Teen who wants to wear anti-gay T-shirt takes battle to court

[snfu73]

snfu:

I know your have strong beliefs on this subject, but you need to back away from the issue at hand

This is an issue of a school allowing all demonstrations or no demonstrations at all.

This Silence Day and the girl who want to wear the anti-gay t-shirt are both demonstrations.

The school is a public funded organization and has to be objective and unbiased:

So, in my opinion, they let both the gay group do Silence Day and the girl wear her t-shirt, or they allow neither.

This is the only correct way to go in my opinion.

I disagree with the girl, you can be happy and gay, and she is being mean spirited, I do however believe any sex out of marriage is sinful, and I believe its not up for Christians and Catholics to judge sins.

I'll say it: she is not an exaple of a good Christian. Christians don't judge sins, they leave that to God.

Thats the problem with religion, if all us Christians and Catholics could put our urge to judge away and all realize as Christians/Catholics its not our place to judge.. it would be alot better world for us and others.

I am still hoping we can agree on something snfu!

I hope my opinion on the school allows both or neither and what the girl is doing is not Christian can be agreed upon by you!

Well, I can't say you haven't brought of a good point. However, my issue is how to combat bullying and mistreatment of gay and lesbian students in schools. I think it is a real problem...a real issue...and I think this case presents that to us. But, indeed, you have raised a point. The only way to completely avoid a confrontation of this sort is to leave the whole thing out of the school system. But then, how do young people get the message that bullying and name calling and violence and whatever other nasty stuff towards students who are having trouble with their sexual identity can be very destructive?

 

[tamarin]

Schools shouldn't be turf for gender politics. Gays have made it a point to be activists in our lives. I don't appreciate it. Sniffer, how about "Homophobic and proud" ? I'm tired of their agenda and if I can irritate, that's where I'll gravitate.

 

[snfu73]

But, as well, how much room should we leave for hate speech...period. If someone is out and out using hateful speech....how much should society tolerate that?

 

[snfu73]

Schools shouldn't be turf for gender politics. Gays have made it a point to be activists in our lives. I don't appreciate it. Sniffer, how about "Homophobic and proud" ? I'm tired of their agenda and if I can irritate, that's where I'll gravitate.

You don't get out much do you? Many gays stay clear of politics. Those who don't are generally fighting for equal rights, equal dignity and respect....I don't think that can be argued against. I don't think there are any gays out there attempting to convert anyone, if that is what you are implying. So, basically, you are saying that you will gay bash...that is what you are on this planet, seemingly to do?

 

[hermanntrude]

Schools shouldn't be turf for gender politics.

So you agree a kid shouldn't be wearing an anti-gay t-shirt then?

 

[westmanguy]

It would be so much simpler if the school got rid of all protests from their system.

And bullying, if reported, is punished.

I've been in High School, and the motivational speaches don't stop bullying... its a joke really, to make the school look as if they are doing something.

If the victim wants help he reports it and after being suspended a few times the bully will stop.

 

[s243a]

I think the “anti gay” shirt could be divisive. Some schools don’t allow children to where their gang colors because they are divisive. What is different about an anti gay shirt? Weather or not people agree with the school having the moment of silence I don’t think that a school is a place for such demonstrations. If people want to lobby for the removal of the moment of silence how about doing so in front of the school board instead of in the classroom.

 

[s243a]

It would be so much simpler if the school got rid of all protests from their system.

And bullying, if reported, is punished.

I've been in High School, and the motivational speaches don't stop bullying... its a joke really, to make the school look as if they are doing something.

If the victim wants help he reports it and after being suspended a few times the bully will stop.

You might be right. But the consequences of extreme bullying can be another columbine. Sometimes it might be just better for people to keep their opinions to themselves.

 

[hermanntrude]

I'm not gay but I suffered from randomised bullying. I was foolish and emotional and gave them exactly what they wanted, ie entertainment. Used to throw chairs, smash windows, scream shout and cry. I got sent to a special school for intelligent boys with behavioural difficulties, where the bullying was much worse. I learned very slowly but got it in the end. You can report bullies all you like and tell tales and try to fight back but in the end the only foolproof thing to do is stay quiet and ignore them, and know that you're a bigger man for doing it.

