It's really just simple

For the last several weeks, the Sandusky Register has printed articles and opinion pieces highly critical of Ohio House Bill 616, the "Parental Rights" law, also known as the "Don't Say Gay" law, that has been introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives. This law would prevent the teaching of "sexual orientation and gender identity" to kindergarten through third-grade students. In support of your position, you have printed the comments and opinions of left-wing journalists, LGBTQ+ activists, college-level teachers and various legislators, including Democrat U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. But there is one group whose opinions you have not represented — your readers. These are the people who elect legislators to represent them. I suggest that the Register conduct a survey of its readers, just as it has on other local issues. Ask one simple question. "Do you think that children, ages 5 to 8 years old, should be taught about sexual orientation and gender identity in the school classroom? Yes or No." Simple question. Simple answer. Pat TomazicHuron Editor's Note: There have been no reports that any school districts in Erie, Huron, Sandusky or Ottawa counties or anywhere in the state have curricula that includes teaching 5- to 8-year-olds about sexual orientation. There also have been no reports that any lawmakers or professional educators are advocating for this. The results of a survey such as the reader has suggested would be clearly predictable. A survey the Register did conduct in March asked if lawmakers in Columbus should develop legislation to limit how history is taught and how other topics and school curriculums are designed to avoid divisive concepts such as racism in the U.S. or LGBTQ issues? There were 616 responses; 71% of readers answered "No," suggesting lawmakers pushing this legislation were either attempting to exploit divisions and create animosity among the electorate for their own self-serving purposes, or that they should simply stay in their own lane and let professional educators develop curriculums for schools.