposed to the girl on the other side of him. He understands, as do the other "misfits" in this story, that the problem isn't with himself, it's with the attitudes and ignorance of others.”

Mr. Howe’s representation of Joe is not simply an incidental device to encourage civility to those who seem different in some way. Rather, it is a clear bid to change beliefs. Mr. Howe wants kids everywhere to come away from this book seeing “nothing wrong” with homosexuality. In actuality, Joe is not a misfit, he is a teacher, making sure those who disapprove of him get the message that they are plagued with incorrect “attitudes and ignorance.”

Now I know why GLSEN is involved with this event.

It appears that NNCW may be another effort on the part of GLSEN and other event organizers to tell those who object to homosexuality on religious or philosophical grounds to “drop dead.”

Adults: want to end bullying and harassment in the schools? Don’t call names, don’t pit groups against each other, enact anti-harassment policies covering all students and then enforce them. Oh, and take a pass on NNCW.

Warren Throckmorton   is director of college counseling and an associate professor of psychology at Grove City College. His research "Initial Empirical and Clinical Findings Concerning the Change Process for Ex-Gays," was published in the June 2002 issue of the American Psychological Association's publication Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Contact him at ewthrockmorton@gcc.edu. Learn about the documentary "I Do Exist" at www.idoexist.net.