Anti-gay dad becomes "celebrity" in Lexington, MA

David Parker, the guy who got angry that his kids had to read a sweet, gay-positive children's book in a Massachusetts school (see my cartoon on the subject, "Conservative Children's Classics") has made a really big mess ("In Lexington, fear surrounds players in flap over gay teachings"):

The anxiety and suspicion that has gripped this progressive town over the past year shows the consequences for a community when a national political issue hits home. On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the only state to legalize gay marriage, in a nation with a president who wants to ban same-sex unions.

In Lexington, a debate over whether to mention gay marriage in schools divided parents, and a playground fight escalated the tension. Parker's 7-year-old son was punched on May 17 by another first-grader at Estabrook Elementary School as other children watched. A conservative group issued a press release almost a month later , saying students attacked the boy because of his father's protests over storybooks depicting gay relationships. School officials said students squabbled over where students would sit at lunch.

``It's made life miserable for everybody," said Jill French , whose child is a classmate of Parker's son. ``This has all been blown way out of proportion."

Paul Ash , 56, the new superintendent of schools, said news of the playground fight posted on blogs intensified the attacks. The conservative group's press release accused school officials and other adults of inciting students to fight, and claimed the spat was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the legalization of gay marriage. Then, a blogger posted Ash's phone numbers and e-mail address.

Right, the school principal told little kids to hit each other. RIGHT. Of course. That's exactly what a pro-gay principal would do, let me tell you!

P.S. Yes, I am feeling a bit better, though still under the weather. But I just had to share that.