# Marcus has two mommies or "I will never use the word \`gay' in school again." **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 2, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445 "2003-12-02T05:15:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/1 "2003-12-02T05:15:16Z")
What the hell are they thinking? This is a public school. [Boy punished for talking about gay mom](http://www.salon.com/mwt/wire/2003/12/01/gay_mom/index.html) > [@](#): > > A 7-year-old boy was scolded and forced to write “I will never use the word `gay’ in school again” after he told a classmate about his lesbian mother, the American Civil Liberties Union alleged Monday. > > Second-grader Marcus McLaurin was waiting for recess Nov. 11 at [Ernest Gallet Elementary School](http://www.lcet.doe.state.la.us/submit/TechSurvey/School_view00.asp?SID=028048) when a classmate asked about Marcus’ mother and father, the ACLU said in a complaint. > > Marcus responded he had two mothers because his mother is gay. When the other child asked for explanation, Marcus told him: “Gay is when a girl likes another girl,” according to the complaint. > > A teacher who heard the remark scolded Marcus, telling him “gay” was a “bad word” and sending him to the principal’s office. The following week, Marcus had to come to school early and repeatedly write: “I will never use the word `gay’ in school again.” ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/2 "2003-12-02T05:23:17Z")
Here’s a fuller version of the story. It just gets nastier and more unbelieveable. [Boy says mom is gay; school rebukes him](http://www.planetout.com/pno/news/article.html?2003/12/01/4) ---
**Author:** ![SnoopyFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@SnoopyFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnoopyFan)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/3 "2003-12-02T05:46:34Z")
Yeah, that’s pretty screwed up. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/4 "2003-12-02T05:49:38Z")
You’re right, that is bizarre. Apparently the teacher’s original objection stemmed from her strange belief that saying, “Gay is when a girl likes another girl” constitutes “smut”. > [@](#): > > On a separate form for the Louisiana Department of Education, Bethea said Marcus “told the other child that gay is when a girl likes a girl. This kind of discussion is not acceptable in my room,” she continued. “I feel that parents should explain things of this nature to their own children in their own way.” But I like this kid. > [@](#): > > Marcus came home with a “Student Behavior Contract” for his mother’s signature, where he had been obliged to detail his transgression. “I sed bad wurds,” wrote the second-grader under the heading, “What I did.” Under “What I should have done,” Marcus wrote: “Cep my mouf shut.” Yup, got it in one, Marcus. You live in a world that is by and large intolerant of your mother’s lifestyle; better not to mention it in the future unless you’re sure of your listener. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/5 "2003-12-02T05:53:58Z")
Y’know, I’m as cynical and pessimistic as anyone I know, but fuckinay, once in a great while I’m still astonished at how ignorant and downright stupid some people are. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/6 "2003-12-02T05:56:40Z")
If there’s any justice in the world, the fallout of this should be: a woman who should not be teaching will no longer be teaching, and Marcus gets a big head start on his college fund. I am, however, still awaiting a cite that shows there is any justice in this world. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/7 "2003-12-02T06:13:18Z")
Okay, I think I’m gonna cry. That’s just fucked up. ☹ You know, it’s one thing to attack gays and lesbians-which is wrong and disgusting-but going after them through their KIDS? Dude, that is just…I don’t know. I feel sick. ---
**Author:** ![Darkhold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@Darkhold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darkhold)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/8 "2003-12-02T06:16:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Bethea said Marcus “told the other child that gay is when a girl likes a girl. This kind of discussion is not acceptable in my room,” she continued. “I feel that parents should explain things of this nature to their own children in their own way.” Anyone else get the feeling she means “their own children in their own way” means “as long as they explain to them it’s a sin and that they’ll burn in hell” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/9 "2003-12-02T06:28:57Z")
I don’t see a response from the school yet but I hope the ACLU eats them alive. This is indefensible. I wonder if the kids are allowed to use Ben Gay for sore muscles. ---
**Author:** ![Nocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9fc348/32.png) [@Nocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nocturne)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/10 "2003-12-02T06:47:01Z")
As long as they don’t explain WHICH muscles they use it on. ---
**Author:** ![Fang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fang)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/11 "2003-12-02T06:49:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > **If there’s any justice in the world, the fallout of this should be: a woman who should not be teaching will no longer be teaching** Haha. Fire a teacher. That’s rich. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/12 "2003-12-02T08:54:32Z")
I’m a designated homophobe according to some of the best minds of the SDMB, and I’m appalled as anything! Not sure about firing the teacher- maybe suspension & real sensitivity training, and real heat on the principal who apparently validated the teacher’s reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/13 "2003-12-02T09:02:05Z")
Terribly sad, but unsurprising. Unleash the lawyers all the same, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/14 "2003-12-02T09:12:49Z")
If there were justice in this world, teacher and principal would **both** be forced to submit written appologies to both child and parents, saying: 1) They had no business sticking their noses in a pupil’s parents’ way of life and 2) They had no business reprimanding a pupil for _decribing_ (not creating!) a real life situation that they find in disagreement with their beliefs. **Then** , these letters should have been circulated throughout teaching staff and student bodies in schools across the world. **With** the names of said staff members still attached. Yeah, right ☹ This kind of bigotry make my blood boil, and I’m not even gay! ---
**Author:** ![Astra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@Astra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astra)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/15 "2003-12-02T09:15:57Z")
This is absolutely horrible. That poor kid. Why does it not surprise me it happened in Lousiana? ---
**Author:** ![Already\_in\_Use](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@Already\_in\_Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Already_in_Use)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/16 "2003-12-02T09:23:27Z")
Here’s an idea: the next time some fucknoodle says something like, “Why do gay people have to shove their sexual orientation in my face all the time?”, we show that person this article. It’s an example of everything that’s wrong with the way America sees its gay citizens. It’s saddening that some moral and intellectual troglodytes, even when they claim to “accept” homosexuality, see the fact that two adults love each other – _not_ the details of how they have sex, just the fucking fact that _they love each other_ – as something dirty and unsuitable for children. ---
**Author:** ![county](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@county](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/county)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/17 "2003-12-02T11:10:46Z")
When/if the ACLU gets this to court, they may lose. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/18 "2003-12-02T11:32:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by county \* > \*\*When/if the ACLU gets this to court, they may lose. \*\* Why? The case seems cut-and-dried. The boy wasn’t using the word in a derogatory fashion. He was using it correctly to describe two women in a homosexual relationship. Robin ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/19 "2003-12-02T11:33:48Z")
And once again, I should write “I will not post before coffee” 100 times. Robin ---
**Author:** ![dav01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@dav01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dav01)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2003, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445/20 "2003-12-02T11:43:32Z")
Isn’t anyone concerned that the kid is seven and can’t spell worth a damn? Out of eight words, he spelled three correctly. And one of those words was “I”. Seems the school isn’t performing up to standards in readin’, writin’, and 'rithmetic either. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcus-has-two-mommies-or-i-will-never-use-the-word-gay-in-school-again/216445.md?page=2)