News Release: Parents Play Primary Role in Children’s Education, Catholic Conference Says in Response to State Board of Education Vote

(Lansing, Mich.) — This morning the Michigan State Board of Education approved by a 6-2 vote its document “Statement and Guidance on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Students.” In response to the statement’s approval, Michigan Catholic Conference offered the following comments:

“In the Catholic tradition, all persons, regardless of their orientation or identity, are to be treated with dignity and respect. A student’s education and the values instilled by a school are not mutually exclusive. Parents – as the first and primary educators of their children - should feel comfortable both participating in the educational setting and evaluating its principles. Learning environments should recognize the diversity of the student body, including religious beliefs, and promote tolerance for parental rights, student privacy, and the time-honored importance of family. It is unfortunate and regrettable that the Board’s revised document does not satisfactorily address these concerns. As such, Michigan Catholic Conference remains opposed to the Board’s suggested guidance.”

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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