Court Orders 'Ex-Gay' Mom Not To Preach Homophobia To Daughter
(Denver, Colorado) A Denver woman is battling with her former partner over the religious education of their daughter. The eight year old was adopted by Cheryl Clark as an infant. Her then partner, Elsey McLeod, was given joint parenting rights.
When Clark, a Denver doctor, converted to Christianity she declared herself to be straight and ended the relationship with McLeod.
In April she was awarded sole custody of the child with her ex-partner being granted visitation rights. But Denver District Judge John Coughlin in awarding custody ordered Clark to prevent the child from receiving any "homophobic" religious teachings.
Coughlin's provision said Clark is to "make sure that there is nothing in the religious upbringing or teaching that the minor child is exposed to that can be considered homophobic."
Clark this week launched an appeal of the provision, with the help of Liberty Counsel. The Christian conservative law firm based in Orlando, Fla is involved in a number of anti-gay lawsuits around the country.
Clark and her lawyers maintain the order is a violation of her religious freedom guarantees under the Constitution.
"We believe it sets a dangerous trend to undermine the rights of parents and religious freedom," said Matthew Staver, president of Liberty Counsel.
In court papers Staver claims that McLeod never should have been granted partial custody or visitation rights.
The Colorado Court of Appeals is expected to hear oral arguments in early 2004.
Here is the link.
(Denver, Colorado) A Denver woman is battling with her former partner over the religious education of their daughter. The eight year old was adopted by Cheryl Clark as an infant. Her then partner, Elsey McLeod, was given joint parenting rights.
When Clark, a Denver doctor, converted to Christianity she declared herself to be straight and ended the relationship with McLeod.
In April she was awarded sole custody of the child with her ex-partner being granted visitation rights. But Denver District Judge John Coughlin in awarding custody ordered Clark to prevent the child from receiving any "homophobic" religious teachings.
Coughlin's provision said Clark is to "make sure that there is nothing in the religious upbringing or teaching that the minor child is exposed to that can be considered homophobic."
Clark this week launched an appeal of the provision, with the help of Liberty Counsel. The Christian conservative law firm based in Orlando, Fla is involved in a number of anti-gay lawsuits around the country.
Clark and her lawyers maintain the order is a violation of her religious freedom guarantees under the Constitution.
"We believe it sets a dangerous trend to undermine the rights of parents and religious freedom," said Matthew Staver, president of Liberty Counsel.
In court papers Staver claims that McLeod never should have been granted partial custody or visitation rights.
The Colorado Court of Appeals is expected to hear oral arguments in early 2004.
Here is the link.
