for a 14 year old watching a movie??? This girl has serious issues which has nothing to do with watching this movie. LOL

Parent Sues Chicago School Board Over Brokeback Mountain Showing

Posted: May 14, 2007 - 7:00 am ET

(Chicago, Illinois) A man who claims his granddaughter was traumatized over a screening of gay cowboy movie "Brokeback Mountain" has filed a half-million dollar lawsuit against the Chicago Board of Education.

The lawsuit, filed Friday, claims that a substitute teacher showed the movie to a grade 8 class last year.

Court papers obtained by the Chicago Tribune claim that student Jessica Turner, suffered psychological distress at seeing the film.

It is claimed the teacher told students at Ashburn Community Elementary School "What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class." She then is alleged to have told a student to close the classroom door and proceeded to show the movie.

"It is very important to me that my children not be exposed to this," Kenneth Richardson, Turner's grandfather and legal guardian told the Tribune.

"The teacher knew she was not supposed to do this."

The lawsuit claims that Turner underwent "psychological treatment and counseling" after seeing the movie.

When the Tribune asked for specifics about the treatment Richardson referred the paper to his lawyer.

A spokesperson for Chicago Public Schools declined to comment the paper said, saying he had not seen the lawsuit.

In 2005, Richardson complained to school administrators about reading material that he said included curse words.

"This was the last straw," he said. "I feel the lawsuit was necessary because of the warning I had already given them on the literature they were giving out to children to read. I told them it was against our faith."

"Brokeback Mountain," which won critical acclaim and three Oscars, including best director for Ang Lee, tells the story of a long term love affair between two cowboys who were married.

I've got no problem with schools showing movies on controversial subjects. But I think they should inform parents/guardians beforehand, and let them decide whether they want their kids to view that particular film.

I'm "anti-homosexuality" in the sense that I don't think it lines up with what I would consider to be orthodox religious values. But I saw the film, and really didn't feel it was objectionable. I think it was far more complex than just a "gay cowboy" story -- and it raised many good issues.

As such, I would have no problem with my son -- who is in eight grade -- seeing it and having a classroom discussion regarding it. He's a smart kid, I think he can handle a controversial subject without needing counseling.

I don't believe that school systems need to inform parents of what is being taught in school. If parents want a copy of curriculum, it's ALWAYS available in every public school system. In fact, it's illegal for it NOT to be available.

I dont think the teacher's comment ""What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class" was at all appropriate. In fact, it implies that something is wrong. And if she thought it was wrong, then it was wrong.

However, the idea that this child in the 8th grade need psychological treatment and counseling because of this particular film is patently absurd. I'm not saying that the grandparents didn't make her attend said counseling and therapy - I'm sure they did. But if that kid needed it, there is way more wrong with her than seeing this (fairly innocent) movie. I always thought it was a shame that this film became such a publicity machine. It was certainly not the first gay themed film - it wasn't NEARLY the first gay themed film with sexuality explored - yet, it became a real cause celebre. There isn't even anything about this movie that makes homosexuality ACCEPTABLE - it pretty much says if you're gay you'll end up murdered or isolated and lonely. There isn't one happy gay person in the entire film. I remember reading interviews with Ang Lee (the director) who made no bones about the film NOT being aimed at gay people, but rather women...he and others working on the film consider it a "chick flick" - which it is. I think the controversy had more to do with gay COWBOYS and less to do with gay PEOPLE.

This is weird. Another article that I read indicated that the child was 12 years old which is not the norm for 8th grade kids.

In any case, showing an R-rated movie to kids under 17 without their parent's permission is not acceptable in my opinion. Nor (I agree) was her remark. Not to mention that the remark was stupid -- did she really think a room full of 8th graders were going to keep her secret?

But I agree with Tristan that any kid who was that traumatized by Brokeback Mountain that she needed counseling then she must have had problems to begin with.

Tristan, this movie is rated R. This rating is for people 17+ years old. I do not think the intended audience is for 8th graders. It was a great movie, BUT the teacher showed poor judgement to show it to these students.

akuma gets it right

For once

Hoolay for you

Ah - I didn't realize it was an "R" movie.

You're right - it shouldn't have been shown at ALL. I don't think it should be an "R" rated movie - but if it was, it shouldn't have been shown in public school.

The racial jokes are not appreciated.

I had no idea it was so accurate and true-to-life