David Parker and other parents file federal civil rights lawsuit against Town of Lexington and numerous public school officials over teaching homosexuality to young children.

A groundbreaking legal action for the rights of parents!

Click here for full text of lawsuit.

On Thursday, April 27, 2006, Lexington parents David Parker and his wife, along with Rob and Robin Wirthlin, filed a major federal civil rights lawsuit in United States District Court in Boston.

The suit is against the Town of Lexington, and both individually and as public officials: Superintendent of Schools Paul Ash; former Superintendent of Schools William Hurley; School Committee Members Helen Cohen, Thomas Diaz, Olga Guttag, Scott Burson, and Thomas Griffith; Director of Education Andre Ravenelle; Health Education Coordinator Jennifer Wolfrum; Estabrook Principal Joni Jay; and second-grade teacher Heather Kramer.

According to a press release from the attorneys, the lawsuit has three counts: first, it alleges violations of the Federal Civil Rights of the plaintiffs by the defendants; second, it alleges violations of the plaintiffs' Massachusetts Civil Rights; and third, violation of the State's Parental Notification law [which we wrote and got passed in 1996] which ensures notification to parents prior to discussion with students regarding human sexuality issues.

The suit is seeking, among other things, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages, exemplary damages, and attorney's fees.

Boston media at press conference at Denner Associates on Thursday,
April 27, hours after lawsuit was filed in federal court. Attorney Jeffrey
Denner addresses reporters.

Answering questions before the media: From left: Robin Wirthlin, Rob Wirthlin, Attorney Neil Tassel, Attorney Jeffrey Denner, David Parker, Tonia Parker.

Afterwards, David Parker talks with Associated Press reporter.

Pushing parents beyond the limit.

Exactly one year ago David Parker was arrested and spent the night in jail when he insisted that school officials notify him before they discuss homosexuality with his 6-year-old son. Lexington school officials had arrogantly refused. Instead of working with him, they charged him with criminal trespassing when he merely demanded to be notified.
Click here for our exclusive background report

A few weeks ago, Lexington school officials defended the actions of a teacher who read a "modern" fairy tale of homosexual romance and "marriage" to second-graders. The teacher and principal told parents Rob and Robin Wirthlin that they could not remove their son from such this, nor could they get notice either before or after it happened. And that it might happen again.
Click here for our exclusive report on "King and King".

As you know, Article 8 / MassResistance exposed both of these horrific incidents to the world. Both incidents made national news and outraged people across the country and beyond. (Just today, we were on the radio in Australia about this! They could not believe this could happen anywhere.) Outrageously, Lexington has responded with even more acts of oppression, such as their yearly "Day of Silence" homosexual event at Lexington High School, which took place Wednesday. But everyone has been asking, "What can anyone do?"

"There are serious constitutional issues here that need to be addressed," said David Parker. "Parents are tired of school officials interfering with the moral and religious upbringing of their young, impressionable children."

The Parkers and Wirthlins are represented by well-known Boston law firm Denner Associates, which has experience in criminal defense and civil rights litigation, and is known for its toughness and ability to win cases. After filing the suit in federal court, a press conference was held at the Denner Associates offices in downtown Boston.

We do not know of any legal action of this type taken on at this magnitude, and with this much talent and will to succeed. Yes, this is serious. We feel that this is the beginning of the battle for our rights. Could this be the beachhead we've all been waiting for?