Homosexual teacher tells class: I'm married

WorldNetDaily ^ | March 25, 2004

[scripter]

When California middle school teacher Ron Fanelle was asked by his students if rumors were true that he was homosexual and he had married his longtime male partner, he decided to tell the truth and confirm it all.

Ron Fanelle

"The kids walked in and there was a buzz about it," Fanelle told the Los Angeles Times. "They said, 'We heard you got married on Valentine's Day; is it true?' I said yes. They asked, 'Was it a man?' I said yes. Then they gave me a standing ovation."

The social-studies instructor was asked about the identity of his "spouse," the length of their relationship, and why he didn't wear a wedding ring.

"I said, 'His name is Randy. It was a beautiful wedding. Any other questions?'" Fanelle told the paper.

Upon hearing some negative comments, Fanelle read aloud to the class the sexual-harassment code from the student handbook, and discussed topics ranging from suffrage and bigotry to the Magna Carta.

Monte Vista Middle School in Camarillo, Calif.

The frank admission has now prompted an investigation by the Pleasant Valley School District, as some parents are pulling their children out of class and accusing the teacher of promoting a pro-homosexual agenda.

"Our intent is to make sure we have all the facts and we preserve everyone's rights," Supt. Tom Dase told the Times. "We're not investigating an individual, and we're certainly not investigating Mr. Fanelle because he's homosexual."

Fanelle's colleagues at Monte Vista Middle School, including Principal Sara Davis, reportedly were aware of his homosexuality and his recent tying of the knot, even congratulating him during a staff meeting.

Though homosexual marriage is not legal in California, the city of San Francisco challenged the matter by printing and issuing its own marriage licenses to thousands of homosexual couples. The controversy is still pending in court.

Several weeks after the admission, the matter was brought up at the televised March 4 school-board meeting by parent David Maddux.

"I come to you tonight with a heavy heart," Maddux told the board, according to the report. "A seventh-grade history teacher announced to his students he's gay. I'm very upset and disappointed that this person was bringing his homosexual platform to the classroom. Mr. Fanelle opened a homosexual dialogue, telling his class he used to be married and he decided he wanted to be homosexual. He said he had homosexual feelings and tendencies."

But other parents, including Elizabeth Rice, are rallying to support Fanelle, writing a letter to the principal.

"I, for one, find nothing distressing whatsoever in a teacher indicating his or her sexual orientation to my children," Rice wrote to Davis.

"As I am sure you are aware, the angry voices you hear at Monte Vista do not speak for many of us. Indeed, I believe equally strongly that we should not continue the prejudice against, and denial of civil rights to, this minority group."

The Times reports Fanelle has since filed complaints against two fellow teachers, claiming they helped spread the word about his homosexuality.

"I got outed," Fanelle said. "I didn't come and tell the kids I was gay. I just gave them the information when they asked about it. I'm the one that got discriminated against."

[scripter]

Why isn't subjecting a student in the class who DID NOT ask about this teacher's 'marriage' considered to be sexual harrassment?

That falls under the double standard MO of the PC crowd. Exposing the hypocrisy of the left is something we need to do more often...

I can't help but wonder what would happen to the student who quoted my tagline to Fanelle - would that be sexual-harassment as well?

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

I'll wager that if you were to meet this guy there would be little doubt as to his gender preference. He was probably the only person he knew who thought his lifestyle was a secret.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

When I was in high school, we were all aware of several teachers who were homosexual. We never brought the subject up and neither did they. We knew we were there to learn academic subjects and so did those teachers.

I don't know when and where you went to high school, but in my day if we had known that some teacher was a fag, his life would have been a misery. Any hint of that tendency in the faculty or students was met with a strong opposition by the male students. Needlees to say, fairies kept their behavior well below the radar.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Maybe the kids misunderstood him and what he really said was "I'm Mary".

LOL! Yep, I bet you're right.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Dang!

[scripter]

Thanks for the local perspective. It's always more interesting and informative when we get a local freeper's report.

When it comes to civil rights for homosexuals I part company. While I'm not into discrimination just because I disagree with how somebody lives their life, I part company at civil rights because homosexuals can leave their lifestyle. Granting civil rights based on a changeable behavior isn't wise.

There's so much to this issue that time constraints prevent me from getting into. Please consider checking out some of the very informative articles here. I'm working on an update as time allows.

[Jimmyclyde]

"I said, 'His name is Randy. It was a beautiful wedding. Any other questions?'"

I laughed out loud when I read this. Randy! And you wonder why there are "Gay Sterotypes". I bet they have two dogs, and are big fans of Will and Grace.

