Some Parents Angry About "Gay Fairy Tale" Book In School

[ILuvLarryMullen]

this book is obviously part of the homosexuals' consipracy to turn our children gay

 

[Dreadsox]

[Q]but what i don't understand is, again, why a gay family engenders a right for parents to opt out of a lesson (though here it seems like its just a book read aloud) -- would you, as an administrator, even mention that there was a book that had an interracial family? would that even be a topic of discussion? can you think of examples of other family structures that would provoke such a reaction by a group of parents?[/Q]

I think the underlying problem is.....

That America does not yet equate Civil Rights with Gay Rights. I have read enough, as I am sure you have, that African American churches here in Massachusetts have been outspoken that they are not the same thing.

 

[Dreadsox]

Now you've gone too far. Where are the permission slips?

taking off my administrator hat...puts it to the side....

As a parent, I would be more responsive to having a choice than not. I would not feel like it was being shoved down my throat. I would feel that the school respected my judgement. I would be more likely to allow my child, if there were an educational component put on by the school for me to attend.

And yes, there would be one or two that would opt out....

But a fucking boatload of goodwill on the part of the community...

to the point where the one or two would not have a stage to protest....rallying support against said book not because people are opposed to the book....but because they would have had a say in their child's education.

and maybe, just maybe, if people gave parents a little bit of respect...50 years from now...there would be no need for a permission slip....but just like civil rights...we are not there yet....

But I shudder that we may, by shoving it in the parents faces that we can teach what we want.....may be putting things back to 100 years from now.

 

[martha]

But a fucking boatload of goodwill on the part of the community...

to the point where the one or two would not have a stage to protest....rallying support against said book not because people are opposed to the book....but because they would have had a say in their child's education.

and maybe, just maybe, if people gave parents a little bit of respect...50 years from now...there would be no need for a permission slip....but just like civil rights...we are not there yet....

But I shudder that we may, by shoving it in the parents faces that we can teach what we want.....may be putting things back to 100 years from now.

I completely see your point.

And for all my posturing on this, I wouldn't even read the book to my big kids, but I'd have it in my classroom library for checkout.

 

[Dreadsox]

I completely see your point.

And for all my posturing on this, I wouldn't even read the book to my big kids, but I'd have it in my classroom library for checkout.

Massachusetts is in an interesting point in time. SO much is riding on things working here because of the marriage law.

I am busy dealing with the peanut patrol...I would rather be working on this. I have a fifth grade teacher who does address the topic with her students because there are family photos on her desk that depict her neices and their mothers. She handles questions when kids ask, and lets me know that there may be a phone call...LOL.

 

[WildHoneyAlways]

But a fucking boatload of goodwill on the part of the community...

to the point where the one or two would not have a stage to protest....rallying support against said book not because people are opposed to the book....but because they would have had a say in their child's education.

and maybe, just maybe, if people gave parents a little bit of respect...50 years from now...there would be no need for a permission slip....but just like civil rights...we are not there yet....

But I shudder that we may, by shoving it in the parents faces that we can teach what we want.....may be putting things back to 100 years from now.

I'm torn here. I understand the importance of community support but I in no way want the community dictating what is taught in the classroom. (In my district we've already got the state to do that for us. )

Edit: Perhaps this is more of a grade school issue? I'm not aware of these types of meeting at the high school level.

 

[melon]

And people wonder why I'm misanthropic.

Melon

 

[Irvine511]

I think the underlying problem is.....

That America does not yet equate Civil Rights with Gay Rights. I have read enough, as I am sure you have, that African American churches here in Massachusetts have been outspoken that they are not the same thing. [/B]

yes, but America and the African-American churches are simply wrong.

i mean, they are. history will not be on their side, and they'll all look like a bunch of George Wallace's in 20 years.

and it still doesn't change the fact that gay families exist. why make this fact predicated upon the will of the parents?

 

[BVS]

yes, but America and the African-American churches are simply wrong.

i mean, they are. history will not be on their side, and they'll all look like a bunch of George Wallace's in 20 years.

and it still doesn't change the fact that gay families exist. why make this fact predicated upon the will of the parents?

