Staples Principal Denounces Education Secretary on Anti-Homosexual Stance

To the Editor:

The newly appointed Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, recently encouraged PBS to withdraw an episode of Postcards From Buster,Ӕ a popular children’s cartoon (and was successful) because in that episode a child was shown to have two lesbian mothers. 

She said that she did not believe that any public money should be spent promoting the homosexual lifestyle and that parents would not want their children exposed to this material. This recent event prompted me to write to Ms. Spelling to share my opinion on the matter.

          February 1, 2005

Ms. Margaret Spellings
Secretary of Education
U.S. Department of Education
Building FB6, Room 7W301
Mail stop 0100
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

Dear Secretary Spellings:

I recently retired as a high school principal, but was asked to serve on an interim basis for a year in a neighboring high school. I remain, therefore, surrounded by teenagers for a 36th year. The decision to become a teacher and then a principal is something I have never regretted. I truly believe that teaching is a noble profession and is sorely underrated by the general population.

In the course of my 36 years in public schools, I have met and worked with many young people who feel unloved, unwanted, too different to be accepted, picked upon, isolated, bullied, and harassed. It is difficult enough growing up in our complex society with all of the temptations to go astray without the added pressure of feeling that you don’t belong.

Fat children, minority children, effeminate boys, masculine acting girls are just some of the young people who are made to feel unwanted in school. It is our job as adults living in those schools to help everyone understand that all who walk through the doors are welcome, have value to add to the school, are wanted, and can discover who they are in a safe and nurturing environment.

I was shocked to hear your official statements regarding the cartoon depicting a traveling rabbit who visits a Vermont child’s home where that child has two mothers. In my opinion, you let your religious beliefs interfere with your role as top educator in our country.

By pointing to this one episode, you sent a clear message that any child who happens to have two mothers or two fathers has to keep it quiet and hide in the shadows so no one will find out.

Our education leader has said it is something we don’t want our children to be subjected to. You’ve made those children feel uncleanӔ and ashamed of who they are. What an awful thing to do! Why would you make such a statement?

Coincidentally, in my last year as principal before I retired, I had to speak to a 15-year-old boy whose father was gay. He loved his father very much, but was being teased by others in the school. His need to belong to a group and his loyalty to his father were being tested. It hurt him every day.

His father and his father’s partner did not know what to do. Thank God our school population, in general, was accepting and we were able to get the boy involved in school affairs where he found friends who didn’t care who his parents were.

Imagine if he had heard you on national radio or television espousing your hurtful views about young people’s families.

I am just an ordinary guy. Perhaps because I am now 60 years old I can no longer remain silent when I hear absurdities being uttered by people in my government. After all, what can happen to me? Can I be fired from my job for taking a stand?

I am ashamed that you represent my profession. I guess I just have to hope that the next Secretary of Education will represent all children regardless of who their parents are.

Sincerely,

John M. Dodig
Principal, Staples High School
Westport