bigotry and bullying

I read another blog today that had to do with a woman who allowed her 5 year old son dress as Daphne from Scoobydoo. Apparently the child loves the show and for some reason had chosen this costume to be what he wanted to dress up as. The closer it came to Halloween and taking him to preschool in his costume the more he became concerned that people would laugh at him in a bad way. Several of his friends moms knew what his costume was to be and told him it was great as they walked into the school. However when the child and his mother reached his classroom several other mothers made a point to question this woman as to why she would allow such a costume and was it one that he had picked out and if he was in Kindergarten she would have had to put her foot down and not allow it at all.
This blog got my blood boiling! How DARE anyone question a costume for Halloween unless it is totally not age appropriate. This mother posted a picture of her son in costume and it made me smile. He was very cute. Now granted I wouldn't want my son to dress in drag on a regular basis but for a Halloween costume there isn't anything really the matter with it.
As I read this blog I thought about how hatred and bigotry and bullying tend to start at home and get brought out into the public areas. If parents can't find a way to understand that there are all types in this world of ours then how are children to learn that it is ok to be different? How are they to know that it isn't ok to call other people hurtful things or behave in a hurtful manner if their parents are spouting garbage in their homes and calling people that are different ugly names and terms? Children learn by example and while some things may not be the norm or really acceptable in todays society there are ways to let your child know without being rude, crude, and nasty about it.
Ok... I step down from my soap box and try to accept that life is as it is and I have raised understanding and non bigotted children. Thank you.