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Your first paragraph...

>Your questions about how the polls were conducted are proper...everyone should consider such things...the two sources I mentioned (PEW Research, and Gallup) are well known...I actually anticipated your questions and did a bit of researching on PEW...they are a non-profit firm that everyone seems to agree does not take any policy position...ever...frankly, it would hurt their 501(c)(3) status...as for Gallup, they've been a known commodity for ages with no serious complaints against them...plus, these polls have been taken regularly for a decade or two...there is a consistency in the results...also, you can Google them yourself...it's all on line...that's how I found the data...and, they address all segments of society, Dem...Rep...age...religious affiliation...etc...when a majority consistently validates their acceptance of homosexuals, you know that's the norm...are there people who strenuously disagree?...of course...but that cohort is declining over time...seems like their message isn't resonating. tt

>As for scripture writings...there's obviously lots to talk about here, so I'll be brief...they are indeed ancient, and reflective of different times, circumstances and cultures...nonetheless they have wisdom in them..that needs 'translating' into modern 'vernacular' and living experiences. In that 'West Wing' episode I linked awhile back showed a couple of outrageous scripture guidelines that may have been relevant back in ancient times, but no way would they be taken seriously today...so it is with all readings...we need to discern the meaning(s) in light of all the knowledge - and wisdom - that we have gained in the interim...I don't reject them out of hand, I just try to understand them with a lot more input than just those words...that, I believe, is what many would view as "Bible Study"...otherwise, no one would need to come and talk about those readings.

>btw, the Bay Area has a diverse makeup of Liberals and Conservatives...with the "Libs" holding a majority. In our parish, my wife and I have been part of a group that's been getting together for nearly 50 years...there are conservatives and liberals in it and we work together on many projects, becoming GREAT FRIENDS along the way...without going too far afield here, I'd say the main reason for that is we share a common view of family values...and we believe in working together on many service projects inside and outside our parish...we all contribute "Sweat Equity" in those projects. The unfortunate thing about an on-line site like this is that there is no opportunity to work together and build understanding and trust in one another...over the years I've found that to be the #1 way of bringing people together...not in perfect alignment, but in a productive alignment....enough on that.

Your second paragraph...

>Let's be clear...any discussion of homosexuality is inherently a part of a broader context...i.e. Sex and Sexuality...it is not, nor have I ever heard it to be, a "sales tool" to gather more members...which some people seem to be deathly afraid of...I get that some folks feel that way, but such a scenario never even enters my mind...back to Sex & Sexuality...this is vital education, that frankly not a lot of adults/parents understand...I know this because my wife and I did a stint in our Diocese teaching "Marriage Preparation" for engaged couples...trust me...the majority had no idea what the term "Sexuality" meant, even after all the years of living with their parents...therefore, I am convinced that total reliance on parents exclusively in this area is a recipe for disaster...BUT, that doesn't mean the parents involvement should in any way be curtailed...just "Added to".

>I trust that you have read all the objectives and guidelines that Oregon has for sex education in public schools...I did a quick review and it is extensive...what are your experiences in dealing with the teachers there on this subject?...are you comfortable with what's going on there?...

Your third paragraph...

>I'm sure there are significant differences in content and volume of sex education within the school system depending on grade level...I'm also trusting that professionals, along with PTAs, have and are working on such issues, so I'm not going to offer an uninformed opinion on the matter of whether any grades should be totally unaddressed by the subject...it wouldn't surprise me if any mention of Sex Education in kindergarten or the first two grades was simply brief 'reactionary' counseling to relevant incidents that might arise...but that's just me.

In closing, i agree with you on the need to encourage parents to get active in this arena...but also I feel that they should embrace well-intentioned and well-constructed school Sex & Sexuality programs delivered by their teachers...and I must say that the Florida bill appears to try and hide any discussion of homosexuality...not good, or realistic.