Massachusetts Parent and California Teacher: Victims of Gay Activism In Public Schools

April 29, 2005 - A Massachusetts parent of a kindergarten child was arrested on April 27 for "trespassing" on his son's elementary school campus during a scheduled meeting with school officials over his objection to his son being taught about gay family structures.

Parent David Parker told the principal of Estabrook Elementary School in Lexington and the city's Director of Education that he would not leave the office until he was assured that he would be notified when homosexual subjects are discussed in class. Both refused his request. The police were then called and told Parker he would be arrested unless he left the campus.

In a statement made on April 27, Parker stated: "Since the beginning of this school year, my wife and I have learned that school materials and discussions about gay-headed households/same-sex union issues have been exposed to children. There are definitive plans to increase the teacher/staff/adult mediated discussions of these subjects.

"We have officially stated on many occasions--to the Lexington school administration--a request that we be notified when these discussions are planned, and want our 6-year-old opted out of such situations when arising 'spontaneously.'

"Our parental requests for our own child were flat-out denied with no effort at accommodation. In our meeting on April 27, I insisted that such accommodation be made and refused to leave the meeting room. I was informed that I would be arrested."

Parker's son came home from school with a "Diversity School Bag" that included a book called Who's in a Family? It included drawings of different families, including a series of drawings about Robin who has two fathers: Clifford and Henry.

The Massachusetts-based Article 8 Alliance has posted photos of these materials and the exchanges that have taken place between Parker and school officials over his child being taught about homosexual families.

In a separate controversy at a high school in California, a math teacher has indicated he will resign after the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) on campus put pressure on school officials to punish him for negative statements he made about homosexuality.

Teacher Richard Thompson at West High School in Tracy, California, reportedly told students in his class that homosexuality is unnatural and allegedly told a student during a private conversation that associating with homosexuals is as sinful as being gay.

Gay Straight Alliance leader Justin Daley expressed pleasure that Thompson was going to resign. "That is so pleasant, but I'm scared for the students in which he teaches in the future," Daley noted: "Mr. Thompson is a big part of the problem. There are still issues."

Members of the GSA are now circulating a "school climate" survey to find out what the attitudes are among students and teachers on gay and bisexual students. School Superintendent Jim Franco says he welcomes the information and indicated that the district would take its findings seriously.