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No Trial For Mass. Dad In Gay Book Flap


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No Trial For Mass. Dad In Gay Book Flap

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: October 20, 2005 11:00 am ET

(Boston, Massachusetts) Charges have been dropped against a Lexington, Massachusetts man who allegedly caused a disturbance at his son's school over the use of a gay book.

A trial was to have begun Thursday for David Parker, 42, on criminal trespassing charges. Late Wednesday Parker and the prosecutors' office reached a settlement. Details of the settlement have not been made public, but the Boston Globe reports that under the agreement Parker does not admit guilt.

Parker became enraged last April when he discovered his six-year old son had brought home the book "Who's in a Family.' (story)

The book by Robert Skutch, and illustrated by Laura Nienhaus is aimed at children between three and seven. It catalogues a variety of multicultural contemporary family units, including those with single parents, lesbian and gay parents, mixed-race couples, grandparents and divorced parents.

But, it was the inclusion of same-sex parents that angered Parker. He confronted officials at the Joseph Estabrook School.

Parker, who is a member of the Article 8 Alliance, an organization fighting same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, demanded that the book be removed from the school library and that his son be pulled from discussions about homosexuality whether they are in planned lessons or arise spontaneously.

Lexington Schools Superintendent Bill Hurley rejected both demands.

When Parker refused to leave the meeting police were called and he was charged with trespassing.

Parker's lawyer, Martha Coakley, said the agreement reached with the Middlesex District Attorney does not end the dispute with the school district over the use of gay books.

©365Gay.com 2005

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