Maryland Marriage Alliance’s new ad suggests Question 6 would force schools to teach same-sex marriage. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The group opposed to a Maryland law extending marriage rights to same-sex couples began airing Thursday a new television ad that suggests parents would lose rights if Question 6 passes.

“If gay marriage happens here, schools could teach boys can marry boys,” says the Maryland Marriage Alliance ad.

The ad features David and Tania Parker, who unsuccessfully sued their son’s Lexington, Mass., school after he brought home a book that features two men who get married. David Parker claims he was arrested in 2005 because he demanded his son’s teachers not expose him to what court documents describe “as any further discussions of homosexuality.” A local newspaper reported police arrested and charged him with criminal trespassing after he refused to leave his son’s suburban Boston school.

“If Question 6 passes, same-sex marriage could be taught in local Maryland schools, just as it was in Massachusetts,” says Tania Parker in the Maryland Marriage Alliance ad. “Don’t make the same mistake and think that gay marriage won’t affect you.”

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins played a video that features the Parkers during an anti-Question 6 gathering at New Harvest Ministries in Baltimore on Oct. 21. Opponents of marriage rights for same-sex couples in Maine and in other states have previously argued nuptials for gays and lesbians would expose children to homosexuality in the classroom without their parents’ consent.

“Children learn values from their parents at home, and Question 6 doesn’t change that,” said Josh Levin, campaign manager for Marylanders for Marriage Equality.

The Maryland Marriage Alliance released their latest ad on the same day President Obama endorsed Question 6 and same-sex marriage ballot initiatives in Maine and Washington. He also spoke out against a proposed state constitutional amendment in Minnesota that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.

Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings, who represents Baltimore City, told the Washington Blade earlier this week he plans to vote for Question 6.

“Parents, teachers and local school districts determine the public school curriculum in Maryland,” said Levin. “That, too will, never change. The ad is false and meant to scare voters.”