Posted on 09/26/2005 10:31:48 PM PDT by Bonaparte
Daughter of lesbian couple expelled By Mason Stockstill, Staff Writer ONTARIO - A Chino couple plans to picket a Christian school in Ontario on Monday because officials expelled their daughter after learning her parents are lesbians. Tina Clark said the superintendent of Ontario Christian High School gave her a letter explaining that 14-year-old freshman Shay Clark was being kicked out because her parents' sexual orientation is "inconsistent with a positive Christian life style." "My sexual orientation should have nothing to do with her getting an education," Tina Clark said. "I'm the one that's gay. My daughter's not. Why should her civil rights be infringed?" Shay was crushed by what happened earlier this week, which she said came as a surprise. "I knew that I might have problems," Shay said. "But I never thought it would go that far." Principal Tim Hoekstra and Superintendent Len Stob did not return repeated calls Thursday and Friday seeking comment. Phone calls to several school trustees also were not returned. Clark and her partner, Mitzi Gray, have been together for 22 years. They didn't expect Shay would experience discrimination at the school because her older sister had attended Ontario Christian schools from sixth through ninth grade. Additionally, Shay said her friends knew she lived in a home with two mothers, and "it was never a problem." On Tuesday, however, that changed. Gray said when she went to an unrelated parent meeting that Clark was unable to attend, school administrators were confused by her different last name. The next day, both women were called in and asked point-blank if they were gay, Clark said. When they said they were, Shay was expelled. "These are the same people that patted me on the back the Friday before that and asked me how my week had gone," Clark said. The family's situation is not unusual, said Johnny Chagolla of the Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance, a gay-rights organization in San Bernardino. Often, he said, students at religious schools are more likely to face discrimination. "In cases like this, there's a concern," Chagolla said. "A lot of (religious school officials) say they're very open and affirming, and then you see this, and it contradicts what they're saying." A similar situation arose earlier this year at a Catholic school in Costa Mesa, when parents pressured administrators into barring gay parents after a gay couple enrolled their twin sons at the school. Ontario Christian is affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church, a denomination that considers homosexuality a "condition of disordered sexuality," according to the Web site of the Christian Reformed Church of North America. The church considers the act of homosexual sex to be a sin, which "must be condemned as incompatible with obedience to the will of God as revealed in scripture." However, according to the group's Web site, the church should help gay Christians and "give them support toward healing and wholeness." As the family gathered outside the school for a news conference Friday, students and staff peered at the scene out of the windows. Receptionist Cory Overstreet said administrators would not be available to comment. According to the letter signed by Stob, school officials were not aware of Clark and Gray's relationship at the time Shay was admitted. But both women said that question was never asked, and that both of their names were included in all of the required paperwork. "Had we known they were against homosexuality, we would never have sought this school out," Gray said. "It wasn't like we announced it to the world, but it wasn't a secret, either. We've always been a family." Shay's educational future is unclear. At first, Clark had hoped there was a way Shay could return to Ontario Christian. But now, no one in the family backs that idea. The family is looking for another private school Shay can attend, but the admissions process is typically long, and she might not get in anywhere this year. Public school will probably be the answer for now, Clark said. After she gets to a new school, the family may consider legal action, Clark said. The expulsion was difficult for Shay, who said she is upset about being separated from her friends. As for the school's leadership, "They should be embarrassed," Shay said. - Mason Stockstill can be reached by e-mail mason.stockstill@dailybulletin.com , or by phone at (909) 483-9354
Women plan to protest outside Ontario Christian school
These "parents" are unrepentant lesbians. By allowing the girl to attend the school, the "parents" would be allowed at school functions which would give the impression of approval of their lifestyle. What would you do? Ban the parents? You couldn't.
There were 2 new students, girls, who had a "relationship" at my daughters school. They were told to give it up or leave the school. They left. There can be no compromise on the Bible and Christians have to take a stand. What do you think would have been said if the school had asked the girls "parents" to repent as our school did with the 2 students? The "parents" would have had a cow.
I am the first person who is completely blown away by the Grace of God. Can you point me scripturally where Jesus approached someone 7 times and asked them to go and sin no more? His message hasn't changed from generation to generation.
The one person (the rich man) who explained why he couldn't follow 'right now' never made the choice.
I'm not saying it's right to call people ugly names or throw them away. But I believe it's a mistake to misrepresent or misconstrue how Jesus approached sin and redemption. Paul was pretty harsh about it too.
When someone outside of the Christian Faith tries to manipulate Biblical principles (like these two women) it needs to be addressed, quickly and with grace and calm. If the situation changed, I'm sure the school would take the girl back on at least a probationary period.
I think that parents that send their kids to Christian Schools (or homeschool) get to decide as a family when and how to approach things that are outside of a Biblical family unit, not have it thrust on them by a couple with an agenda.
There would be no protest if the school was a Madrassas.
