"Brokeback" School Viewing Draws Lawsuit

Suit Claims 12-Year-Old Suffered Psychological Distress After Watching R-Rated Film In Class

(CBS/AP)  A girl and her grandparents have sued the Chicago Board of Education, alleging that a substitute teacher showed the R-rated film "Brokeback Mountain" in class.

The lawsuit claims that Jessica Turner, 12, suffered psychological distress after viewing the movie in her class at Ashburn Community Elementary School last year.

According to the lawsuit, the substitute teacher in Turner's eighth-grade class last May was Mary Buford, the Chicago Tribune reported. Allegedly, Buford told the class, "What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class" and had a student close the door, the newspaper reported.

The film, which won three Oscars, depicts two cowboys who conceal their homosexual affair.

Turner and her grandparents, Kenneth and LaVerne Richardson, are seeking around $500,000 in damages.

"It is very important to me that my children not be exposed to this," said Kenneth Richardson, Turner's guardian. "The teacher knew she was not supposed to do this."

According to the lawsuit filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court, the video was shown without permission from the students' parents and guardians. Richardson had previously complained to school officials about reading material he said contained 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."

Richardson said his granddaughter was traumatized after watching the film, telling him that "They made me watch this bad movie." He went to the school to speak to Buford, Richardson told the Tribune, but she refused to do so without her union representative.

Messages left over the weekend with school district officials were not immediately returned.

[smb221]

That is the most retarded article.

[itgranny]

This grandfather's got a point in this case. Why was this R movie being shown to a class of 12 year olds? It's not the sexuality of it, i would have been angry if it were Saving Private Ryan too. Somebody wasn't using his/her head.

[phoenix1218]

Well they never should have shown any movie that has a certain rating without parental/guardian permission first. If they show the movie and a particualr person does not want to view it because 1) moral issues or 2) parent or guardian will not allow it they should be able to go to another room for the duration of the movie. This child and her Grandparents have every right to do what they are doing BUT I do not thin kthey should receive compensation outside of lawyers and court fees, along with that they should have an apology from the teacher and school system with the promise it will not happen again.

[matisyahu3]

Phsychological Distress?! HAHAHAHA I saw the article title and I almost cried from laughing too hard. Somebody needs to tell this girl and her guardians that they better hope she never walks into a gay bar or see two guys kissing because she just might freak out and kill herself...WHAT A JOKE

[ecuadoriana]

I'd be curious as to how many movies this child has watched in her life that involved car crashes, explosions, guns, stabbings, kidnappings, murders. Even disney movies are chock full of violence, racist & s-xist themes. All that is way more dangerous. I can't believe that this child- in Chicago!- has been completely shielded from unsavory images for 12 whole years. I could bet that the family has at least 1 computer & 1 TV with cable in their house.

I'm not condoning that an R rated movie was shown in school. That should have never hapened in the first place. A substitute teacher is supposed to follow the daily lesson plan that is left by the teacher- not babysit the kids with a movie. The teacher should be banned from subbing & perhaps not be allowed to work with children again, because no R rated, s*xu-lly suggestive film should be shown to kids.

I just don't believe that she "suffered psychological distress" enough to warrent a lawsuit.

[itwasntme000]

That teacher should never be allowed to be near children ever again. I don't even want to know what possesed ms. moron to play probably the worst movie ever made. I hope she looses everything she has over this. car,house, everything.

[hypnotoad72]

The movie is rated R. That means, no one under 17 without a parent or guardian's approval and presence.

Was even a permission slip signed?

And it's a fictitious movie as well. Schools need to be about facts. Not agendas. Period.

[bks59]

It's about the money!

[bks59]

Otherwise file a compliant in court about contributing to the deliquency of a minor,showing an R rated film.

[xpres50]

I own a video rental store and we do not rent R rated movies to children under 18 without the parents consent. This teacher did not use good judgement in showing this film to a child left in her care. Even many adults choose not to view this type of film. A classroom does not afford this choice to a child. This teacher should definetly be made to answer for her actions and motives.

[p-syrus]

Curious that "Romeo and Juliet", a tale of murder & dual suicide involving two illicit teenage lovers, is standard shakespearian intro-fare for pre-teens, but "Brokeback Mountain", a story of conflicted love with references to homophobia is viewed as psychologically traumatizing for the same age-group.

But then whoever said "humans are rational"? :-)

It is a pity that the school district is going to wind-up with some significant unanticipated expenses in the budget.

