ALAMEDA -- After hours of heated debate, the Alameda School Board on Tuesday evening voted in favor of a controversial curriculum for elementary school students.

Supporters said it teaches tolerance. But opponents say it goes too far and impinges on the rights of parents.

At issue is "Lesson 9." The curriculum is to be introduced in kindergarten and continue through the 5th grade.

The six 45-minute lessons would include story books, group discussions, and art projects about different definitions of families. Leland Traiman is an Alameda father of two. As a gay parent, he said the curriculum a step in the right direction.

He believes the curriculum will help Alameda students learn about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The lessons fight stereotypes and cut down on playground bullying.

"What this curriculum does stress is everyone -- whether you like it or not -- has to live together without hitting each other without calling people names," said Traiman.

But Tim Lefever of the Capitol Resource Institute, a group that promotes traditional families out of Sacramento, said those who morally disagree with homosexuality and bisexuality will in turn be targeted. "Those students will be labeled, as intolerant unwelcoming, bigots--heteorosexists, homophobic," argued Lefever.

Alameda's superintendent, Kirsten Vital, calls the lesson, a necessity and one that teachers requested. "There is teasing on our play yards where kids say things like 'It's so gay' or 'That's so gay,' said Vital.

In adopting "Lesson 9," the board agreed to develop a supplemental guide, provide teacher training and have the lesson evaluated.

However, the board did not agree to give students the option to opt out. Opponents are already planning legal challenges.