Brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents, thank you for
coming out to support parental rights and our struggle within the
schools.
In this historic birthplace of liberty - I stand before you as
a loving and compassionate father, banned from all schools by the
Lexington administration, subject to arrest.
I stand before you banned from attending my son's first day of
school, Banned from participating in his education at school,
as he enters first grade tomorrow at Estabrook Elementary school.
I am banned from voting, teacher-parent conferences, and school
committee meetings. The Lexington school administration demands
that I ask permission for these rights.
What free US citizen must ask for permission to vote, or to be
in the presence of his son? The school administration, once again,
is attempting to put themselves in the role as parent.
They are not my parents and I am not their child. It is
ridiculous that I have to ask for permission for these basic
rights. During my arrest on April 27th, by all accounts of the
incident, I conducted myself in a civil, non-violent, respectful
and controlled manner. This "no trespass" order, banning me from
all schools, serves no purpose, other than to bully and be hurtful
to my family, and to make us feel unwelcome in the Lexington
schools.
The school administration continues to show intolerance to the
values and beliefs of many parents. The school administration, and
some citizens, are becoming the very essence of what they claim to
be against.
I was arrested on April 27th when my wife and I went into a
scheduled meeting at Estabrook Elementary School, here in
Lexington. We asked for advanced notification when issues of
transgenderism, homosexuality, and gay-headed relationships were
going to be discussed with my 6 year old, when adults within the
school were involved in those discussions. The principle and
director of education were informed by e-mail that we would be
insisting on this notification.
They led me to believe in the meeting that some form of
accommodation was possible and contacted the superintendent by
phone. They faxed a rough draft of an agreement to the
superintendent.
I did not dictate anything to anyone - I was very happy to see,
what I thought were good faith efforts, at some form of
accommodation.
But instead, at the last hour, they decided to not accommodate
to any degree and decided that I was trespassing. They kept hope
alive in that meeting and I hung on to that hope. Instead, they
had me arrested and taken to the Lexington jail where I spent the
night stripped of my shoes, my belt, my wedding ring, and my
parental rights. I did not insist on being arrested. I insisted on
some form of accommodation for just my child.
My wife and I patiently and persistently asked this for almost
four months, in numerous emails and in meetings with the principal,
the director of education, and the superintendent. The language
they used over this 4 month period went from using the term
"homosexual issues" to "same-sex unions" to "gay-headed
households" then to "same-gender households". In this timeframe,
they put a spam-block on our e-mails containing the word "sex".
Instead of addressing and respecting our concerns, they changed the
way they talked about it. Instead of being tolerant of our values
and beliefs, they chose to give no form of accommodation. They said
that these are not parental notification issues and there would be
no right to opt out. Instead of respecting my parental rights, they
chose to take the role of the parent for themselves.
The former Lexington superintendent claims that certain
diversity books don't imply human sexuality. However the
kindergarten book entitled, "Who's in a Family" is described on the
elementary school website accordingly, 'this book emphasizes the
positive aspects of different family structures including gay
headed families - gay is a synonym for homosexual.
The first grade book, "Best, Best Colors" by Eric Hoffman is
described on the school's web site as follows, "Nate has trouble
deciding what his favorite color is, but his 2 lesbian mommas help
him realize that he does not have to have a best, best color." The
term, lesbian, certainly concerns human sexuality.
Furthermore, Robert Skutch the author of Who's in a Family, has
stated the following on May 3rd in an NPR interview, "I wrote the
book to introduce these relationships to young children" and "start
before they are taught there is any other way." - meaning, before
parents can have an impact. I have been told that there are books
such as these in every classroom at Estabrook. When I found out
there were plans to have even more books introduced in every
classroom, I asked if they would notify parents.
The Anti-bias committee replied, "This is not a parental
notification issue." I subsequently resigned from that committee.
I also mentioned that 20% of the families are Asian/pacific Island
yet these families for years have not been proportionally
represented.
Note: I didn't ever ask the school administration to take out
any books from the school, only to notify us of discussions that
may take place when my child might be involved. Yet there was
disregard and intolerance to even the notion of telling the truth.
Whom does the truth hurt? What do they fear by telling the truth to
parents? What we are witnessing is how tyranny is born. And there
is a time to choose truth, over order imposed by tyranny. That time
is now.
Parents, you need to ask questions of your school
administration. This includes teachers, the principal, director of
education, director of health, superintendent, and call your school
committee members. You must turn in the opt out form and by law
they must respond.