[glb1969]

More upset wacko religious morons. Sure, this was an R rated movie, but there is no law stating citizens under the age of 18 cannot see r rated movies, it is all voluntarily enforced. This ridiculous nuisance suit won't get past the initial stages.

[perception5]

If we had to guess it was probably another intolerant liberal who wants to cram their values down all Americans throat........thus contaminating more people......really sad

[processor2]

Liberals will defend showing a movie (about a couple of homos) to a group of 12 year-olds, under the excuse of "academic freedom".

But if the movie had been about Jesus Christ, howls of protest and censorship would be heard from the very same left-wingers.

...

[processor2]

Liberals will defend showing a movie (about a couple of homos) to a group of 12 year-olds, under the excuse of "academic freedom".

But if the movie had been about Jesus Christ, howls of protest and censorship would be heard from the very same left-wingers.

...

[susanhelit]

Homosexual themes aren't the problem, but showing an R rated movie to a class without permission slips or some coursework related reason - that's wrong.

I don't see it as grounds for any lawsuit though - and Brokeback hardly promotes homosexuality - they're shown as being miserable and ruining a good life because of their attraction to each other. It's a good movie that doesn't show any side as having an easy simple answer.

[stezzer]

Allegedly, Buford told the class, "What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class".

If true, that's creepy.

[hopesurvives]

Teacher Unions wonder why parents want to pull their children out of public school, it is teachers like this that give public schools a bad name.

[processor2]

TYPICAL

Wacko liberals will defend showing a movie (about a couple of ****'s) to a group of 12 year-olds, under the excuse of "academic freedom".

But if the movie had been about Jesus Christ, howls of protest and censorship would be heard from the very same Wacko left-wingers.

...

TYPICAL

[processor2]

TYPICAL

Wacko liberals will defend showing a movie (about a couple of ****'s) to a group of 12 year-olds, under the excuse of "academic freedom".

But if the movie had been about Jesus Christ, howls of protest and censorship would be heard from the very same Wacko left-wingers.

...

TYPICAL

[processor2]

TYPICAL

Wacko liberals will defend showing a movie (about a couple of ****'s) to a group of 12 year-olds, under the excuse of "academic freedom".

But if the movie had been about Jesus Christ, howls of protest and censorship would be heard from the very same Wacko left-wingers.

...

TYPICAL

[processor2]

TYPICAL

Wacko liberals will defend showing a movie (about a couple of ****'s) to a group of 12 year-olds, under the excuse of "academic freedom".

But if the movie had been about Jesus Christ, howls of protest and censorship would be heard from the very same Wacko left-wingers.

...

TYPICAL

[jimibear]

While I think the idea of a lawsuit is outrageous, I do think that it was inappropriate for a teacher to show an R-rated movie (regardless of content) to students without the parents permission. Many parents would not allow their 12-year-old to watch an R-rated film, and the school or teacher has no right to make that decision for them.

When I was at school, we watched "Apocalypse Now" in English class when we were studying Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness", on which the book is based. We had to bring in a signed slip saying our parents ok'd it. I think that would have been appopriate here.

Obviously, the teacher knew some people would not approve of the movie, based on her comments. She should have shown better judgment. But no one needs to be getting money here; that's just stupid and greedy.

[jimibear]

Processor2, I think you are nasty and bigoted. Is it really necessary to throw around childishly homophobic insults to make your point?

I think if "The Passion of the Christ" (also rated R) had been shown, with its graphic and very disturbing scenes of torture, many parents would have had an issue with that. It's not what the subject matter was that is the issue; it's that minors were shown material which has been rated as inappropriate for their level of maturity, without the parents being consulted first.

The key word is "minors". As they are not yet adults, it is up to their parents what they do or do not get to see.

[lucklady79]

Not be exposed to what? Humanity. Grow up people. Stop being biggots and why dont these people worry about what their 12 year old is really doing after school.

[bks59]

Otherwise file a compliant in court about contributing to the deliquency of a minor,showing an R rated film.

[jimibear]

"And it's a fictitious movie as well. Schools need to be about facts. Not agendas. Period.
Posted by hypnotoad72 at 01:13 PM : May 14, 2007
+ report abuse"

I was with you up until that point. According to your rationale there, should we not have kids study literature any more, because it's "fictitious writing"?