You are absolutely right. Hindsight is 20/20. It was the same with slavery, women's rights, interacial marriage, etc...

It will all make sence 20 or 200 years too late. It's the sad reality of society.

We have to just keep up the good fight.

Sad but true. Until then, I'll be fighting!

 

[blueyedpoet]

this book is obviously part of the homosexuals' consipracy to turn our children gay

You know that's why they want to adopt

 

[zooperson]

i don't think it is a question of parents who would like to talk to their children about these things themselves. i think it is more about these parents are just cowards who find life more convenient without the difficult task of explaining things that are hard to explain. but sorry that's just part of being a parent isn't it.

"Everyone was saying 'we're all ONE' and we we're saying (with the song One) 'no, we're not, actually. difference is what's important' "- Bono explaining "One"

It would be so easy to just say "everyone is the same" but to say "i recognize the difference now let me embrace it or even just tolerate it" that's brave. and then there is what these parents are doing which is ignoring the difference in hopes that it will go away.

where the FLIP is Mr. Rogers when you need him? (R.I.P.)

 

[ILuvLarryMullen]

You know that's why they want to adopt

next thing you know they'll be wanting abortions too ! I say that is something that is intended to be between a man and a woman. It's a slippery slope i tell ya!

 

[dazzlingamy]

Bascially to answer the question WHY gay marriage when its in society, i think its because its a minority in the schools. Like how they bring in divorce books into primary schools here, that was met with controversay for giving children worries about their parents spliting up etc.

I think, 90% of all family books are hetro happy families, this obviously doesn't match most life, but this obviously doesn't matter to people choosing books.

I think it would be the same if it was about 'david and his mum and her boyfriend that stays over some time' 'mary and her grandma as mum is in drug rehab etc' Not that im saying gay parents are in that boat, but they are a reality that is not a majority, and also confronts an issue a lot of parents are not comfortable with, sadly.

THAT is why its controversal.

 

[blueyedpoet]

I was watching bill o'reilly the other day (not by choice...damn tv in workout room at the country club) and he was talking about the homosexual parents that went with their kids to the White House lawn easter egg hunt with rainbow lays. He found this to be offensive. Essentially, he doesn't think parents should have to explain why "those people" were wearing rainbow lays to their inquisitive children. Why do conservatives always freak out about having to causally talk to their kids about homosexuality? "Some guys like guys and some girls like girls in the same way I like your mommy/daddy," is all the parent would have to say. More than likely, the kid would shrug it off and just accept it.

 

[blueyedpoet]

next thing you know they'll be wanting abortions too ! I say that is something that is intended to be between a man and a woman. It's a slippery slope i tell ya!

Let's keep the sanctity of abortion! God intended it to be between a man and a woman and a doctor and a vacuum. 'Homersexuals are just trying to just take over everything.

I love how we've brought the odd abortion conversation into the gay fairy tale thread.

 

[ILuvLarryMullen]

 

[ILuvLarryMullen]

More than likely, the kid would shrug it off and just accept it.

and exactly is where they see the problem.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

I just want to say that I see nothing wrong with icelle and other dedicated parents wanting the right and the choice to discuss this with their children before the school does and to know about ANY book that their children are reading in school that is part of the curriculum. I don't make the logical leap that any such parent believes that the school is thus "indoctrinating" their children or that any such parent has hatred and/or bigotry towards homosexuals. For me that's not fair and I would make an effort not to do it. Until the person/parent makes it obvious what their agenda is (if any exists) I give them the benefit of the doubt. My feelings about kids eventually having to live outside of the sphere of their parents' influence and having to be able to deal with diversity still stand, but that doesn't mean I would ever paint all such parents with the same brush. But I just don't and can't agree with that woman's statement that her child is being "indoctrinated".

 

[Dreadsox]

yes, but America and the African-American churches are simply wrong.

i mean, they are. history will not be on their side, and they'll all look like a bunch of George Wallace's in 20 years.

and it still doesn't change the fact that gay families exist. why make this fact predicated upon the will of the parents?

I agree they are wrong....but....the reality is they do not equate it as civil rights.

