A B.C. parents group says it wants to have the same influence over the school curriculum as an activist gay couple working with the Ministry of Education on a new gay and lesbian issues course.

Peter and Murray Corren of Coquitlam had filed a human rights complaint seven years ago, accusing the Ministry of Education of discrimination against gay students and the children of same-sex partners

They dropped their complaint after the ministry agreed to let them help establish a new elective course on social justice for the high school curriculum — one that includes gay and lesbian issues.

They also get to meet with the deputy education minister every six months and comment on the guidelines for the province's curriculum review.

Balance needed, says parents group

Brian Roodnick of Concerned Parents of B.C. says two individuals should not have the power to influence what is taught in the public school system.

"It seems strange to us that two individuals representing a special interest group would have that level of input where the parents of the children do not," he said.

"We want to see balance restored. And we think the best way to restore balance is to get the same level of access for parents to the curriculum in British Columbia."

Roodnick says his group is not anti-gay. He says he wants students to become more tolerant, but adds it is parents who should decide what their children are taught.

The new elective will be launched as a pilot program in September 2007, and will be added to the curriculum in 2008.