And as for perception5 with the "unholy ****" stuff; well, with your many other flaws and foibles, I should have guessed you were a homophobe as well. I don't imagine you've ever seen the movie, but you feel free to pass judgment, right?

Ironically, that's what many people who bill themselves as Christians do. Whenever I here the words, "Well, I'm a Christian, so I think ..." I want to plug my ears and run, because something dumb and bigoted is almost sure to follow.

Christianity was never intended by Christ as a substitute for thought, although churches often use it that way.

[jimibear]

"Not be exposed to what? Humanity. Grow up people. Stop being biggots and why dont these people worry about what their 12 year old is really doing after school.
Posted by LuckLady79 at 01:56 PM : May 14, 2007
+ report abuse"

LuckyLady79, the issue is that when a child is a minor, it is the parents' right to decide what they will be exposed to. Kids don't get to make that choice for themselves until they are 18 (or 17 in the case of an R-rated movie.)

It sounds like the people suing are doing so because of the content of the movie, but the issue really is that an R-rated movie was shown to 12-year-olds, not what particular movie it was.

[passerby2]

yesterday i saw "Happy Feet", the movie about the penguin. What was the point of that movie? They started out singing and it ended with them tap dancing. Huh?

[jimibear]

"yesterday i saw "Happy Feet", the movie about the penguin. What was the point of that movie? They started out singing and it ended with them tap dancing. Huh?
Posted by passerby2 at 02:03 PM : May 14, 2007
+ report abuse"

It's a metaphor for straight children being perverted into a homosexual lifestyle by g*a*y*s, Passerby.

They tap dance because they are light in their loafers, you see. Thus, "Happy Feet".

Those "homos" are a dangerous bunch, what with their insidious hidden messages of tolerance, good taste in design and clothing, personal hygiene and all.

What we need are more smelly, none-too-bright, emotionally stunted bigots who think a John Deere baseball cap is formal wear. Those are real American men, right there. ;-)

[ezillyamused]

yesterday i saw "Happy Feet", the movie about the penguin. What was the point of that movie? They started out singing and it ended with them tap dancing. Huh?
Posted by passerby2 at 02:03 PM : May 14, 2007


They ended up dancing because one of the baby penguin's couldn't sing, he had a vocal cord issue, so another little penguin suggested they start tapping as a form of communication instead, sorta penguin sign language.

[ezillyamused]

I have chosen not to see this film because of it's content, but if someone at my childrens school would have shown that to them, I would have thrown a fit!
How dare she force these very impressionable young people to watch this movie. Shame on her!
It just makes me wonder what kind of morals this "teacher" has.

[passerby2]

thanks for the clarification jimibear, i get lost in such thought provoking, propaganda films. here, i thought it was the other way around, all the singing penguins were gay and in comes a straight tap dancing penguin to persuade them otherwise.

[kailo6]

processor2

1. I am about as far left as a person can get and I am appalled that this teacher showed that movie to kids. No movie with that much sexual content should be shown to kids. It is also a heartbreaking movie, and too upsetting and sad for kids to see.

2. It's perfectly clear that this teacher was a nut. I know it's convenient for you to think that liberals and progressives have no morality, because it's easier than hearing what others who disagree with you might have to say. But being simple-minded about groups who disagree with you continues the violence of human history.

3. Who are you calling wacko -- how weird is it to obsessively post your message over and over again? Once was too much. Way to undermine your own weird point, dude.

[glb1969]

More upset wacko religious morons. Sure, this was an R rated movie, but there is no law stating citizens under the age of 18 cannot see r rated movies, it is all voluntarily enforced. This ridiculous nuisance suit won't get past the initial stages.

[kpokey]

Unless you are a bigot, I don't think the uproar here should be specifically the movie "Brokeback Mountain", but rather showing any R rated movie to 12 year olds, and in school no less. That is really the problem here.

[randalds]

If the school should have shown it or not can be debated, but the concept that this 12 year old suffered "Psychological distress" from seeing it is absurd! I can promise you that the only people who had the "distress" were the parents and then they whipped their child up into believing they'd suffered too! This is a frivolous lawsuit that should be thrown out.

[kgdbtx-2009]

IT FIGURES that a liberal teacher from a liberal state would decide that this movie is appropriate to show 12 year olds.....more trying to force that lifestyle down our throats, as if Hollywood needed any more help doing that.....

[openminded3]

Please! Soudns to me like the parents are looking for a lawsuit!! Get over it I am sure this child sees more damaging images on the street and in todays cartoon's.

