A couple's daughter was denied admittance to Parkview Christian Academy after the school learned the parents are in a same-sex marriage.
Brittney Ready said their daughter, Callie, was on a waiting list for the day care. After they received a call about an opening, the couple went to visit the day care to get their child enrolled.
"The director was super sweet and welcoming to us and Callie! We go to leave with paperwork in hand only for the administrator to call us into his office to let us know that he heard Stacey and I our 'mates' (first off we aren’t animals) and because of that they cannot welcome her (Callie)," said Brittney Ready in a Facebook post.
The couple said the man told them, "By-laws are By-laws. It's up to our discretion," and then told them they could not admit Callie due to the day care's Christian based faith.
"You know, sometimes you go through life alongside so many incredible people, loving people, supportive people, and Christian people that you forgot that people like that guy still exist. We still do not even know who the guy was, he did not introduce himself and did not shake our hands," said Stacey Ready.
After they were denied admittance, Brittney Ready posted, “So does that mean 'unwed parents' cannot enroll their kids? Does that mean 'divorced parents' cannot enroll their children there?"
The school's New Student Application posted on the school's website does include a question on the state of a parent or guardian's marital status, asking to circle whether they are married, divorced, separated or deceased. The form does not include a question on the parent or guardian's sexual orientation.
Brittney Ready goes on to say that their daughter was also born in a Christian hospital with a Christian doctor.
"Our child born in a Catholic hospital, at the hands of a Christian doctor, our innocent child of God. I am glad God was on our side and let the true colors show before my baby was subjected to their discriminating beliefs."
Ready says the day care should post that it does not accept children of same-sex marriages and that directors need to ask those questions upfront. The couple said it wasn't until after discussing the spot, start date, and deposit information that they were told that Callie would not be admitted.
A statement on enrollment on the Parkview Christian Academy's website reads:
Parkview Christian Academy will consider as prospective students all applicants for admission to the school who are academically and morally acceptable according to the standards set by the Board of Trustees. Parkview Christian Academy admits students of any race, color and nation of ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to students at the school. Parkview Christian Academy admits students who are non-Baptist, but all students and parents must be in agreement with the Statement of Faith.
This statement does not mention anything about discrimination based on sex or sexual orientation.
Stacey Ready said many people have said to them they should have expected such a response.
"But we have always been highly respected everywhere we go, including Catholic Churches and Church of Christ," said Stacey. "So his response was far from our expectations."
Brittney Ready ends the Facebook post with a Bible verse, citing Matthew 19:14, "But Jesus said, 'Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
The family said they have received several other acceptance offers for Callie from other day cares since their story has become known.
"We did have a director of a Baptist day care call, as well as other child care facilities, and say Callie would be welcomed as long as we wanted her in a Christian teaching environment," said Stacey.