I made my case for why parents should have a say. You make more friends than enemies giving a choice in this matter. I can almost guarentee that parents are more likely to side with the bigot over this choice thing. By taking a stance that they have no choice you are creating more people against the book, and hurting your cause.

 

[Dreadsox]

Edit: Perhaps this is more of a grade school issue? I'm not aware of these types of meeting at the high school level.

I think you see my point. These precious little children who walk through my school doors in Kindergarten at the age of 5-6 have lived reasonably sheltered lives. Protecting their innocence for as long as possible and letting them be children is ALWAYS an issue in an elementary school. That is not a "gay family" issue. It is an issue surrounding everything that goes on through the year. Parents in an elementary school, especially for their firstborn child, are extremely likely to want to shelter their child from the issues of the world, that ADULTS find difficult to deal with.

 

[verte76]

Good points Mrs. Springsteen and Dread, I agree wholeheartedly. That's part of being a responsible parent.

 

[Irvine511]

but, again, i don't see why we'd offer the right to shelter our children from the existence of gay families but we never would against other sorts of non traditional families.

i take Dread's points about the political efficiacy of offering choice in regards to this issue, but i still don't understand why this particular issue needs to be treated with so much more delicacy than others.

(actually, i suppose i do, but i feel like catering to people's prejudices only makes things worse, and i feel as if the only way to combat such prejudice and, bluntly, sheer idiocy of fears of "indoctrination" is to treat gay families as utterly boring and normal as any other non-traditional family unit)

 

[WildHoneyAlways]

Protecting their innocence for as long as possible and letting them be children is ALWAYS an issue in an elementary school. That is not a "gay family" issue. \

Then why all the fuss over this book? Because of this thread I was looking through my friend's, who teaches 1st grade, collection of read aloud books. The book she's reading to her class this week is about a young girl being raised by her grandmother. No phone calls or letters home, no eyebrows raised. If were are talking about protecting children's innocence shouldn't the idea that both of their parents could die raise some concern?

 

[anitram]

I can comment from the POV of somebody who immigrated to North America as a child, and we experienced complete culture shock. Suddenly you live in a multicultural society with people of many faiths, where gays although discriminated against still live far better lives in the public than in most of the rest of the world and so on. And my parents understood that we live in a global society and this is the future of the world. So instead of trying to bend the world to be the way we would have it, we adapted to our new surroundings. You have to be socialized eventually and nobody lives in a bubble. And I understand that these parents want to raise their children the way they see fit, but on this issue, they are dead wrong. Their kids live in a different world today and they need to understand those realities if they are to move beyond their parents' views, which frankly, they will have to. The world is fluid and we evolve along with the tide.

As a parent you certainly have the right to try to rear your children in a way you think it's best. But perhaps these parents should consider what is best for the kids longterm and not what is best for the parents themselves. They will grow up, become teenagers, move away and form their own views one day. Is it not better to allow them a fuller picture of the society in which they live than to restrict their vision to views which are no longer realistic in this world. That's the bottom line here.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

baby steps to equallity.

people are, inherently, stupid. it sucks, but it's reality. how long was the civil rights debate? more than a century? and yet we still have groups of people who just can't give it up.

i'm sure a book about an inter-racial couple having children in the 1950s would have caused quite a stir. and while i'm sure there are still those out there who don't want their children "exposed" to a book like that, well, tough shit. get over it. for the most part it's a non issue.

god willing (that comment alone made me chuckle) the same evolution of thought will happen, only quicker, and in 10-15 years if someone breaks out this book to read to a class, it's also a non issue.


the problem, ultimately, is, as has already been stated, that many can not seperate gay sex from just being gay. frankly, to be honest, neither could i until i got to college and was introduced to things that aren't discussed in white bread township.

the solution, as is the solution to most problems, is education.

