7-year old girl denied swimming lessons because her father is a Republican

Swimming lesson stalled - 7-year old girl prevented from participating for her father's beliefs.

Yesterday, when 7-year old Emma Ferry and her mother went to attend Emma's first swimming lesson at a pool close to their California home, they were asked to leave immediately. When Emma's mother Diane asked why they were turned away, the swimming teacher told them that "Rob Ferry's (Emma's father) children, "did not belong there".

Rob Ferry is an active republican, and although he doesn't hold any official position within the party, he's a local, well known, right wing profile who is very active in social media. When Rob heard the news that Emma had been turned away from the swimming lesson because of his political views, he wrote a facebook post that has now been shared by hundreds. This is what he had to say:

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm not quite sure I'm still in the United States. Judging by what happened today, you'd think that if I stuck my head out the window to say hello to my neighbour, he would have said "privet" back. My daughter Emma was turned away from her swimming lesson today - the reason? - that I am her father. That's right, my beliefs as Emma’s father made them not want to associate with her and made them prevent her from learning something as important as swimming. This is opinion policing in the highest order. In America today you only have to think one "wrong" thought and it can have consequences for your children. Emma came home crying today and no father wants to see that, so now I am asking for your support, tweet under #EmmaFerry and maybe, if we're enough people behind Emma, then maybe we can get some justice for her. That's all I want."

Rob Ferry will not press charges for discrimination, but he would like to see a formal apology from the swimming teachers for treating his daughter that way. Diane Ferry is equally shaken by the experience; this is what she had to say over the telephone.

“What my husband believes in shouldn’t matter at all when it comes to what my daughter does in her daily life. What they did was heartbreaking, Emma had been looking forward to learning to swim ever since she started school – they really ruined her day.” To discuss this story, tweet under #EmmaFerry