Right. But I think that there is a way to love people, to be concrete about your beliefs, and still care about who they are.
As for kids paying a price, well, that is difficult to say. It depends on the kid. It depends on the circumstance. I certainlt do not want my kids sacrificed on the altar of secular humanism. And yet, I do not want them growing up believing that they cannot have a friend or make a friend who is an unbeliever and a blatant one at that. It's a prayerfully made judgment call.
Are you for real>???? He was constantly challenged that he spent time in the homes of sinners. He was asked why? He said it is the Sick that need the physician...
Buddy the Christ I believe in probably wouldnt be recognized by you today..... in the same way he wasnt recognized 2000 years ago. You better look again at WHO Jesus came to save. Ask yourself the question as you read....." If I was a charicter in and around the stories of Christ who would I most likely be? Would it be the tax collector that cried out humbly in the synagog "Father forgive me a sinner" Or the pharesees that were constantly nippin a Christ trying to trap him???and figure out why they didnt have to change their behavior.
wondering if I knew you at Liberty in the late 80's (although I don't recall a swimming ban). Sometimes I'm surprised any of us stay in churches or maintain a Christian walk after Christian Schools/Universities. But I disagree that being around Christians all the time makes your faith not challenged. I would say you're not hanging around the right Christians. :)
My daughters school did this and it was a mistake. They couldn't get the girls to dress according to the code, they wore no bras and extremely short skirts. One went around threatening to beat anyones a$$ that got in her way. A boy they allowed in was caught selling drugs......it was disruptive in the extreme.
At, which point, you kick their butts out.....Sooner rather than later.
However, let's assume that a teenager is rebelling against the drug-using and totally depraced lifestyle of her parents. Should she be judged by her own behavior or the behavior of her parents?
I agree, audie. It's necessary for many, including me. If these two women are willing to acknowledge their sin, repent and ask for help, I believe the school would be glad to arrange for outreach workers to come to their home on a regular basis to work with them and their child and make referral for treatment as needed.
Who knows? I would certainly be willing to risk asking. I don't think that anyone is going to hell for loving another person, but the expression of homosexuality is clearly against the commands of God. If you part company, you part company, cow or not. Why not just ask? Why not talk about it? If you are willing to ask the question, "Are you gay?" then why not posit, "This is a Christian school, meaning that the covenant you signed indicated that you are a Christ-follower. Do you know what that is all about?" and proceed from there.
ping
I'm not a buddy - and that's condescending! I would ask you to re-read what I wrote. He asked people to leave their sins. He didn't try to convince people. He gave them a clear invitation to "follow him" that meant they left where they were - they left their sin behind.
Nope I was at a School in West texas. Well I found that experience to be true among my friends that went to private high schools and private christian universities. I compared this to friends that attended state universities that had the mindset that they were walking into a mission field. Much different level of spiritual growth.
( Which in the sixtys women could not wear poka dots because they were afraid guys would try to poke their dots ( I am not kidding here) or guys could not sit in chairs that girls just got up from less they be excited by the warmth.... they had to wait an appropriate amount of time.
I am the first person who is completely blown away by the Grace of God. Can you point me scripturally where Jesus approached someone 7 times and asked them to go and sin no more? His message hasn't changed from generation to generation.
If the Lord Jesus himself approached me in the flesh with his saving power, then I would have to agree. But I was not witnessed to by Him, but by imperfect followers. It was a struggle for me to come to faith. It was warfare that people did on my behalf. I am sure that I heard the gospel many, many times before finally submitting to Him in desperation.
No, the message has not changed. Thank God for that. But it does sometimes take time...not immediate.
If you have a 14 y/o that disagrees with the moral guidelines that students are being taught you have a problem. . The 1st daughter got thru without raising any red flags. What was different about the 2nd?
Abilene?
That is exactly my point: It depends on the kid.
I would base my judgement on the kid and not the parents.
If the kid is a disruptive mess......See ya! This school, is not for you.
In our school, three new kids did not last 4 weeks last year.
If the kid is on the right track, it does not matter if his grandfather was Adolf Hitler or if his Dad is Miss Gay San Francisco.
We're talking grade school and high school.College is a totally different experience. The school my daughter attended had only 8 to 15 kids per class. Actually all the schools in this area have small classes. These kids aren't naive either.
So you'd allow this girl to attend the school. Would you ban the parents? Allowing them at school functions would imply approval. To avoid that assumption, would you warn others and say you don't approve? What you don't get is these women have a "win-win" situation. Get kicked out and cause a stink or get your foot in the door and claim approval.
From the article: The family's situation is not unusual, said Johnny Chagolla of the Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance, a gay-rights organization in San Bernardino. Often, he said, students at religious schools are more likely to face discrimination.
It's not descrimination it's separation. And you think you could change the girl? She said: As for the school's leadership, "They should be embarrassed," Shay said.
That wasn't the case here. The girl stated: As for the school's leadership, "They should be embarrassed," Shay said.
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