 

[Irvine511]

I can comment from the POV of somebody who immigrated to North America as a child, and we experienced complete culture shock. Suddenly you live in a multicultural society with people of many faiths, where gays although discriminated against still live far better lives in the public than in most of the rest of the world and so on. And my parents understood that we live in a global society and this is the future of the world. So instead of trying to bend the world to be the way we would have it, we adapted to our new surroundings. You have to be socialized eventually and nobody lives in a bubble. And I understand that these parents want to raise their children the way they see fit, but on this issue, they are dead wrong. Their kids live in a different world today and they need to understand those realities if they are to move beyond their parents' views, which frankly, they will have to. The world is fluid and we evolve along with the tide.

As a parent you certainly have the right to try to rear your children in a way you think it's best. But perhaps these parents should consider what is best for the kids longterm and not what is best for the parents themselves. They will grow up, become teenagers, move away and form their own views one day. Is it not better to allow them a fuller picture of the society in which they live than to restrict their vision to views which are no longer realistic in this world. That's the bottom line here.

 

[blueyedpoet]

I'm thinking of writing a gay fairy tale story involving Bill O'Reilly and Michael Savage.
Devils in America

But, then I wouldn't want to give homosexuals a bad name.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

Lexington gay rights event fuels debate


By James Vaznis, Globe Staff | April 24, 2006

LEXINGTON -- School leaders are bracing for protesters at the high school on Wednesday, when some students will be participating in a ''Day of Silence," an annual national event in which the participants do not talk to one another to sympathize with gays and lesbians.

Lexington is once again facing a conflict over how it should handle making gay and lesbian students or children of gay and lesbian parents comfortable in school.

The Day of Silence controversy comes as two elementary school parents have complained about a second-grade teacher reading a fairy tale about gay marriage -- the second set of parents to complain about a children's book with a gay theme in it in less than a year.

Lexington High School principal Michael Jones outlined the appropriate ways for students to voice their support of or opposition to the Day of Silence event in a letter sent out earlier this month.

Last year's Day of Silence, during which some students and teachers wore buttons that read ''vocal supporter" or ''silent supporter," prompted opposition from some students and residents.

''Free speech in a public school is protected by constitutional law and Supreme Court decisions," wrote Jones, emphasizing the event is not sponsored by the high school. ''As principal of this school, I cannot forbid students or teachers from wearing buttons, stickers, armbands, or T-shirts in expressing their views."

Wednesday's event already has generated public controversy.

John Moriarty, chairman of Citizens for Freedom, a local group that describes itself as concerned about good government, urged school officials in a letter last week to cancel the Day of Silence event. He said he believes the school is endorsing the event by allowing it to be held during school hours.

The event, he said, divides the community, creates stress, and leads to name-calling on both sides.

''The school should not be endorsing events, programs, or groups that portions of the community are uncomfortable with," he said by telephone. ''That would be politicizing the issue."

But school leaders contend they have a duty to create an atmosphere that fosters acceptance of all students and all kinds of families, including those headed by same-sex parents, and those lessons need to begin when students first enter school as kindergartners.

''We know there are some parents who will be uncomfortable with it, but we want to include all families and children in our school district," said Helen Cohen, chairwoman of the Lexington School Committee.

On Wednesday, Rob and Robin Wirthlin made public their objection to their son's teacher reading the book ''King & King," which featured a prince marrying another prince with the two kissing at the book's end.

In April 2005, Lexington parent David Parker was arrested on trespassing charges because he refused to leave Eastabrook school grounds until the administration allowed him to remove his son from classroom discussions about same-sex parents. Parker objected to his son bringing home from his kindergarten classroom a book called ''Who's in a Family?," which depicted same-sex parents along with other types of families. His stand prompted national groups to come to Lexington and other communities to protest gay rights.

Despite the complaints, Bonnie Brodner, who moved here nine years ago with her partner to raise a family, said she feels as welcomed in Lexington as she ever did. ''The only thing that has changed is people are more open about their support of same-sex parents," said Brodner, a stay-at-home mother of two boys, 6 and 10. ''We haven't gotten any negative reactions."

 

[Irvine511]

you know, i was thinking about this thread when i was running this morning, and i am willing to place a bet: for every bigot parent that protests, 5 other parents will roll their eyes decide to distance themselves from the fundies.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

The eye rollers are overlooked by the media and maybe by all of us. Squeaky wheel gets the grease and all that.