Imagine being an 11-year-old boy who has been moved around the foster care system. There is no forever home. There is no permanent family. I have no clue where you will live or who will care for you in the near future. Then, a caring couple takes you into their care and decides to love you forever.
What could one be more grateful for? Daniel, a fifth-grade student at Deerfield Elementary School in Cedar Hills, Utah, found himself in this scenario in 2019. On Thanksgiving, his replacement teacher asked little Daniel what he was thankful for, to which he replied that his two fathers eventually adopted him.
To the child’s surprise, the instructor responded, “That’s nothing to be thankful for,” before going on a rant in front of 30 kids, claiming that “two men living together is a sin” and “homosexuality is wrong.”
While the guy sat there mortified, three girls in the class spoke up for him, stepping out of the room to inform the principal. Shortly thereafter, the replacement was led out of the building. On her way out, she chastised Daniel, asserting that it was his responsibility to take her.
Daniel’s prospective parents included Louis van Amstel, a former dancer on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” In an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune, he stated, “What she did is absolutely ridiculous and horrible.” We were furious. It’s 2019, and this is a public school.
Daniel explained to his soon-to-be parents that he didn’t speak up in class since their final adoption hearing is on December 19, and he would rather not interfere. He had already had two failed adoptions and did not want it to happen again.
A spokeswoman for the Alpine School District did not elaborate on the matter but applauded the children who spoke up. “Fellow students saw a need and were able to assist,” David Stephenson stated. “It’s wonderful what happened as far as those girls coming forward.”
“We are concerned about any reports of inappropriate behavior and take these matters very seriously,” Kelly Services, the district’s substitute teacher contractor, said in a statement. “We conduct business with the greatest levels of integrity, quality, and professional competence. We’re looking into the problem.”
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The soon-to-be adoptive parents decorated their home with paper hearts that read “We love you” and “We support you” after the event made headlines. Thankfully, Kelly Services also fired the replacement instructor. And based on this stunning prom shot, Daniel appears to be doing well.
It was 2019. In 2025, the LGBT community faces intolerance once again, as the Supreme Court is certain to repeal the groundbreaking same-sex marriage statute. While it is frightening, not to mention discouraging, uniting against such heinous bigotry is the only way to prevent history from repeating again. Occasionally we grownups can learn from our children.