[teletech]

I'm not looking for a fight, but as a father of three sons, two of whom we sent to private Christian schools and one we homeschooled, we found loonies administrating and teaching in the Christian schools as well. One lower school principal, a male, thought it would be a good idea on the school's "crazy clothes day" to dress up like Elton John, fairy sunglasses, stacked heels and all. By the way, this same guy boasts of being a former U.S. Marine and proudly displays photos from his days in the USMC on his office walls. A confused individual, to say the least.

After that we decided to homeschool our youngest son. A decision that, while not initially a joyous one for my wife, was eventually recognized to be the best one in we had made in quite some time.

I am sorry you had that experience. I am Lutheran and I sent both my sons to a Lutheran school run by my parish where they were taught Christian values along with their history, math, english etc.

I was speaking about my own experience and I KNOW I was right to send my boys to Christian school. I also see what is taught in our local public schools here and it isn't what I wanted for my sons.

[Rutles4Ever]

These kids gave him a standing ovation...

Oh my God...

[capitan_refugio]

I tend to agree with you that homosexual behavior is much more "nurture" than "nature." That is to say, based on the studies I have read, or read about, a "gay gene" does not exist.

However, if a teacher is doing his/her job, he/she won't be discussing their sexual orientation or practices, especially if they are not the norm. Junior high school aged kids are naturally curious. That's why I stated earlier the teacher's response to questions should have been, "It's not an appropriate subject for discussion."

In today's local newspaper is an article entitled: "Gay teacher feels "singled out" at school" with second page title reading: "Teacher afraid he'll be fired." (With the troubles on FR today - I just now got back on - I haven't even attempted to post the article, assuming I could find an e-copy.) Two interesting facts came out.

First, the teacher yesterday dropped his formal complaints against the two other teachers he "thinks" outed him. "Now he feels discriminated against. I'm being single out, he said, I'm being treated differently than any other teacher that got married ... but when you are gay, you just say, I had a great weekend, how was yours."

The School District has started an investigation, but has not specified the issues. Fanelle says, "It makes me feel like I am a criminal. It's sending a horrible lesson to 860 students about tolerance. We're just normal folks." [I strongly question the last sentence and wonder what message is sent to the kids when a teacher openly and actively violates the law?]

The second interesting point is that the District has hired an attorney with "expertise in this area," who is working directly for the Superintendent. The County chapter of the California Teachers Associate union has hired a lawyer for Fanelle. Fanelle is 37 years old and has been in his relationship for 15 years. The "happy couple" is pictured on page B2. I wonder if Fanelle discussed with his students how he "consummated" his "marriage."

[capitan_refugio]

"The kids gave him a standing ovation."

Apparently, that part of the teachers statement was "embellished." My understanding, from talking with a couple of parents at the school (though not necessarily parents of kids in that one particular class), was that a few of the girls clapped. The boys, in general, and one in particular, were offended by the tone of the conversation.

[Rutles4Ever]

Further proof of the media's agenda... Thank you for the information.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

I also see what is taught in our local public schools here and it isn't what I wanted for my sons.

We're in agreement on that.

[Bonaparte]

This was in San Francisco, early 1960s. In that part of the country, the tacit understanding amounted to "don't ask, don't tell" (also, "don't advocate, and keep it out of the school environment"). We've had plenty of time to evaluate the result of that approach, haven't we? Forty years later, the mayor of that city has issued marriage licenses to homosexuals in defiance of a voter mandated amendment to the state constitution.

[Bronco_Buster_FweetHyagh]

When students ask a teacher about private sexual matters, the teacher's answer should be simple - that is not an appropriate question, I will not answer that, nor am I allowed to answer that.

[ladylib]

"Upon hearing some negative comments, Fanelle read aloud to the class the sexual-harassment code from the student handbook, and discussed topics ranging from suffrage and bigotry to the Magna Carta."

Ditch that student handbook. Students have a right to make negative comments -- it's called free speech.

[ladylib]

We all laughed at my history teacher when he said we would have a massive immigration problem at the end of the 20th century.

[ladylib]

Somebody should smack the kid upside the head for even asking something like that -- to anybody.

[breakem]

The class didn't asked him about private sex. The first question was did you get married. If they asked a hetero that question is it alright to say yes.

[merry10]

an accompanying article in the ventura county star refers to a sexual molestation that took place on the grounds of OAKS CHRISTIAN HIGH School. I could go on about the sexual assaults on young catholic girls at another ventura county catholic school. Having your kids in Christian schools may not help them, but it might make you feel better.