Gay Marriage Field Trip

[trd9091]

I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on this:

Dated 10/13/08 From: HERE

First-graders in San Francisco took a field trip to City Hall to celebrate the marriage of their lesbian teacher on Friday, but opponents of same-sex marriage in the state say the field trip was an attempt to “indoctrinate” the students, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The field trip was suggested by a parent at the Creative Arts Charter School, and the school said the trip, where students tossed rose petals on their teacher and her wife as they left City Hall, was academically relevant.

"It really is what we call a teachable moment," said Liz Jaroslow, the school’s interim director, according to the newspaper. She said same-sex marriage had historic significance. "I think I'm well within the parameters."

California will vote on Nov. 4 on Proposition 8 which seeks to ban same-sex marriage in the state, and supporters of the measure say the field trip shows that allowing same-sex marriage will mean it’s taught to school children, the newspaper said.

"It's just utterly unreasonable that a public school field trip would be to a same-sex wedding," said Chip White, press secretary for the Yes on 8 campaign, told the Chronicle. "This is overt indoctrination of children who are too young to have an understanding of its purpose."

Personally, I support gay marriage completely, but even I question it's 'field day' status...

Comments

[mickleditch.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's inappropriate because it was a same-sex marriage specifically; it was simply inappropriate, IMO, for a teacher to mix their personal life - their wedding - with their work as a teacher. I'd have said exactly the same if it was an opposite-sex marriage.

[trd9091.livejournal.com]

I agree. I can see where a teacher would invite students, and their families, to such a special event, but I can't see why a taxpayer funded field trip should choose a teacher's wedding.

I guess times have changed, though. When I was in school we took field trips to visit local and state government offices, museums, historical sites, and of course the local peanut butter factory, which incidentally donated large sums of money each year to help out local schools. (this was also in a time where 'pb allergies' were so rare they weren't considered) We always looked forward to that trip since the tour was cool and we got pb&j sandwiches for lunch! I never remember attending a wedding through school - gay, straight, Greek, or shotgun.