Just who is giving these groups access to the public schools?

An essay contest at a New Mexico high school asks students to explain "why preserving marriage between men and women is vital society and why unborn children merit respect and protection." The contest, at Farmington's Piedra Vista High School, is being held in connection with an essay contest sponsored by United Families International, an organization whose primary mission is "to strengthen the family by promoting marriage between one man and woman and the protection of human life, including unborn children."

The students were given the option of either writing a response to two questions about preserving marriage and the protection of the “unborn” or submitting a personal narrative.

The parent of a sophomore at the school complained about the contest to the ACLU. "The contest had nothing to do with encouraging critical thinking," said ACLU of New Mexico staff attorney George Bach, "It was a tactic to shape students' political views in the guise of an objective school assignment."

The contest was also challenged by Equality New Mexico, and NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico.

The groups sent a letter to the school's principal asserting that the contest violates state regulations banning sexual orientation discrimination by teachers.