I can't even imagine the shame and confusion that Marcus McLaurin must have felt for having had to fill out this "Student Behavior Contract"(PDF file - safe download). His transgression was simply answering a question from another student about his family. The entire story is here, but here is the short version: (Thanks to Gary Palmer, GLSEN's Co-chair)
"Marcus McLaurin was waiting in line to go to recess on November 11 at Ernest Gallet Elementary School when a classmate asked him about his mother and father. He responded that he didn't have a mother and father; instead he has two mothers. When the other child asked why, Marcus told him that it was because his mother is gay. The other child then asked what that meant, and Marcus explained, "Gay is when a girl likes another girl."
"Upon hearing this, Marcus's teacher scolded him in front of his classmates, telling him that "gay" is a bad word and he should never say it at school, then sent him to the principal's office instead of letting him go to recess. The following week the school required Marcus to attend a special behavioral clinic at 6:45 in the morning, where he was forced to repeatedly write "I will never use the word 'gay' in school again."
The Louisiana ACLU is all over this one, with good reason. The boy is only 7 years old for God's sake.
12:25:20 PM  
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