Here's what I had to say to the Post:
"Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in the episode," Spellings wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to Pat Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of PBS.
Dear Secretary Spellings,
Your decision to ban this episode speaks volumes to me:
1) You are promoting President Bush's "compassionate conservativism"/Christian "morality," which includes blatant homophobia and tyrannical attacks against gay people.
2) You don't believe that families and parents can make their own decisions about what is best for their children. Last I checked, you can turn off the tv.
3) You are in complete denial over the fact that there are "alternative" family structures in this country, in this world, and that those family structures are worthy of note, recognition, representation, and voice. There are myriad such families in your own DC backyard.
Three words - Shame on you. You are in the field of public education, which in my humble opinion, is about openness, curiosity, learning (including learning about difference as well as learning about our common humanity). Your job is to educate all families, children, communities - equally, responsibly, fairly, justly, professionally. If you are unable to do so, then leave your post - at the very least, try not to wear your homophobia and agenda so loudly on your sleeve.
A concerned educator and PBS sponsor,
Mary F, Portland, Oregon
