For having two lesbian "mothers," a five-year-old girl was kicked out of kindergarten at a school in San Diego, California, just before the start of the new school year.
A Daily Mail report said administrators of Mt. Erie Christian Academy called the "parents" of the girl—identified as Sheena and LaShaune—to inform them that their "daughter" would not be allowed in class because the school doesn't "condone homosexuality."
Sheena said she and her partner LaShaune, who works in the US Navy, were stunned by the ruling, questioning why the school only acted now when their daughter had already attended preschool and summer camps at the same school.
She said she was so overcome by emotions that she was forced to walk out of the meeting at the school, according to 10 News.
"I didn't finish the conversation with them [school officials] when they took us in the room because I just, I didn't want to look at them any longer," Sheena said.
She said she asked herself: "What does our family life have to do with anyone else? No one's going to be in danger."
A copy of the admission policies at Mt. Erie Christian Academy, as obtained by 10 News, says gay, lesbian or people of "alternative gender" are not welcome in the school.
It says the school can refuse admission to applicant or current pupils who are "living in, condoning or supporting sexual immorality; practicing homosexual lifestyle or alternative gender identity; promoting such practices; or otherwise having the inability to support the moral principles of the school."
Since Mt. Erie is a private school, it can bar admission of certain students based on its religious principles under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
Sheena and LaShaune happened to be Christians themselves, but this apparently was not considered by the school administrators in deciding to evict their daughter from school.
Sheena now wonders how she would be able to explain to her daughter why fellow Christians would not let her go to school.
"I want my baby to be safe when she grows up. I don't want her to ever have to be discriminated against because of her lifestyle," Sheena said.
The couple said they plan to file a lawsuit against the school.
Sheena and LaShaune drew sympathy from other parents who wrote comments on the school's Facebook page. Michael Bishop wrote: "They are a homophobic organization that chooses to exclude students that have gay parents."
However, others wondered why two lesbians would enrol their daughter to a Christian academy.
Michael Box defended the school's action, saying: "I support your right to stand on the principles and beliefs that Mt. Erie has been founded on for decades. A great Christian-based educational inspiring Institute."
