Christians sue school for teaching kids about gay marriage

[Grimmlok]

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- Two couples who say a suburban school district undermined their parental rights by giving out and reading storybooks with gay themes without telling them first have filed a federal lawsuit against school officials.

The couples claim the officials broke state law, violated their civil rights, and were trying to teach their children about a lifestyle they consider immoral.

Lexington school superintendent Paul Ash said the schools have no agenda and have done nothing illegal.

Last month, Joseph and Robin Wirthlin objected when a teacher read a storybook about two princes who fall in love to their son's second grade class without notifying them.

David Parker was jailed last year after he refused to leave a school when officials declined to exclude his 6-year-old son from discussions of gay parents. Parker initially complained after his son brought home a "diversity book bag" with a book that depicted a gay family.

Their attorney, Jeffrey Denner, said Lexington violated the rights of privacy and freedom of religion of his clients -- all identified as devout Christians in the lawsuit -- by unilaterally deciding how and when lessons about gay marriage will be taught.

"Parents need to be the ones to determine when it is introduced and how it is introduced," said Parker.

Denner said the school is ignoring a state requirement to notify parents when such topics are discussed so they can remove their children from class if they want.

The school has argued that the state's "opt-out" law requires schools only to inform parents about class content when sex education or human sexuality is the primary focus.

Ash said it would be impossible to notify parents every time such issues come up, because in some cases, it isn't planned.

"In Massachusetts, gays have equal rights," Ash said. "We have gay marriage. Our kids see it, it's part of our overall curriculum. We talk about what kids see in today's world."

The lawsuit, filed by David and Tonia Parker and the Wirthlins, names Ash, the town, school committee members, and other school officials. It seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

It infringes on their civil rights? I didn't see them freaking out about everyone elses civil rights when straight marriage was being taught. Why is that?

Oh right. Ignorance and stupidity.

These people, I swear... they win intellectual Darwin Awards.

[milky*mcgee]

^I've heard about this from the local papers. The worst part is, a 6 year old will see a book with two cartoon princes kissing and think nothing of it. It's their freakin' parents who are losing their minds! I haven't heard of the "diversity book bag", though.

[Grimmlok]

They can hold their hands over their ears, and scream LA LA LA LA all they want but gays exist.

It's so childish. Just pretend we don't work in every facet of entertainment, fashion, design, architecture, hairstyling and sports

Sleeeep... sleeeep.. it's all a dream... we don't have an agenda...

[A*O]

Just pretend we don't work in every facet of entertainment, fashion, design, architecture, hairstyling and sports

It's a CONSPIRACY I tell ya!

[Barbara]

The worst part is, a 6 year old will see a book with two cartoon princes kissing and think nothing of it

Aw come on, isn't ONE charming prince a fucked up enough way of presenting love and marriage to kids, must we have two goddamn princes now?

[Grimmlok]

HAH, they should find some charming commoners

[buttmunch]

Aw come on, isn't ONE charming prince a fucked up enough way of presenting love and marriage to kids, must we have two goddamn princes now?

I hear ya, sista!

[Barbara]

HAH, they should find some charming commoners

Exactly! I know of some

[hello]

I agree with the parents. I don't agree with suing over it. A second grade classroom is not the time or place to teach homosexuality. If a child asks about it to the teacher the teacher should inform the parents and then the parents can discuss it with their child. It is a personal discussion that should not be held in a public classroom atmosphere.

[fahQ]

My son is in 1st grade and knows that some men like men/some women like women. He asked about it when he saw a lesbian couple kissing when we were out shopping. I tried to explain it on his level and he was like "oh. allrighty then" and went about his business. I'm trying to teach him tolerance, and you know what? It seems to be working thus far. He's wise way beyond his years compared to a lot of kids around him.(example: the neighbor boy asked my son if he trusted in god and my son said he does'nt know him, so how could he trust him?lol then that little brat threw a skateboard at him and ran to his mom going "Cameron does'nt trust in god he's going to hell?!??!") Intolerant little shit!
Anyhow, Instead of being all "this is wrong! and that's wrong! don't talk about it! praise the lord!" I'm finding that just being honest with him and answering all of his questions about so called "taboo" subjects is much easier than I thought it would be. I'd much rather it be me than someone else, ya know? He's pretty open minded and I'm very proud of him.
I'm hoping that we'll keep this open dialogue for the remainder of my life.

[Grimmlok]

I agree with the parents. I don't agree with suing over it. A second grade classroom is not the time or place to teach homosexuality. If a child asks about it to the teacher the teacher should inform the parents and then the parents can discuss it with their child. It is a personal discussion that should not be held in a public classroom atmosphere.

Sorry, but it's the exact same thing as heterosexuality. So if the kids aren't ready to learn that, then they aren't ready to learn about any of it.

All or nothing, anything else is discrimminatory.

[SVZ]

(example: the neighbor boy asked my son if he trusted in god and my son said he does'nt know him, so how could he trust him?lol then that little brat threw a skateboard at him and ran to his mom going "Cameron does'nt trust in god he's going to hell?!??!")

What a weird little kid...

[Barbara]

then that little brat threw a skateboard at him and ran to his mom going "Cameron does'nt trust in god he's going to hell?!??!") Intolerant little shit!

Um, obviously the kid hasn't invented that but was taught so by his parents, it's a shame but I wouldn't take it out on him... yet!

[Lobelia]

Kids don't think it's nearly the big scary deal that adults do.

[A*O]

Kids that age can only absorb as much information as they are capable of 'processing' anyway. Anything that's too complicated or they are not ready to deal with will usually just go over their heads PROVIDED their parents don't start drumming their own hateful bigotry into young minds on a regular basis.