Marriage Equality Rhode Island

learn / Info for Families

Marriage Equality & Schools

Schools don’t teach “gay marriage.” Schools reflect the diversity of the student body and are compelled to create a safe, welcoming atmosphere for all of their students, including the children of same-sex parents.

Marriage equality has no bearing on what gets taught in school

The marriage equality bill here in Rhode Island contains no stipulations to affect public school curriculum — it addresses civil marriage rights alone. Whether or not it passes, teachers will continue to provide children with relevant, age-appropriate discussions of family and diversity, just as they do now.

Religious and cultural views are respected in this discussion

An anti-bias program in school is designed to create an atmosphere in which all students can learn, grow and succeed — inclusive of children of same-sex couples as well as people of faith or with different cultural values. Anti-bias programs do not attempt to change deeply held beliefs, but to ensure that the diversity of opinions in school communities do not create a negative climate of insults, violence and exclusion. All students are encouraged to feel proud of their religious and cultural heritage.

Children in school have same-sex parents

Whether or not same-sex couples have access to equal marriage, it doesn’t change the fact that there are children in Rhode Island schools right now who have same-sex parents. It would be wrong to prevent those children from discussing their families in the classroom or on the playground. And if a teacher sees the need to address different types of families as part of a lesson on diversity, or to diffuse a bullying situation, than he/she will do so — the legality of same-sex marriage has no affect on this reality.

All children have a right to feel safe and welcomed at school

LGBTQI teens and the children of same-sex parents have a right to feel safe at school. Many schools and teachers have already begun to realize this, with or without legal same-sex marriage.

It has nothing to do with sex education

Talking about different kinds of families, including same-sex headed families, is a lesson about the diversity of our community, the ongoing struggle for civil rights and addressing prejudice. None of these things involve talking about sex or human reproduction.

Schools don’t have to teach things that everyone agrees with

It’s not guaranteed for anyone that everything taught in school might reflect the things taught at home. The children of pacifists have to learn about World War II, the children of atheists have to learn about the influence of religion on western culture, and the children of vegetarians have to eat in the same lunchroom where hamburgers are served. Even though their parents might think that these things are wrong, it’s part of the school’s mission to prepare children for the diverse realities of modern society.

Sources

Some of the information on this page is based on the work of GLSEN, and the documentary film “It’s Elementary.”