What same-sex marriage doesn't have to do with kindergarten
The backers of Proposition 8 argue that the ban on same-sex marriage is about protecting school children.
From what?
According to the pro-Prop. 8 ballot argument -- which is being challenged in court, with the case expected to be heard today -- same-sex marriage isn't about "live and let live." No, it contends, a continuation of same-sex marriage would force on our children, from the earliest years of grade school, a curriculum that teaches that gay marriage is fine.
"State education laws require teachers to instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage," the argument reads. "If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, then teachers will be required to teach young children that there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage....That is an issue for parents to discuss with their children according to their own values and beliefs. It should not be forced on us against our will."
The only problem is that everything about this argument isn't just specious, it's just wrong.
According to curriculum experts with the state Department of Education, Section 51890 of the Education Code -- the section cited by the Proposition 9 camp because it calls for teaching children about the legal and financial responsibilities of marriage -- is not a requirement for schools. It's an expected part of instruction for school districts that want a state-funded health curriculum.
Things fall apart more when you get to the kindergarten thing. There is nothing in the Education Code about the age at which children should learn about marriage. The grades at which students should be taught certain subjects is contained on the content standards, and the standards for health education don't mention marriage until high school, at which point students are supposed to learn about the differences between just-plain dating, committed relationships and marriage. The curriculum standards, by the way, aren't mandated either. They are, as the Pirates of the Caribbean put it, more sort of guidelines.
I imagine that as part of this, high schoolers might indeed learn that same-sex marriage is legal in the state of California. And, call me crazy, but I think they can handle it.
Look at it this way. California teenagers also learn extensively about drugs in their health classes. As part of that, they might well hear that California has legalized the medical uses of marijuana. They're certainly not being taught to go light up.
The court would be doing everybody a favor, even the Prop. 8 backers, to get this language off the ballot. It would save them from looking downright silly.
Photo courtesy of EPA/Olaf Kraak.
God forbid children learn how hetero-SEXUAL and homo-LOVING relationships are built on the same Sacred, Christ-like Love. That would make these poor children think all humans are created equal in God's eyes. The abomination!
GAY TAX PROTEST
Posted by: John Bisceglia | August 07, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Do people honestly think that talking about being gay, or the fact that gay marriage exists is going to "harm" anyone? Now lets just say that being gay is some how not okay (which I would never say myself) talking about it won't make your kids gay, it will educate them on what's going on in their society. So you want to enforce hatred and discrimination, or teach your kids that being gay is wrong, then do it in your own home, but the fact of the matter is, this is something that actually exists, and just because you don't agree with it doesn't mean that denying reality is the answer.
Posted by: Mandy | August 07, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Why are none of these religious organizations and backers of Prop 8 worried about the Baptists teachers indoctrinating the Catholic kindergarteners or the Mormon teachers from indoctrinating the Church of Christ schoolchildren in their particular religious beliefs? That is exactly what this spurious claim by the Prop 8 backers is tantamount to. Why not call this exactly what it is: fear mongering!
Posted by: Carl | August 07, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Massachusetts and California do not have Marriage Equality! Marriage Equality is having ALL of the rights of marriage, including the 1138 federal marriage rights, not a legal category labeled "marriage" which is devoid of those rights. Barak Obama supports granting “civil unions and other legally-recognized unions" (including domestic partnerships and marriage) the 1138 federal rights of marriage. Presently, that includes 10 states! That would be Marriage Equality! Who cares what it is called? The vast majority of the LGBT community is more interested in their rights than the title.
The backlash to our marriage-only strategy has brought us an entirely new body of anti-gay laws: the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and 45 states passing laws or constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage. 17 of those laws/constitutional amendments went further by also prohibiting civil unions and domestic partnerships. However, domestic partnerships and civil unions have never been successfully reversed on a direct challenge. The difference between California's same-sex marriage and California's comprehensive domestic partnerships is moot. When will our community start putting reality before rhetoric? True Marriage Equality can only be won in Washington, DC. That is where we should be focusing our energies.
www.EqualityWithoutMarriage.org
Posted by: Leland Traiman | August 07, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Either way children in CA will not be taught that 'gay' marriage and traditional marriage are equal....because in fact they are not! Traditional marriage is recognized by every state and the federal government, same-gender marriage is not.
So really, what children in CA will be taught is that just because you LOOK like everyone else, WORK like everyone else, DO YOUR CIVIC DUTY like everyone else and PAY YOUR TAXES like everyone else we still live in a country where the majority can AND WILL infringe on your right to the pursuit of happiness FOR ABOSOLUTELY NO GOOD REASON!
Posted by: christine | August 07, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Right-wing Christians are lunatics!
Posted by: Flex | August 07, 2008 at 08:09 AM
I have to agree with the opponents of gay marriage in that it hurts children. California needs to respect traditional marriage, because it's no secret that the liberals don't just want recognition of their immoral actions but also they want to change mindsets and even to brainwash young innocents. California liberals have made much headway in legalizing this sort of thing and the voters in the state need to curb them by approving Proposition 8.
Posted by: Steve | August 07, 2008 at 07:35 AM
We can talk about mandates all day, but if gay marriage is legal in California, then students -- when marriage is discussed -- will learn that gay marriage and traditional marriage are equal.
No, that might not be mandated, but it will be taught by teachers at their own discretion. It's already happening in Massachusetts, where students in some schools are being read the gay children's book "King & King." No, that's not mandated, but parents can do little to prevent it from happening. After all, it's legal in the state, right? When it's legal, school officials have the law on their sides and parents can do nothing to stop it.
Yes, gay marriage legalization will change what children are taught in schools.
Posted by: Michael | August 07, 2008 at 06:44 AM