Posted on 08/19/2002 5:30:59 AM PDT by Illbay
By JO ANN ZUNIGA
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle
Two teenage girls who say they ran away from home because they cannot condone their mother's homosexuality will face her in court today in a fight over who should decide where they go to high school.
While it may be unusual for such a dispute to reach the courthouse, gay-rights activists say family conflicts over sexuality issues are common.
"We see every combination," said Clarence Bagby, a board member with the local chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. "It can be one spouse is gay and another straight, dealing with children, or heterosexual parents with gay children."
The group, commonly known as PFLAG, draws as many as 200 people during monthly meetings at Christ Church Cathedral downtown, Bagby said.
"The issue is not only related to a parent's sexuality, but to discipline issues and the child rebelling against the parent," he said.
The girls in the case before state District Judge Lisa Millard today are seeking to be allowed to make their own decisions on where to live, where to go to school and how to manage their jobs and health care.
They claim in a petition filed in Harris County family court that they left their mother's Missouri City home following a dispute over her homosexuality and promiscuity.
"The girls love their mom, but they couldn't tolerate the environment," said their attorney, David Sloan.
The mother, Kimla Mouton Green, has not allowed her daughters, La Kenna, 17, and Shanicola, 16, to return to get clothing or other personal items since July 4, the lawyer said.
"They believe their mother's lifestyle is not right," said Sloan. "They asked her to change and she kicked them out."
Since then, the girls have admitted to the Harris County Children's Protective Services that they ran away.
Green said she "no longer practices that lifestyle" and is receiving counseling from CPS.
CPS spokeswoman Estella Olguin confirmed the counseling but said it was only for parental issues and not concerning homosexuality.
"This is not a common case for us. We only get involved if there are allegations of abuse or neglect," she said.
Olguin said an investigation showed there was no abuse or neglect, including no inappropriate sexual behavior happening in front of the children.
Green complained that the church she previously attended with the girls "brainwashed" her daughters into "gay-bashing" and helped the girls leave home.
Body of Christ Ministry in southeast Houston declined to answer inquiries about the case.
Olguin said the girls discussed how their mother was pointed out during a church service and told that she would go to hell because of her lifestyle.
"The girls were afraid they would go to hell, too, if they lived in that home," she said.
Green said she misses her daughters, who are now living with an aunt and uncle. Their brother, 11, who still lives with his mother, doesn't understand why they left, Green said.
"School is starting up, and I don't even know where they will be going," she said.
The documents filed with the court indicate the girls are good students at Elkins High School but would prefer to attend a smaller, faith-based school run by their church.
But Green said she does not want the girls attending the church school because it is small, newly opened and unaccredited.
"I don't want them falling behind in a new school just getting started," she said.
In a petition filed July 17 in 310th state District Court, the girls allege their mother had numerous homosexual relationships and brought sexual partners into the home. It also states the mother tried to restrict her daughters' religious schooling when their beliefs caused them to question how their mother was living her life.
But, said Sloan, "this is not a gay-rights issue. This is about irresponsible parenting."
"I'm all for reconciliation for the family," he added. "The girls are hurt by the reaction of the parent, and the mom is hurt by the reaction of her children."
How homosexuals describe homosexuals -- see:
At the ages of 17 and 16 these girls have more wisdom that their mother. Bravo for them. I hope they win their court case.
Or if she was a gun enthusiast and possessed an "arsenal".
There must have been a lot of work done to determine an issue on which this would come to court that would have nothing to do with the mom being a queer.
The issue isn't where they go to high school, but whether they are raised in a healthy home. I suspect that the issue before the courts has nothing to do with whether they should be placed back in the custody of their mother because the courts would be tempted to stand by the wishes of a 16 and 17 year old girl who claimed trauma in her own home. That trial would focus on mom's sexual perversion and would not do GLAAD or PFLAAG or HAAG or whoever any good at all.
Just because they're queer doesn't mean they're stupid.
Shalom.
Strangers in the ni-ight ...
Exchanging glances ...
Strangers in the ni-ight ...
Exchanging tho-ongs ...
Wrong. For ALL SAD is a curable condition. Some only choose to remain in it.
God Save America (Please)
Sounds like she's already there.
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