Mom ousted for taping gay acceptance `lies' (Forced off property at High School Gay Awareness Day)

The Boston Herald ^ | Thursday, December 16, 2004 | Jessica Fargen

[presidio9]

Two parents, shocked at frank talk during a gay and lesbian awareness day at Newton North High, were forced off the property after one parent whipped out a video camera and started taping.

``This does not belong in curriculum,'' said Kim Cariani, who said four police officers and the principal told them they would be charged with trespassing if they did not leave.

``It's against my religion. It's morally wrong and forced in a child's face.''

Each year, some students at Newton North forgo classes during To BGLAD: Transgender, Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Day with assembly-like sessions including ``Out at the Old Ballgame'' and ``Color Me Queer.'' Students are not required to attend.

Cariani kept her two kids home during the day, but she was curious.

Cariani and another parent, Brian Camenker, were in the audience when adults in a panel discussion talked about being gay. When one man told the students he was attracted to his sister's husband, Cariani said she started to record the ``propaganda, false information and lies.''

The principal demanded Cariani turn over the videotape or leave, Camenker said.

``They took the two of us and pulled us out and gave us one minute to leave and if we came back on the property we would be arrested for trespassing,'' he said.

Tom Mountain, a columnist for the Newton Tab, was also barred from the assembly ``for the safety and security of the children,'' he said he was told.

Newton schools Superintendent Jeff Young said it is a violation of school policy to tape or photograph students without parental permission. Cariani refused to give up the tape, so they were asked to decamp, he said.

The awareness day, held for the past 10 years, is one of several ways the schools highlight diversity, Young said. Students who don't want to go can go to the library or computer lab.

[little jeremiah]

I need two lives at once. There's too much for me to do/read/see/write/research at once. And then there's all the other stuff.

[scripter]

I'm working on a cloning machine. If it fails, I'll start on my transporter and maybe someday I'll get productive enough to help you out. J

[presidio9]

Are you and Mineralman...a sort of "tag-team"?

They're married. You can thank the 9th Circus for that. They picked a last name that reflected their common interest.

BTW I'm not pinging either "man" into this post and there is nothing they can do about it.

[presidio9]

However, you make a point. Perhaps everything that happens at public schools should be videotaped. Classrooms, hallways, offices. Of course, I don't know who'd watch the tapes. Sounds pretty boring to me.

It occured to me a long time ago that there are a lot of parents that would like to have a better idea what goes on in schools. Particularly in political assemblies like this one. Many of the less liberal parents have jobs that prevent this. I bet a lot of parents would have LOVED to receive a copy of Kim Cariani's taop.

BTW, I'm not pinging you into this one either.

[presidio9]

I wonder how you might feel if the school administration were suddenly to decide to "highlight diversity' by having a "pro-life day", which included graphic presentations on things like partial-birth abortion.

Yeah, THAT'S gonna happen...

[presidio9]

There is a possibility that a lot of the parents of those who attend this school and, those of the kids who attended these workshops even, are not aware of just what is being spoken of during these classes and may be appalled that their children, gay or straight, are being subjected to such.

Bravo! I should be pointed out that not all parents with gay MINOR children are thrill with Junior's sexuality. Until the 9th Circus tells us what to think on that matter, nobody else can.

[presidio9]

My comment #8 was banned. Why? I did not use profane or obscene language. What gives here? Moderator? Can you help us out?

You didn't send it to me. Mod, can you help us out so that this person doesn't make the same mistake in the future?

Or are you on cheesecake patrol again...

[EdReform]

Excerpts from the General Laws of Massachusetts: Chapter 272 - CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY, DECENCY AND GOOD ORDER

( more here and here )

[presidio9]

BTW, am I Jeremiah's "cohort" that you refer too? If so, I'm honored.

[presidio9]

LAMBDA

I am unfamilar with this acronym.

[presidio9]

Schools have an "Opt out" policy, not an "opt in" policy, and you have to KNOW ABOUT IT in order to opt out your kids.

In that case, parents should be allowed to deliver a sweeping "opt-out" form to schools and take legal action against schools who ignore it.

[FreedomCalls]

She just can't videotape students without their parent's permissions.

So you're saying students can get abortions without their parents' permission, but they can't have their picture taken without their parents' permission?

What a crazy flipped-up world.

[presidio9]

My long experience on FR has led me to observe that spelling correction is the last refuge of the unimaginative.

[mrustow]

Thanks for the links to the links!

[EdReform]

;o)

[82Marine89]

How can you trespass on public property?

[Grampa Dave]

"Correct - and their embedded PR people are here on this FR thread as usual."

[Grampa Dave]

Yes, I am. Thank you.

[chasio649]

Don't come to Alabama....believe all the rumors and stereotypes...thank you.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt