School Field Trip to Teacher's Lesbian Wedding Sparks Controversy

[TitsMcGee]

First-graders in San Francisco took a field trip to City Hall to celebrate the marriage of their lesbian teacher on Friday, but opponents of same-sex marriage in the state say the field trip was an attempt to “indoctrinate” the students, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The field trip was suggested by a parent at the Creative Arts Charter School, and the school said the trip, where students tossed rose petals on their teacher and her wife as they left City Hall, was academically relevant.

"It really is what we call a teachable moment," said Liz Jaroslow, the school’s interim director, according to the newspaper. She said same-sex marriage had historic significance. "I think I'm well within the parameters."

California will vote on Nov. 4 on Proposition 8 which seeks to ban same-sex marriage in the state, and supporters of the measure say the field trip shows that allowing same-sex marriage will mean it’s taught to school children, the newspaper said.

"It's just utterly unreasonable that a public school field trip would be to a same-sex wedding," said Chip White, press secretary for the Yes on 8 campaign, told the Chronicle. "This is overt indoctrination of children who are too young to have an understanding of its purpose."

Which led to this

SAN FRANCISCO — A girl in pigtails bounds into the kitchen after school and asks her mother to guess what she learned that day. "I learned how a prince married a prince, and I can marry a princess," she exclaims to her mortified mom.

This television advertisement for a ballot initiative that would ban same-sex marriage in California urges voters to "protect children" by approving the measure.

There's not a word about education in Proposition 8, but what public schools will be required to teach about same-sex marriage has emerged as the central issue in the campaign.

The measure's supporters warn that teachers will be forced to tell young children about gay marriage if the measure fails on Nov. 4.

Opponents of the measure say that's deceptive because schools already are required to teach tolerance of gays and lesbians, and the ballot measure won't change that.

"I've seen the spots on the TV, and (legalized gay marriage) just isn't going to require any kind of teaching of personal relationships or lifestyle," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, who has joined the state's largest teacher's union in opposing the measure. "That's just not an accurate statement or portrayal."

To combat anti-gay discrimination, California schools have addressed topics such as gay households, homophobia and sexual orientation for years, well before the state Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal this year. But how school districts choose to deliver that instruction is decided locally instead of mandated by the state, according to educators and legal experts.

Supporters of Proposition 8 — which would overrule the state Supreme Court decision — received fodder for their claims earlier this month. With parental permission, a public charter school took 18 first-graders on a field trip to San Francisco City Hall where their teacher and her female partner had just been wed by Mayor Gavin Newsom.

"The other side's argument is (Prop. 8) has nothing to do with education. Our argument is this has everything to do with education," said Chip White, a Proposition 8 spokesman. "It's already happening."

An estimated 52,000 children are being raised by two mothers or two fathers in California, which is one of 12 states with comprehensive anti-bullying laws that apply to gay students and children with unconventional families.

Some elementary schools have acquired books depicting families with same-sex couples, middle schools have taught students not to use anti-gay slurs, and high schools have sanctioned gay-straight alliance clubs. And school districts have been found liable for not taking steps to prevent anti-gay harassment.

The mother-daughter campaign ad refers to "King and King," a children's book about two princes marrying that became the subject of a lawsuit in Massachusetts, the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. The parents of a second-grader sued after the book was read in class, but the school district successfully argued that advance notice of the reading was not required because the book was not part of the sex education curriculum.

Critics of Proposition 8 point out that many schools in California already use "King and King" and other books to discourage discrimination against gay students or children with gay parents.

"The education code already has a high expectation that school districts are going to create an environment where respect for human dignity and acceptance of differences, including sexual orientation, are promoted," said Laura Schulkind, a San Francisco lawyer who represents school districts across California. "I don't see how the legalization of gay marriage or the passage of Prop. 8 changes that obligation."

The need for such awareness training was brought home to California in February, when a 15-year-old who sometimes wore feminine clothing and talked about being gay was shot to death at his Oxnard junior high school. A classmate has pleaded not guilty to murder and hate-crime charges.

"We have to address harassment and bullying, and there is no way to do that in America without talking about gay people," said Debra Chasnoff, an Oscar-winning filmmaker who has made four documentaries to address anti-gay harassment in schools.

The opposing sides have debated what, if anything, schools must teach about marriage now that gays have the right to wed.

The state education code specifies that marriage should be discussed in sex education classes. But school districts are not required to hold the classes and parents can have their children excused if the course conflicts with their moral values. The vast majority of California districts teach sex ed.

"Current state law does not require school districts to teach anything about marriage or same-sex marriage," Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley wrote in ruling on Proposition 8's ballot arguments. He added, however, that the state "may require" such instruction in the future.

Robin Sinks, the health education specialist for the 90,000-student Long Beach Unified School District, does not think what is taught in California schools will change much regardless of what happens on Election Day.

