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Uploaded: Friday, February 22, 2013, 10:32 AM
Fake weddings a 'success'
MVHS Queer-Straight Alliance celebrates diversity, inclusiveness with 'mock wedding'
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by Nick Veronin
Mountain View Voice Staff
Supporters of Mountain View High School's Queer-Straight Alliance have responded in force to objections raised by a handful of parents who took issue with the club's planned Valentine's Day event.
The "Mock Wedding" event held Valentine's Day in the school's quad, drew the ire of at least three parents, who complained to the board of trustees and administration of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District.
The three parents who raised concerns about the event -- Jody Hulse, Dan Racine and Melanee Nelson -- each said they felt that the district was effectively endorsing same-sex marriage by allowing the club to hold the mock wedding in the school commons. Nelson, asked whether any club openly opposed to same-sex marriage had been offered equal time to share that viewpoint.
Despite these complaints, the club went forward with the event on Feb. 14, and saw a great turnout, according to Anna Livia Chen, president of the Queer-Strait Alliance club at MVHS.
The event was promoted in the school's daily bulletin as a way to celebrate the belief that "love is love, regardless of gender." According to Chen, students were able to step up in front of the large crowd, declare their love, kinship or affection for one another, and have their photos taken to commemorate the occasion.
"We have a a lot of support, both as a club in general and for this event specifically," Chen said. "I heard nothing but good feedback. And some people said it was their favorite event we've ever done. It was definitely a success in our eyes."
Responding to the parents' concerns, Chen said that the event wasn't about "stepping up on a soapbox and telling people what we believe. It was just about having fun and being inclusive."
According to Shannon Casey, the mother of two children who attend local schools, she was encouraged to hear about the event. As a lesbian, Casey said it is important that the community not only tolerate the LGBT community but celebrate it as well.
Being inclusive, she said, is even more important for younger people. Adolescence can be very hard on those who feel they don't belong with the in-crowd, she said. "Any time we speak out about our truth it supports those around us that don't feel so confident."
Chen said the mock wedding had such a high turnout, that she, in her role as fake marriage officiator, was not able to get to everyone who wanted to get fake married. More than 40 couples -- both same sex and opposite sex -- participated, and many more were unable to because of time constraints, she said. Plenty more watched the ceremonies in support.
Chen, who identifies as queer, was raised by a same sex couple. Chen said she "thinks it's pretty crazy" that people get so upset over the idea of same-sex marriage. "In the end, love is love. I don't see why there is so much resistance against marriage equality."Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by Disgusting, a resident of the Monta Loma neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 2:31 pm One word sums it up: Disgusting
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Posted by mr squiggles, a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 2:36 pm wow, a whole 3 parents. it's not news, it's a tempest in teapot.
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Posted by vfree, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 2:38 pm I didn't see the names of the parents, who's children were married in the quad. I'm sure they feel slighted by the press.
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Posted by Funny, a resident of the Jackson Park neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:02 pm The only reason I'm glad this is getting press is that it seems to really chap the hides of some of the bigoted cranks among us. Whatever, yah, lets all get up in arms about this. Too funny. Some people cannot help but hate I guess. Better you than me. Get your heart checked, anger takes its toll.
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Posted by Oen, a resident of the Cuernavaca neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:04 pm There's no real evidence that it was a success, just a queer raised by a same-sex couple saying so and another lesbian chipping in. Most straight parents are too afraid to speak out about it because that will get them branded as conservative. Meanwhile a bunch of children are exposed to this disgusting behavior while the school board and administration look on also too afraid to take any real action. That's how we all live in gay America.
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Posted by M Nelson, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:09 pm I am so dissapointed that this reporter continues to twist and put words in peoples mouths. What was said by the parents and what he reports are so far apart. I respectfully request that the Mountain View Voice assigns another reporter to any future follow up of any stories related to the concerns addresssed by parents during the school board meetings.
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Posted by Gay for Oen, a resident of the Waverly Park neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:15 pm Why do bigots always like to pretend that speak for a large group who "is just too afraid to speak out"
Oen, you know what they say about people who are a bit too opposed to people being gay. Stay out of those truck stops you macho macho man.
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Posted by James, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 3:41 pm One great thing about growing up here in the bay area in the 70's/80's was the true melting pot feel of the area - growing up with people from all walks of life, without anyone being excluded from any activities. Unfortunately, as the area has gained popularity over the years, it seems to have invited bigots to the area as well. I can't see how anyone can have an issue with this. This is the same as people having issues with people of mixed races being married. People are born the way they are born and there's no way around it. If YOU have an issue with it, that's your problem, not their problem. There are plenty of places in the country where, unfortunately, bigotry is still an accepted behavior. The bay area isn't one of them. Feel free to move if you don't like it.
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Posted by glad, a resident of the Cuernavaca neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 4:11 pm glad those kids are waking up and building a future w/ more inclusion and less bigotry and hate.
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Posted by George, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 4:13 pm Egads....Kool Aid is so delicious
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Posted by Changed, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 4:49 pm Yes glad, I totally agree. The social shift is well on its way and with future generations showing to be less homophobic than their parents generation, it will only gain momentum, something it has a hell of a lot of now anyways. There were days when blacks and whites couldn't get married either. One day we'll say "There were days two men couldn't marry each other". Oh, and the world will not end when that happens, but small minded people will still have to deal with THIER issues. Society will have passed them by then. It'll be their problem, not ours.
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Posted by Nick V, Mountain View Voice Staff Writer, on Feb 22, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Nick V is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Online In response to the comment by M Nelson:
Anyone interested in hearing exactly what was said by the three parents who objected to the mock wedding (and to hear broader concerns expressed over the "Sex and Relationships article that appeared in the MVHS Oracle) can listen to a recording of the Feb. 11 board meeting here:
Web Link
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Posted by letsgetreal, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 5:52 pm I agree with everything that James from North Whisman said. So tired of small minded (scared) people.
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Posted by Inez, a resident of the Martens-Carmelita neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 6:03 pm And now we can all run naked in the streets too! I love Mountain View! (I just would never raise children here.)
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Posted by flat-earth-is-flat, a resident of the Shoreline West neighborhood, on Feb 22, 2013 at 6:55 pm You think this is bad? I heard rumors that the next event will mock marry people who insist that the Earth is round. Expect God and lightning to be in attendance!
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