By BECKY CRISSMAN

becky.crissman@gaflnews.com



CORDELE — Crisp County Board of Education has been asked to ban the presence of scholarship applications designated for gay students at the high school.

Superintendent Dr. Judy Bean received a complaint this week from a local minister regarding scholarships offered by an organization openly supportive of homosexuality. The applications are reportedly available in the guidance office of Crisp County High School.

Rev. Tony Register of Wenona Baptist Church went directly to Dr. Bean as soon as he received a copy of the flyer which he said was displayed on a table among other scholarship materials.

“It is nothing more than a solicitation for homosexuality,” said Register. “To me it openly offers the opportunity to be ‘paid’ by voluntarily coming forth and admitting homosexuality or your support of the homosexual agenda.

“I think it is an outrage and should not be allowed in our schools.”

The scholarship is offered by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). According to the flyer, applications for scholarships for $5,000, $2,500, or $1,000 are available.

Before completing the form to apply for one of the scholarships, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a graduating senior entering higher education for the first time in 2009 (2008 graduates who take a year off are still eligible).

• Self identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) or as a straight ally.

• Demonstrate an interest in service to the LGBT community.

• Apply to an accredited higher education institution.

According to Dr. Bean, she and members of the board were unaware of the flyer’s presence in the school. In a phone interview, Dr. Bean revealed she had learned that this was not the first year the PFLAG scholarship flyer had been on display in the school.

“Apparently this is the second, possibly third year it has been made available,” said Dr. Bean. “This is the first time this has ever been brought to our attention.

“There is a table in the guidance office that features scholarship materials and that is in fact where the flyer was located. The board does not sanction these materials. They are placed there by guidance counselors.”

Dr. Bean said the flyer was removed after the deadline passed. She says she has never been aware of a Crisp County student receiving or even applying for one of the scholarships.

“If they can promote things like that in our schools without us being made aware of it, then we have a problem,” said Register.

“Dr. Bean informed me that neither she nor the board was aware of the material. I think that is a problem. Our local administration and government needs to be able to keep us informed.

“Every parent should have known it was there. Every community has their own moral standards and should not have to worry about things like this sneaking past us.”

Rev. Ray Burnette, director of missions for the Houston Baptist Association, said the association is taking a stand in the situation.

“We are going to speak up and let it be known how the Christian community feels about this,” said Burnette.

“As Christians we have a right to stand up for what the Bible says about this issue (homosexuality).

“It is our hope that this will be taken out of the school and in the future things like this are evaluated before they are placed in front of our children.

“I believe we should have a choice as to what our children are being exposed to.”

Bean asked the school for copies of the PFLAG scholarship information material. She was scheduled to bring that material before the board as information.

“It is unsure what, if anything the board can do about the situation,” said Bean.

Crisp County High School Principal Toriano Gilbert said the scholarship information in question is placed on a table among other scholarships available for interested students. A list of available scholarships can also be viewed on the school website.

“We do not promote any particular scholarship through our guidance office,” Gilbert said. “However, we do not discriminate against any particular group either.”

School officials act as a resource for students seeking assistance for higher education.

“Nobody was walking around the school handing out specific literature encouraging students to apply for a certain scholarship,” Gilbert said.