Brokeback Mountain Viewing Sparks Lawsuit Against Chicago Board of Education
Jessica Turner is twelve years old. Jessica’s grandparents, Kenneth and LaVerne Richardson, claim the preteen suffered psychological distress after viewing the 2005 film “Brokeback Mountain” in her 8th grade class at Ashburn Community Elementary School last year and are suing the Chicago Board of Education for $500,000 in damages.
“Brokeback Mountain” is the story of two cowboys who conceal their homosexual affair over the course of decades.
The lawsuit also names Ashburn Principal Jewel Diaz and a substitute teacher, referred to as “Ms. Buford.”
The substitute asked a student to shut the classroom door at the West Side school, saying: “What happens in Ms. Buford’s class stays in Ms. Buford’s class,” according to the lawsuit.
“It is very important to me that my children not be exposed to this,” said Kenneth Richardson, Jessica’s guardian. “The teacher knew she was not supposed to do this.”
Grandpa complained to school administrators about reading material that he said included curse words.
“This was the last straw,” he said. “I feel the lawsuit was necessary because of the warning I had already given them on the literature they were giving out to children to read. I told them it was against our faith.”
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On May 14th 2007, Lee wrote:
If it’s an R-rated movie (which it is), showing it to 12 years old children is a form of endangerment actionable under Illinois (and other states’) law. The specific content of the film isn’t even relevant, although it makes for the greater media play. Legally, any R-rated film found to psychologically impact an unconsenting minor in a school setting to whom it is shown can be grounds for this type of action against the school district and the individually responsible parties. For anyone, gay or otherwise, to suggest this school or the perpetrators should be given a pass demonstrates a willingness to see children harmed for ideological gain.