[jimibear]

"I have chosen not to see this film because of it's content, but if someone at my childrens school would have shown that to them, I would have thrown a fit!
How dare she force these very impressionable young people to watch this movie. Shame on her!
It just makes me wonder what kind of morals this "teacher" has.
Posted by ezillyamused at 02:18 PM : May 14, 2007
+ report abuse"

Hey EZ -

I find myself in slight disagreement with you for a change ... if you haven't seen the movie, how can you be sure that it's content is inappropriate for impressionable minds? I have seen it, and I would tend to agree; but not for the reason that it's about ***, but that it is a heartbreakingly sad movie about intolerance and repression (both of one's own feelings and by others) and as such deals in some very mature emotional (not physical, which is minimal) themes that I think kids would have a hard time with.

I think any parent would have a right to pitch a fit if a teacher showed an R-rated movie without permission, for sure. But to judge something you haven't seen as inappriate for anyone is a little premature, I think.

[liebchen21]

How appalling! It's not enough that adults have this *** rubbed in our faces constantly, but now our children's too?? I knew what the supposed content of the movie was when I rented it, and still I was so disgusted by the time I reached the "tent" scene, I turned it off. I hope they win their settlement on principle, and teach society that children should have a choice in what they are taught, and therefore should not be forced to be subjected to such filth.

[xfredmenzies]

It was a stupid movie. Grandpa would be happy to know that one of the homosexual characters gets beaten to death at the end.

[hopesurvives]

Teacher Unions wonder why parents want to pull their children out of public school, it is teachers like this that give public schools a bad name.

[itwasntme000]

That teacher should never be allowed to be near children ever again. I don't even want to know what possesed ms. moron to play probably the worst movie ever made. I hope she looses everything she has over this. car,house, everything.

[bobgee_1999]

I hope this 12-year old never sees "Rambo", she could be scarred for life! What a load.

The grandfather sounds like a self-important sphincter, "This was the last straw. 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 can't help but wonder what literature doesn't meet with his approval.

The teacher sounds like an preening idiot, speaking of herself in the 3rd person, "What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class."

How a 12-year old could stay awake during this piece of tripe is beyond me, but I rather doubt any of them were seduced by the charms of creeping buggery. It's things like this movie and people who obsess over it that make the whole enterprise of in-out, in-out tedious.

[bizzzz-2009]

Jimibear-
You are the most absurd person on this message board. So a guy nailing another guy, groaning in a tent is (physical) content that is of minimal concern to a parent? It's actually the emotional content that is inappropriate for kids? You know, Dorothy having to leave her friends at the end of Wizard of Oz is emotional.
I didn't see the Brokeback, but I did see that scene. Your nuts. How many kids do you have again?

[lhwrites]

I'm as liberal as they come, however, no school should be showing children (yes, 12 years olds are children) movies depicting people having ***. I don't buy the argument that kids see worse on TV. I monitor what my kid watches on TV and at the movies. This is an important developmental age for children and this kind of content can be confusing and upsetting. I don't blame the guardians at all for suing. The teacher was out of line.

[remnant1947]

What a stupid disrespectful teacher to show a 12 year old 'Brokeback mountain'!
This is the high of irresponsibility AND A LACK OF STRENGTH IN US ... that we Americans have let these 'morons' take over teaching morales to OUR children ..
That is why this *** IN TV AND movies is rampant
Go for broke!
The GRANDPARENTS SHOULD ask for 10 million dollars .. and make these people STOP POLLUTING the young !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND FOR THE NUT WHO THINKS THIS IS A 'CHRISTIAN THING' ..

"NO JERK ...IT IS A MORAL THING ..."

MY BROTHER (WHO IS) AN ATHEIST WOULD AGREE WITH ME ... THE CHRISTIAN !!!
DUMB STUPID PEOPLE ..

[bizzzz-2009]

Jimibear-
You are the most absurd person on this message board. So a guy n@iling another guy, groaning in a tent is (physical) content that is of minimal concern to a parent? It's the emotional content that is inappropriate for kids? You know, Dorothy having to leave her friends at the end of Wizard of Oz is emotional.
I didn't see Brokeback, but I did see that scene. Your nuts. How many kids do you have again?

[mountainzen]

I hope Kenneth Richardson uses the money for some good purpose, like giving it to charity, or helping the school district hire smarter teachers if he wins. I see a real problem with teachers showing R-rated movies without parental permission.