Teachers in large, diverse districts now strive to make their sex education lessons relevant to straight, gay and bisexual students, Sinks said. "We're talking about really refraining from using things like, husband-wife, boyfriend-girlfriend, those kind of things, and just say 'partner,"' she said.

Gary Marksbury, a history teacher at Lakewood High School in Long Beach, plans to let his students debate Proposition 8 during a mock election, but he is so strongly opposed to gay marriage that he donated $1,000 to support the measure.

Marksbury said California should give parents more latitude to pull their children out of courses that offend their religious beliefs. "In today's world," he said, said, "it seems like tolerance is a one-way street for some people, so if you don't like the idea of same-gender marriage you are immediately labeled a bigot."

California gives local districts authority — and in the case of sex education, the imperative — to adopt curricula that reflect community mores while meeting certain standards. So what students hear about homosexuality in Long Beach schools may be different from what they learn in the more conservative Central Valley.

Wendy Robertson, a teacher at Forest Park Elementary School in Fremont, is not worried about having to explain same-sex marriage to her pupils. During her 17 years teaching kindergarten, Robertson says no one has ever told her to talk about any kind of marriage with her pupils.

If one of her pupils asked if he could marry his best buddy, Robertson said her answer would be age-appropriate.

"I would say, 'Wait and see, you have to be grown-up first,"' she said.

Last time I was in school we needed permission slips for field trips. So either the parents can't read or that teacher is in some serious trouble.

[Guest Megalicious]

Last time I was in school we needed permission slips for field trips. So either the parents can't read or that teacher is in some serious trouble.

Honestly, I am all for gay marriage, but what this teacher did was wrong and I hope she gets in a shit load of trouble for it.

Your there to TEACH CHILDREN facts, logic, and understand of academics. NOT TO INSTILL YOUR VIEW OF WHAT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IN OR ON THEM. That is the job of the parents.

Seriously, WTF was she thinking.

[Simon Bar Sinister]

Why in the fuck would marriage be discussed in sex-ed class?

[TitsMcGee]

Why in the fuck would marriage be discussed in sex-ed class?

Don't you know, you're not supposed to have sex unless you're married lol

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Why in the fuck would marriage be discussed in sex-ed class?

Why wouldn't it be? Comprehensive sexual education covers all aspects of human reproduction and sexuality.

[Head Wreck]

agreed with gaf.

My dad is the black sheep of the family. my aunts family are totaly homophobic, but i grew up knowing that two of my pearents friends who lived together were a couple from an early age.

IT DID NOT EFFECT MY SEXUALITY. people be who they are meant to be, and i am greatfull to me pearents for exposing me to the knowlage. that its okay to be so.

i have never understood homophobia. i remember distinctly a leaving party at work for a girls going off to teach abroad ending up at the gay clubs and bars, as i happened to be the only hetro in the gathering. a few people in the bar were shocked and disbelieving that i was straight. again i never understood this concept either

[Ice Queen (1)]

Last time I was in school we needed permission slips for field trips. So either the parents can't read or that teacher is in some serious trouble.

In the second one, it mentioned that field trip and that parental permission was obtained

It doesn't sound like the parents objected, it sounds like the people that are opposed to same sex marriage objected. Or am I just reading something wrong because I did not get much sleep?

The world is a diverse place, in many ways. There are good people and there are bad people, honest people and liars. There are those that you can count on, and those that will disappoint you. What a person looks like, where they come from or whether they are homosexual or heterosexual really has nothing to do with where they fall.

I prefer to teach my children, among many other things, that not everyone is the same. People do not like the same things, people do not look the same, not everyone believes in the same god, or in one at all, and some believe in many. Not all girls like boys and not all boys like girls, and some like both. You do not have to grow up, get married, and have kids (I have all girls). I do not say one way is right or wrong, or one is better or worse, only that there is differences. I want to prepare my children for the real world and give them a chance to operate successfully within a very diverse society. I don't have to agree with it, but it exists, why not prepare them?

I'm sorry, I think I went off a bit, I blame lack of sleep and sex

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

I saw on CNN yesterday that some Lesbian activists group denounced taking the kids to this wedding saying it was a political stunt and an attempt to indoctrinate the children... sorry, but I missed which group it was.

[Rev.Reverence]

...did anyone catch what grade it was?

I don't see any problem...as long as the papers were in order..& no one is attempting to tell the kids the "good parts" of any given lifestyle...

...I see a definate NEED for indoctrination...indoctrinate the children to tolerance...enough hate arises on it's own.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

First Grade.

[Rev.Reverence]

I saw on CNN yesterday that some Lesbian activists group denounced taking the kids to this wedding saying it was a political stunt and an attempt to indoctrinate the children... sorry, but I missed which group it was.

...RIGHT...the teacher was SO, "you should be gay...scissoring is the bee's knees!!!"..."& you get to wear a rainbow...

