(U-WIRE) COLLEGE STATION, Texas – One of the most contentious issues in American society today is homosexuality. It is an issue that evokes such strong emotions that both sides of the spectrum seem to have gone overboard.

On one side, there is the First Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan. – more commonly known to the public as the folks that carry the “God hates fags” signs around any event where TV cameras might be found.

Not to be outdone, the homosexual rights side has the group “ACT UP,” whose tactics are similar to those of the New York Knicks’ defense – get up in everyone’s faces as often as possible.

The latest episode in this conflict centers around a documentary in which second-grade children are taught about homosexuality. In one scene, shown on both CNN and the Fox News Channel, a young boy looks at his friend and says, “Who cares if I’m gay?”

The friend replies, “Not me.”

How cute. However, a larger question looms over this scene – how many of these kids have any concept of what homosexuality really is? For that matter, how many can understand the concept of “sexuality” at all?

What the makers of this film seem to have forgotten is that it is next to impossible to teach the birds and the birds to someone if they cannot yet understand the birds and the bees. Instead of having what seems to be the desired effect – “These little children can be tolerant, so why can’t you?” – this film lands firmly in the category of child exploitation.

The concept of human sexuality is not an easy one. It is usually taught in sixth grade or later for a reason. The most mature children do not get “the talk” until third grade or so. Then it usually takes a couple of years for the children to think they really know what is going on. It is only a few years after that they truly understand what happens when the lights go out.

Sex is not a cavalier issue; it should be approached with discretion and tact. Homosexuality is an even touchier issue, and one that should be broached between far more mature individuals.

Having a conversation in class about the book Becky Has Two Mommies, followed by a detailed discussion on homosexuality is not something that should be happening with someone who will go home after school and watch “Animaniacs.”

If the homosexual lobby thinks efforts like this will help convince average Americans to accept homosexuality, it had better think again. Many people are not merely personally or morally opposed to homosexuality, but feel it is a sin condemned by God.

Other people, who have not yet developed a stance on this issue, will almost certainly be sickened by the use of children as pawns in a high stakes game between adults.

Eventually, children will learn that God created (and/or humanity evolved to) Adam and Eve. They will also learn that, in certain parts of the population, they might find Adam and Steve. Before they reach that point, they will have also learned that there is a time and place for everything.

This, it would appear, is something that the creators of this film and those that back their political position have not yet learned. A second-grade classroom is most certainly not the time or the place for a discussion on homosexuality.

Children of this age cannot possibly fathom the depths to which such a discussion can go. One thing that adults most certainly can fathom, however, is how sick an idea this film is.

One of the most often repeated lines by homosexual rights activists is that “hate is not a family value.” This may be true, but planting their beliefs in the minds of young children who are not mentally capable of making their own stances is not education – it is corruption.

If this is the way the homosexual rights lobby chooses to approach this delicate issue, it is in serious trouble. No matter what may come from the mouths of babes, the parents will be so repulsed that it will make no difference.

-Mark Passwaters is a student at Texas A&M University.