Now I’ve had friends who thought the critically acclaimed movie, Brokeback Mountain, was a bit overrated, but I’ve never been told that it forced them to seek counseling….

The Chicago Board of Education is currently facing a lawsuit filed by the grandparents of a 12-year-old girl because of the movie that was shown in her class.  A substitute teacher for some reason felt it was okay to play the R-rated film without any permission from the students’ parents.

While I admit that the story about a gay relationship between two closeted cowboys is inappropriate material for an 8th grade classroom—especially given the nudity and sexual content—I’m having a hard time believing that anyone would suffer ‘psychological distress’ after watching it.  Nor do I believe that someone should deserve a $500,000 settlement for having to endure the film.  Now if the movie forced the girl to become a gay cowboy, then maybe we’d have a story.  Unfortunately, I can only imagine that other parents may soon jump on the financial bandwagon.

Note to the (Grand)Parents:  If you want to send a message, get the teacher fired.  Don’t cripple the school district (and the students overall) by forcing them to pay.  Also—teach your granddaughter how to walk out the nearest door the next time she doesn’t like something…