Recognition by public schools of the family being mother and father with children has been deemed illegal by the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Cranston, R.I. schools agreed -- ending all school activities that associate children with a gender-specific parent.
For background, read Rhode Island Student Censored for Traditional Marriage Artwork and also read More Than Two Genders, Kindergartners Taught as well as Gay Agenda: Illinois School Redefines Family
-- From "ACLU defends Cranston schools' ban on father-daughter dances" by Lynn Arditi, Providence Journal 9/18/12
The Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday defended Cranston school officials' decision to ban "father-daughter" and "mother-son" dances, saying they recognized that such events perpetuate gender stereotyping and violate federal law.
Steven Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island ACLU released a statement that said, "the school district recognized that in the 21st Century, public schools have no business fostering the notion that girls prefer to go to formal dances while boys prefer baseball games. This type of gender stereotyping only perpetuates outdated notions of 'girl' and 'boy' activities and is contrary to federal law."
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From "Father-daughter dances banned in R.I. as 'gender discrimination'" by Rene Lynch, Los Angeles Times 9/18/12
The ACLU, the self-proclaimed guardian of the nation's liberty, says such events violate the state's gender-discrimination law. The organization challenged their existence following a complaint from a single mom who said her daughter was prevented from attending a father-daughter dance in the Cranston Public Schools district.
The phones at Cranston City Hall were already ringing off the hook bright and early Tuesday morning when staffers unlocked the doors. The outrage prompted a reaction from Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, even though he has no control over the schools.
"I am utterly disappointed to have such a time-honored tradition under attack," Fung said in a statement that urged parents to turn their fury on the school district. "I implore the Cranston School Committee to review this decision and find a way to make this work for the children and their parents. I encourage all parents that are upset with this decision to contact their school committee members and make their voices be heard."
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From "RI School System: Father-Daughter Dances Violate Law" by The Associated Press 9/19/12
School Committee Member Andrea Iannazzi said the committee will consider at a Monday meeting a resolution asking the General Assembly to change state law to allow the events.
On Monday, Sean Gately, a Republican running for state Senate, criticized the district decision, calling gender-based events, including the mother-son baseball games, important traditions. Gately's political opponent, Democrat Frank Lombardi, is a school committee member.
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Also read ACLU Forces Prayer Banner Out of Cranston School