Teacher Sued For Showing "Brokeback Mountain" in Chicago Public Schools

The Chicago Tribune reports:

A substitute teacher who showed an R-rated movie to 8th graders about two gay cowboys told students, "What happens in Ms. Buford's class stays in Ms. Buford's class," according to a lawsuit filed Friday.

A 12-year-old girl and her family filed the suit against the Chicago Board of Education after the teacher showed "Brokeback Mountain" to students at Ashburn

The student, Jessica Turner, said she suffered psychological distress after watching the movie, according to the suit. The movie, which stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as two cowboys who fall in love, includes love scenes between the two men and between the men and their wives.

"It is very important to me that my children not be exposed to this," said Turner's grandfather and guardian, Kenneth Richardson, by phone Saturday. "The teacher knew she was not supposed to do this. ... It's like I told the principal, she should have better control over her teachers."

The lawsuit, which seeks $500,000 in damages, was filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The suit also names Ashburn Principal Jewel Diaz and the substitute teacher, known only in the complaint as Ms. Buford.

Great moments in public education.