totally OT- for those concerned about bullying of gay kids in schools

I don't know how much this is on topic. But I wanted to share an interesting story about one of my students

In my honors class (mostly freshmen in high school) a few weeks ago four of my girl students were obviously cheating. It was a debacle trying to get administrative team to intercede to get to the bottom of this. When I called the four girls in to speak with them separately, I got anxioius attempts to obliterate the possible cheating from their records on the part of three of the girls and stony silencce from the fourth girl.

Fast forward to midterms, and for whatever reason, I noted the necklace that "stony silence girl" was wearing prior to the midterm.. It was a "support of gay pride" type necklace that I'd noted her wearing a couple of other times. I don't know what brought about the miniscule conversation during the passing period, but in that private moment she shared that she was doing her best to support the cause of gay people because of her own predilections. I made a comment at that point about how I felt that the government should keep out of people's bedrooms (I'm a quite devoted heterosexual, and my kids know it because hubby teaches at the same school).

It was a precious moment in my teaching as this student realized in that moment that any of the ideas that she had that I might have singled her out because of her necklacce were destroyed in an instant. The joy on her face as she realized that there was nothing in anything I've done that was based on prejudice. it was precious. It was worth a lot to me.

What's the attitude toward gay students at your school?  I was reading a study recently that indicated almost all high school students asked reported they had heard gay jokes or homophobic comments from other students, but a large percent had also heard those things from teachers.  It was really scary.  And the survey went on to find that a large percentage of teachers admitted when asked that they were uncomfortable dealing with gay students.  It was really scary.

 That's an awesome story! 

Petition signed.

This is outrageous. Thank you for sharing.

My brother and sister are both gay. My sister didn't realize she was in high school, but my brother has known since he was in about middle school.

I thought schools were supposed to open people's minds, not close them.

I'm from the mean streets of New York so I know alot about both sides of bullying (victim and aggressor). I think that schools must take responsibility and do everything within their power to keep all children emotionally safe "on their watch". Parents must step up and expect decency from their children. If I was caught teasing another child I would get reprimanded by my family. Everyone's family is not like that, some encourage it.

I can be a bit pessimistic about these sorts of things, I feel that wiping out bullying is like trying to wipe out terrorism. It's sad that children must suffer for being different or not fitting in, or smelling like pee-pee, or wearing "uncool clothing". Whatever the reason, it is wrong but can we really stop it? Aside from making schools more accountable for what happens on thier watch. On the walk home from school, it may be a different story.

I'm not sure we can wipe it out altogether, but we certainly don't have to encourage it, which this assembly did.  And while we can't control what happens on the walk home from school, we sure can control what adults are telling kids in school.

 I was ticked when I saw the thread about the petition & promptly signed it. Now I'm incensed after reading the article!!! For real, Iowa?? Expected more out of you..... For a state that has legalized gay marriage, this is very disturbing indeed! All you can do is make your voice heard and remind the kids that there is nothing wrong with THEM and everything wrong with the butt-head admins!  Nothing like a bit of ire to wake you up in the morning.......

I'm concerned about ANY kid being bullied in school and especially those most vulnerable because they are different.

I want to go look at the other thread, but the one thing I thought reading this on the board was "I love that we can talk about anything here."

My second thought? I wish there was as MUCH respect for the bible thread as there seems to be for this one. Both are equally off topic for a WLS board.

Just sayin.

Well, I have respect for the Bible thread.  I don't like it when those that don't like the Bible thread are referred to as haters, and I won't refer to anyone as a hater if they don't like this thread.  I'm perfectly fine with off topic posts, though!  (obviously)

We'll agree to disagree on that point. Like I said, anyone who comes into a thread and hates on it is a hater. Nobody called anybody a hater just for the sake of disliking the post. That would be wrong. But I'd liken it to someone coming into a party I'm holding and telling all my guests we are ugly. That's being a hater.

Anyway I don't want to start drama, but that comment wasn't necessarily directed at you. I feel like you are respectful of al posts and I respect YOU for that. It just sort of took me aback because the suggestion to "get your own group" really offended me, yet I see lots of other off-topic stuff go over just fine. That struck a nerve.

Anyhoo...gotta go take the divas their lunch money so...until later!