It could not possibly be that the teacher saw it as a chance to teach current events...NO way that she would want "her kids" at her special day...& they could learn something in the process...& what kid don't want cake?

[Ice Queen (1)]

...did anyone catch what grade it was?

I don't see any problem...as long as the papers were in order..& no one is attempting to tell the kids the "good parts" of any given lifestyle...

...I see a definate NEED for indoctrination...indoctrinate the children to tolerance...enough hate arises on it's own.

something I meant to say directly, but somehow, only merely implied.

and to answer your question...it said first grade

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

...RIGHT...the teacher was SO, "you should be gay...scissoring is the bee's knees!!!"..."& you get to wear a rainbow...

It could not possibly be that the teacher saw it as a chance to teach current events...NO way that she would want "her kids" at her special day...& they could learn something in the process...& what kid don't want cake?

Have I stated my opinion either way on this somewhere? Have I said anything at all that even hints at how I feel about this?

[Rev.Reverence]

something I meant to say directly, but somehow, only merely implied.

and to answer your question...it said first grade

...that's why I call you me sis!

[Rev.Reverence]

Have I stated my opinion either way on this somewhere? Have I said anything at all that even hints at how I feel about this?

..I was "yelling" at whatever traitorous group of Lesbians you had mentioned...I apologize if it read that I was "yelling" at you...

[Homicidalheathen]

Don't you know, you're not supposed to have sex unless you're married lol

and that would be, again...no separation of church and state

i would not mind at all if my kids got to see one of the first same sex marriges in this country btw...its a historic happening and i raised them with open minds and hearts

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Cool.

Why are they traitorous?

[StormKnight (1)]

Seems interesting. I do like the comprehensive approach to sex-ed that was brought up here.

If there is change for the better in our society, it is the generation or two prior to the current one that will have the hardest time accepting it.

[Slogo]

...RIGHT...the teacher was SO, "you should be gay...scissoring is the bee's knees!!!"

[Rev.Reverence]

Cool.

Why are they traitorous?

...my opinion...since when are you the Inquisition?

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

I'm not, I am just trying to understand your point of view. I was under the understanding that attempting to see the world from multiple points of view was a good thing. I guess I was mistaken. From now on I'll do my best to only look at things from my own narrow perspective. Does that meet your approval?

[Rev.Reverence]

I'm not, I am just trying to understand your point of view. I was under the understanding that attempting to see the world from multiple points of view was a good thing. I guess I was mistaken. From now on I'll do my best to only look at things from my own narrow perspective. Does that meet your approval?

...I'm just sayin'...when someone does not stamp "IMO" on something...you jump on them...

...it seems to make some peoples not post their opinions so much...but then I am also guilty of this on occasion...but it seems to be your favorite hobby...

...so why would you think that they are not traitors? (in the spirit of aforesaid sharing of points of view)

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Well, according to the statement that CNN referred to yesterday, they thought the whole thing was a publicity stunt and was exploiting the children. They didn't think it was appropriate to use 6 and 7 years old for political gain. They also said that they thought it would have the opposite of the intended affect.. as in, instead of getting people to support Gay marriage it shows that Gay were willing to exploit children and therefore they would loose public support for their cause.

Now, I answered. Your turn. How is the fact that they think that traitorous?

also, I was unaware that asking for someone to explain thier position when they state something like that was somehow attacking them. Like I said, I will no longer attempt to understand your postion on things. A full understanding of how people come to thier conclusions seems to be a bad thing... and here I thought it was progressive and open minded.

[Rev.Reverence]

Well, according to the statement that CNN referred to yesterday, they thought the whole thing was a publicity stunt and was exploiting the children. They didn't think it was appropriate to use 6 and 7 years old for political gain. They also said that they thought it would have the opposite of the intended affect.. as in, instead of getting people to support Gay marriage it shows that Gay were willing to exploit children and therefore they would loose public support for their cause.

Now, I answered. Your turn. How is the fact that they think that traitorous?

also, I was unaware that asking for someone to explain thier position when they state something like that was somehow attacking them. Like I said, I will no longer attempt to understand your postion on things. A full understanding of how people come to thier conclusions seems to be a bad thing... and here I thought it was progressive and open minded....nevermind...I forgot you just phrase stuff like you do...

...because...the teacher in question...what does she have to gain "politically"...

I fail to see how bringing kids to a Ceremony at City Hall can "indoctrinate" them to be GAY...perhaps it will steel their hearts against hatred...

...I don't see how the kids were exploited...

ex·ploit

1 : to make productive use of

2 : to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage

[TitsMcGee]

I really need to think twice before I post shit anymore.

My thing was not that they were taken to a wedding, but the fact that a wedding gay or straight really doesn't have any educational value, especially in San Francisco. Sure it was a historic event and a very happy time for the teacher, but in kids shouldn't be taken to city hall just to see their teacher get hitched because thats no what school is for. Which is why I believe she should be repremanded for it.