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Jan 31, 2007 12:23 am US/Eastern
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Parents Outraged By 'Family' Video Presentation
by Todd Quinones
MARLTON, N.J. (CBS 3) ―
There is a school video controversy in South Jersey over a film featuring same-sex couples.
The video was shown to a group of 3rd graders in the Evesham Township School District and on Tuesday, district officials got an earful from parents.
When it comes to sexuality, many parents feel that they should be able to teach their own children on their own time, in their own way.
However, many parents feel that the school district violated that principal when it played the controversial video at J. Howard Van Zant School without first notifying them.
The Evesham Township School District says the video is meant to teach tolerance to the 3rd graders.
But many parents felt the gay content was just too much for their children.
"Treat others as you would want to be treated, you don't have to teach all these horrible concepts to them about the golden rule, do you," screamed one parent at the meeting.
The video titled, "That's A Family," depicts the lives of all kinds of different parents and families; divorced, bilingual, mixed race, parents who have adopted, and step-parents.
With the depiction of gay parents included, some parents feel they should have been notified before the video was shown to a group of eight-years-olds.
"When does Evesham Township or any school have a right to show to my grandchildren something I believe to be morally wrong," wondered a frustrated relative of one of the students.
On the other hand, several parents said the message of tolerance is needed.
"You have to acknowledge that these different kinds of families exist," said parent Dara Derion.
The video was only shown one time to the 3rd graders. In the meantime, the school district will hold off showing it again until the school board meets in about two weeks.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)