Realize that a discussion on transgenderism and gay-headed
relationships, while claiming to only present reality to children,
usually morphs into approval and acceptance. This occurs in a
conversation seamlessly and without your notification.
When you approach school authorities expect to be told "this is
not in the planned curriculum" but realize that it can be discussed
with your child by teachers, staff members, and even other parents
in "spontaneous conversations" or in "curriculum associated"
manners. And you are not being notified.
Expect to be told by school authorities "this is the first
request like this we have had" or "we've never heard this concern
before". But realize this is simply not true. This is told to you
to make you feel isolated and that your requests are fringe.
Since the beginning of the school year, because of stating our
family's values and beliefs, we have been told by people within the
schools 'you have moved to the wrong state', 'put your children in
a private school or home school them', 'if you don't like it - move
somewhere else', and 'your values and beliefs are not welcomed in
our schools'.
There is a small, but active group that believe only they
determine and speak for the values and character of this town.
People have been successfully intimidated and silenced, by name
calling and negative stereotyping. People have felt overpowered in
this town because of a very vocal and determined group of
individuals seek to impose their beliefs on everyone.
As a result, there has been a polarization in this community
that existed way before my family moved to Lexington. It is
obvious that everyone does not embrace each other's beliefs nor
should they be forced to. Freedom is for everyone to enjoy.
When it comes to freedom, all things are possible, but not all
things are good. Complete freedom unguided and uncontrolled leads
to chaos, darkness, and pain for children. The boundaries set by
loving parent's attempts to save children from such a fate.
Natural boundaries of gender, and sexual expression should be
respected and revered.
We have arrived at a time in history when there are those that
seek to proselytize the acceptance of transversing these
boundaries,
within the public schools, beyond our reach, and against our will.
We as parents, at the very least, have the right to be notified how
and when this is planned.
Our children in the public schools are actually being told, "not
to tell their parents" when this takes place, and parents are being
denied access to their own children and lied to - to keep them from
discovering what is actually going on.
Insidiously, this is being done in the name of safety and
tolerance. This is absolutely unacceptable and we as parents will
not stand for it.
People are creating contrived and disingenuous scenarios in
which they proclaim children will be hurt by parental notification
and opting out of certain discussions. This is completely false.
Teachers can easily be discreet in opt-out situations and we all
know it. For example, when different belief systems pertaining to
God are discussed, a teacher quickly intervenes in the discussion
and defers the conversation back home to the parents. Why can't
this occur when other belief systems come into conflict?
In such instances, it is an opportunity for parents to teach
their children - that there are different views and beliefs in
certain areas. And respecting those differences means not forcing
them upon others.
Now imagine certain authorities insist that I agree that my
children must be taught that gay relationships and transgender
transformation are acceptable and normal. When I firmly, albeit
patiently, objected and then finally insisted to be notified when
and how my own children were to be exposed to these issues; I was
arrested and hauled off to jail. The true test of any group's
respect and tolerance of differences is how they treat those that
disagree with them. The school administration, the school
committee, and some citizens, have failed that test. I have not
brought intolerance to this town, but instead, have brought to
light the intolerance that already existed - just waiting for the
opportunity to expose itself to someone audacious enough to
publicly disagree with other's beliefs. My family and our values
are also part of the diversity of this town. Whether my values and
beliefs are in the majority or in the minority - they should be
respected.
I have been charged with trespassing by Lexington School
authorities,
but as they have judged me, they have also judged themselves.
The sanctity of our values and beliefs has been trespassed upon.
My parental rights have been trespassed upon.
They have trespassed upon sacred ground in which they do not have
authority. I am asking them to reconsider their position. Parents
are not going to stand for it any longer.
I am asking the school administration to start by terminating this
"no trespass" order.
However, I realize that hearts may continue to be hardened, as
apparent from counter demonstrations which may include school
committee members.
Therefore:
Let the call go forth from Lexington, across Massachusetts, and
throughout the United States to the world -
Parents stand your ground!
Don't return their hate and intolerance when fired upon,
But if they mean to have a war over our parental rights,
Battling for the hearts and minds of our children,
Then let it begin here.
And with regard to the Lexington School administration banning a
father's will and presence from all schools,
I --- shall --- return!
No powers or principalities on this earth or beyond shall
separate the Father from his Son.
