Kindergartens to receive book portraying same-sex parent family

A children’s book addressing same-sex parent families published on Tuesday and set to be distributed to kindergartens and libraries across Santiago has raised alarms among parents and right-wing politicians.

“Nicolás Has Two Dads” (“Nicolás tiene dos papás”), written by the Movement for Integration and Homosexual Freedom (Movilh), tells the story of Nicolás, a little boy who lives with his two fathers. From sleepovers and trips to the stadium to reunions with his biological mother and explaining to his classmates why he has two dads, Nicolás leads readers through his everyday life.

Movilh president Rolando Jiménez spoke of the book’s educational value in an interview with The Santiago Times.

“The book is an educational instrument that, through the medium of the family, addresses themes related to the diversity of sexual orientations,” Jiménez said.

According to the LGBT rights organization, 10 percent of same-sex couples in Chile currently have custody of children, either from previous unions or as a result of artificial insemination. Out of this minority, 86 percent of lesbian mothers live with their children, while only 33 percent of gay fathers do.

Despite being backed by the Chilean government, “Nicolás Has Two Dads” is not compulsory reading material for kindergartens throughout the country. Schools, libraries and individuals who wish to have the book may request a copy from Movilh for free.

The initiative has nonetheless drawn criticism from parents who believe they should be consulted before the book is handed out to their children’s schools.

Right-wing parties also expressed their indignation on Thursday, with deputies from the Independent Democratic Union (UDI) calling on the National Board of Kindergartens (JUNJI) vice-president Desirée López de Maturana and Education Minister Nicolás Eyzaguirre to attend a session at the Senate’s Education Commission to respond to the controversy and clarify the nature of the initiative.

In a press release, Movilh accused the UDI and two politicians from the right-wing National Renewal (RN) of homophobia and of seeking political gains.

“These parliamentarians have argued the State wants to impose this book [on kindergartens]. In other words, they are distorting the reality of the situation because no one has said the book would be compulsory reading. It’s obvious they’re trying to take political advantage of this,” the statement reads.

According to Jiménez, as of Thursday afternoon, only 10 kindergartens had requested the book. The organization nonetheless estimates that 500 kindergartens will ultimately possess a copy. Some 30 municipal libraries have also ordered the book, while 1,500 individuals expressed their interest in obtaining one.

Movilh’s initiative was financed by the Dutch government and the EU.

EU Ambassador to Chile Rafael Dochao told The Santiago Times the EU’s support for “Nicolás Has Two Dads” is part of a larger plan to advance human rights in the country — among them the right to sexual diversity.

“This is something that is part of our constant dialogue with the Chilean government and civil society, therefore we consider it to be part of our political duty in this country,” he said.

The ambassador stressed, however, that the EU does not pretend to “give anyone a lesson,” but considers the issue to be one of “social co-responsibility.”

The release of “Nicolás Has Two Dads” comes weeks after a proposal to legalize same-sex civil union passed the Senate following fierce opposition.