WASHINGTON 鈥� A big crowd turned out Thursday night for a contentious public hearing and a controversial vote by the Fairfax County School Board.
The board voted to amend its curriculum, adding a class that focuses on gender identity and sexual orientation.聽 The class is for students in grades 7 through 10, and parents can choose to keep their children out.
Passionate speakers on both sides of the issue pleaded with board members .
Supporters said it would provide much-needed education about the LGBT community.
Opponents called the class a “social agenda” and claimed it was largely unpopular throughout the county.
In recent months, the school board also voted to add gender identity and sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination policy.
