(CNSNews.com) - A controversy stemming from the inclusion of "Gay and Lesbian History Month" in last year's calendar has prompted the Philadelphia School District to release a 2007-08 schedule that omits any tributes to the history of any groups of people.

But this change has sparked a new dispute: The head of a homosexual advocacy group called the move "appalling," and the leader of a pro-family organization hailed it as "a courageous step" to protect students "from the dangerous message that 'gay is okay.'"

Cecilia Cummings, the school district's senior vice president for communications and community relations, told Cybercast News Service that until six years ago, the calendar, which is mailed to 200,000 parents and district officials each August, contained only academic dates and a list of public holidays on which the schools would be closed.

"Then one year, someone would say, 'What about Black History Month? Put it on'[the calendar]", Cummings stated. "In another year, someone else would say, 'What about Ramadan? Put it on.' Items such as that were added as part of a very informal process, and while we had some controversy, it was never very loud."

When approaching the 2006-07 academic year, the district decided to expand the calendar format using the theme of "diversity," she said. For that edition, months honoring the contributions of African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian-Pacific Americans were included, as well as the International Day of Disabled Persons.

Nevertheless, the designation of October as Gay and Lesbian History Month drew the most attention -- and complaints, Cummings indicated.

"We were just not prepared for the controversy," she said. "We were besieged by calls, threats and letters, and we didn't have the manpower to staff it. Nor did we have the preparation or training to really figure out how to deal with this issue in a way that could keep kids safe. We had meetings where adults were calling kids names."

The backlash continued throughout the school year, as people criticized district officials at public meetings, Cummings said.

When preparing this year's edition, "We went back to a stripped-down, three-page calendar that is being incorporated into a different publication -- so we're getting two publishings for the price of one," she said.

But the removal of calendar entries celebrating certain groups' contributions to American culture and history drew sharp comments from organizations that were involved in the previous year's debate.

"It is appalling that a school district would drop months that recognize and educate our school children about the history and contributions of America's diverse fabric," said Malcolm Lazin, executive director of the homosexual advocacy group Equality Forum, in a news release.

"GLBT History Month is important for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) students and for the mainstream community," he said. "The GLBT community is uniquely disadvantaged because it does not learn its history at home or in public schools.

"It is important for young people to have role models, know their history, and take pride in the national and international contributions of their community," Lazin said.

At the other end of the cultural spectrum, Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania, thanked the district for making what she called "an excellent choice" and "listening to the parents."

"The approximately 200,000 students that are a part of the Philadelphia School District will not be given the false message that homosexuals played a significant role in American or world history," Gramley stated in a news release of her own.

"Some, like Abraham Lincoln, have been falsely accused of being homosexual," but "let's face it, those who identify as homosexual only make up between 1 and 3 percent of the population," she added.

Gramley also criticized last year's Gay and Lesbian History Month commemoration for including such required reading as Am I Blue, a book with short stories about teenagers who come out as homosexuals.

"The promotion of the homosexual lifestyle through such studies does not provide a safe environment, but instead gives the message that this very dangerous lifestyle is okay" despite the occurrence of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, increased substance abuse and domestic violence, and eating and psychological disorders, she said.

Still, the omission of "history months" and related dates from the district calendar does not mean those times will not be celebrated during the school year, Cummings stated.

And along with last year's controversy, the schools had another reason for returning to its earlier calendar format, she said: the fact that the district is wrestling with a $182 million budget deficit.

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