The Inside Scoop

Family North Carolina Magazine—Sep/Oct 2007

By John L Rustin

Before discussing what is inside the pages of this issue of Family North Carolina, we must first say a fond farewell to former editor, Dr. Erik Root, who has decided to return to the world of academia. Many of you have expressed great interest in and appreciation of this magazine, which was launched exactly one year ago. Erik played a vital role in establishing Family North Carolina as one of the leading family-oriented publications in the state, and his contributions to this magazine will be greatly missed.

The feedback from our July/August 2007 issue has been overwhelming. Many readers have commented that we tackled a variety of very sensitive and socially controversial aspects of homosexuality with skill and grace. It is always our goal and desire to address every issue with the utmost of care, always remembering that we are called to speak the truth in love.

In this issue, we have decided to delve a little further into one of the foundational arguments often used to legitimize the acceptance of homosexual behavior—the supposed existence of a “gay gene.” In our feature article, Douglas A. Abbott, Ph.D., Professor of Child, Youth & Family Studies at the University of Nebraska, explores the scientific evidence—or more properly the lack thereof—for a genetic cause of homosexuality. This is a fascinating study of the myths and misconceptions surrounding behavioral genetics, and it undoubtedly will equip readers with a deeper knowledge and understanding of the fictitious basis of this common defense.

On a related note, North Carolina Family Policy Council staff attorney Tami Fitzgerald explores, in the “Education” section, the ongoing controversy at the Governor’s School, which seems intent on indoctrinating many of North Carolina’s best and brightest high-school students to consider homosexuality, transgenderism, cross dressing and other “alternative” sexual behaviors as normal and acceptable. In June, the Council sent a letter to State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson requesting that the Governor’s School, which is funded with state tax dollars, abandon its controversial practices. This article details what happened.

At a time when the traditional family is being attacked from all sides, it is important that we not lose hope. Families serve as the fundamental building block of our society, and in order for our society to function properly, families must remain strong. Christina Sim, a former legal research associate with the Council and an Alliance Defense Fund Blackstone Fellow, contributes an uplifting and motivational reminder of why families are so essential, and why the roles of mothers and fathers and husbands and wives are so important to our future.

And speaking of our future, the 2007 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly was gavelled to a close in early August. Through the laws they enact, the 170 members of our state legislature, along with the Governor and other government officials, have tremendous power in determining the direction of our state for years to come. We take a look at the activities of the recently adjourned session, the bills that were enacted into law, those that failed, and some that remain on the table for consideration next year.

One issue that has been the subject of ongoing debate in the legislature and across the state is that of school choice, and more specifically, charter public schools. Two notable state-level organizations released conflicting reports about charter schools within the last few months. We analyze these reports and their recommendations and provide some perspective of our own.

Finally, “Radio Talk” features an interview with Alicia Hansen, who is a staff writer and webmaster at the Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C. Alicia discusses her most recent report, “Gambling with Tax Policy: States’ Growing Reliance on Lottery Tax Revenue,” which is very timely considering that North Carolina has recently concluded its first full year with a state lottery. In addition, we are awaiting a ruling by the North Carolina Court of Appeals on our lawsuit challenging the manner in which the lottery was unconstitutionally forced through the General Assembly in 2005. A primary basis of this lawsuit is the fact that the lottery is a tax, and as such, lawmakers were required to follow a specific procedure set out in the State Constitution when considering the lottery, which they didn’t.

Thanks for reading, and remember, we welcome your thoughts and feedback.

John L. Rustin is Vice President and Director of Government Relations for the North Carolina Family Policy Council.