 

[snfu73]

It would be so much simpler if the school got rid of all protests from their system.

And bullying, if reported, is punished.

I've been in High School, and the motivational speaches don't stop bullying... its a joke really, to make the school look as if they are doing something.

If the victim wants help he reports it and after being suspended a few times the bully will stop.

There is the issue, however, of being intimidated from not reporting...and then the abuse continues. Sure, not all bullies are going to listen to a lecture. But, a day of silence? Maybe. I dunno. It's impossible to stop all bullying.

 

[Zzarchov]

Well, I can't say you haven't brought of a good point. However, my issue is how to combat bullying and mistreatment of gay and lesbian students in schools. I think it is a real problem...a real issue...and I think this case presents that to us. But, indeed, you have raised a point. The only way to completely avoid a confrontation of this sort is to leave the whole thing out of the school system. But then, how do young people get the message that bullying and name calling and violence and whatever other nasty stuff towards students who are having trouble with their sexual identity can be very destructive?

Isn't focusing on Gay/Lesbian bullying a bad thing? Focus on bullying period. Its like being bullied for being gay is more deserving of attention than being bullied for being the wrong skin colour.

Kids of that age bully people for any reason. If you make them stop bullying people for being gay, they will pick something else to pick on people for. Your not solving a problem, your play a shell game.

Fix the problem itself.

 

[tamarin]

Some folks here have got to open their eyes. Gays have obviously embraced an activist agenda in our society. Some factions are trying to radicalize youth. They've certainly done a number on young girls and women, many of whom now think it's important they experiment with gender roles in sexuality. It's on tv, it's on the streets, it's at summer festivals. Open expressions of lesbian love. Fine, if you're a lesbian. But if you're just doing it to be cool, and prove how inclusive and tolerant you are you have to have marbles in your head. And for those gay activists trying to sneak various lifestyle alternative books onto reading schedules for primary students, you need to get a life.
Don't expect tolerance to allow you to do anything you like. Our clueless government should be stepping up to the plate and viewing exactly what is going on with gay segments actively wanting access to young people and civic agendas.

 

[tamarin]

Herman, someone should have taught you how to fight. I'm verbal but I also know in some situations a good swat on the head will get me further than an articulate argument.

 

[Zzarchov]

what? young women are experimenting in droves? Oh for fudges sake! Why didn't I wait to get married! Nooooooooooo!

 

[tamarin]

Yes, Zzarchov, the Globe had a great article last year on the phenomenon in colleges and universities where many young women reported they felt pressured to engage in same-sex sexual relationships to some degree. There has not been anything like that in the young male community. Either because we're stick-in-the-muds when challenged about our gender specifics or because we happen to think sexuality isn't just another experiment.

 

[Tonington]

I don't really have a problem with this, on both sides. What good is free speech if the one person who disagrees with the crowd isn't allowed to have their say? Free speech has allowable limits, and for good reason.

Conversely I have no problem with schools allowing for this kind of day. School is where we learn to socialize. Schools in the past have been involved in acceptance, inter-racial schools, gender, and now sexual diversity. It's not like heterosexuals are being targeted by bullies for the simple reason that they are heterosexual.

It goes beyond just punishing the bully. It comes around full circle when the bullies friends pick up where the bully left off. Don't any of you remember how tattlers are treated?

 

[hermanntrude]

Herman, someone should have taught you how to fight. I'm verbal but I also know in some situations a good swat on the head will get me further than an articulate argument.

I've come out of every fight i've been part of since 1994 as the winner. Even though I did get beat up once or twice.

 

[tamarin]

I come from pre-rat culture. I am befuddled by today's youth that insists their peers accept being victimized, used, abused and degraded rather than "tattle." It's hardly a liberal notion. And one that not only guarantees such abuse will persist but also guarantees their shame about it in the years ahead.

 

[hermanntrude]

Don't any of you remember how tattlers are treated?

i remember. I'll never forget

 

[tamarin]

Herman, good! Any father who doesn't teach his son how to fight - and, concomitantly, how to hold his temper - is doing a crappy job as a parent.