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Schools Cancel Anti-Bullying Event Amid Controversy

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It was supposed to be a day to bring kids together. But instead, the nationwide "Mix It Up at Lunch Day" is causing controversy after a Christian evangelical group claimed it was a way to promote a gay agenda.

American Family Association, said the project is a way to promote "the homosexual lifestyle in public schools.” The group is urging parents to keep their children home from school for the Oct. 30th event.

About 200 schools have already canceled activities planned around the day.

The program was started 11 years ago by the Southern Poverty Law Center and they say Mix-It-Up At Lunch is aimed at breaking up cliques and stopping bullying.

The law center recently added the American Family Association to its national list of active hate groups.

But the group's director, Bryan Fischer, denied that charge to the the New York Times:

“The reality is we are not a hate group. We are a truth group,” said Bryan Fischer, director of issue analysis for the association. “We tell the truth about homosexual behavior.”

Guest:

  • Kim Severson, New York Times

This segment aired on October 15, 2012.

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