Opinion?

[Irish]

I really don't have the time to devote to this thread as I have an appt.I thought that I would throw it out for your opinion anyway!
I just heard,on the radio,that NYC,is going to have a high school,
strictly,for homosexuals next year.This will not be a private school,but will be funded by taxpayers money!Supposedly,it is because they get picked on so much.I am prejudiced!I have an
autistic grandson & I would much rather see money go into research.I have found,thru experience,that usually,if someone bullys someone because of sexual or racial differences,it is because they are insecure themselves.Got to run!What's your
opinion? Irish

[Nubian]

I think it's a bad idea and will have the opposite effect of making them even more of a target. Just imagine being identified as the one that goes to that~~insert favorite derogatory commment here~~school. Yeesh! Students should learn from an early age that the world is composed of many different kinds of people, whether the difference occurs in race, gender, size, or sexual orientation--note I didn't say preference--doesn't really matter. It's this diversity that's fundamentally the core strength of our species. Creating this separate school doesn't allow other students to learn this valuable lesson, nor does it present them with an opportunity to confront their own prejudices and to learn to accept individuals for who they are and not shy away because of some label.


O.K. I'm off the soapbox.

[Vicious Tease]

Hmmm ... I think it's a bad idea but not for monetary reasons. I think it is important to teach tolerance. If the harassment is unbearable, do something about it. Don't make the kids outcasts just because they have different interests. I agree that no one can make you feel bad about yourself without your permission. Of course, in high school no one has any real confidence yet. It is up to the administrators to identify the problem and work to resolve it. To segregate them will only confirm the heterosexual students' opinion that there is something wrong with homosexuals in general ... thus carrying hatred and prejudice through another generation. Whether you agree with the life choices or sexual orientation of another person makes is of little importance. NYC is still in America last time I checked. Why don't we let the government classes put a little extra emphasis on freedom. How about the health teachers discuss same sex safety right along side the boy/girl condom lecture. At the high school I went to, racial slurs would get you expelled. Shouldn't acts of cruelty and violence toward gay/lesbian students receive the same treatment?

Ok ... I'm ranting. Sorry. Sort of a touchy subject with me. Thanks for asking the question Irish. :)

[skipthisone]

What if they start a policy on bussing but you are Bi? That is what i want to know...

[horseman12]

Segregation has never been the answer. Nor will it ever be. Why can we see this and the assholes that make these stupid decisions NOT see it? What's betting they got paid megga bucks to come up with that idea??? More wasted money!!!!

[lakritze]

I have never read or heard anything about this,but generally it is a bad idea to seperate anybody from the mix.Same opinion for all boys schools,all girls schools or for institutions to be segragated in any way. Didn't we learn anything from our pre civil rights history?

[dadaist]

I heard it on the newsradio station around here, but can't find a story link on their website. Having been around educators the last 3+ years, and with a lot of people even trying to make sure that special ed kids get help but are mainstreamed as well, I wonder about this. I guess if it's an experiment, like how experiments in "all girl" classes have been done in the last few years, it might tell us something. On the other hand, it may indeed reinforce prejudices. :(

[osuche]

I think the city would be doing the kids a disservice by segregating them...these kids have to learn how to get along in society. The sad fact is that *many* kids get picked on in high school -- you don't have to be openly gay to stand out. Unfortunately part of the rites of passage to adulthood...

[darogle]

What a horrible thing to do to a kid. To the gay child they get to be shuttled off to a "special" school, further solidifying their fear that they are different. Plus it does nothing to teach them of how to cope with the world. And also to the kids left at the old school. Won't that just reinforce any prejudices that they might have had? "Timmy's gay and they shipped him off..."
Crimony, I get sick when I see all the cases of political correctness gone horribly wrong. What the hell ever happened to common sense?!?

[LixyChick]

Damn, we have some smart people here!

I reiterate, how is it WE can see "the ideal way" and those who make these ludicrous decisions, not? I'd have loved to had been a fly on the wall during those meetings! I would have bit everyone on the ass a few times before I got swatted!

I wish I knew the opinions of the kids involved.........both sides.....the gay and the straight. Are they falling for this bullshit? And what about the parents on both sides too? Is this the world they want their children to grow up in and remember?

I think I have more questions than opinions and answers!

[BlueSwede]

And what about the kids who haven't come out of the closet...the ones who haven't been able to or haven't wanted to tell their parents yet? I mean, you'd have to have parents involved in that enrollment process. I would think that the kids whose parents know and approve of their children's sexual preferences to the point that they would send them to that school already have a better support system than many gay students. (That may be clear as mud! Sorry.)

My daughter was a member of an extracurricular club at her high school devoted to the support of gay and bi students, but members included many straight students as well. In fact, you didn't have to announce or proclaim your sexual preference to be a member, of course. The teacher who sponsored it was gay, and her principal was a big proponent of it. I was proud of the school for being so supportive. The group and school were trashed by the conservative media, but the school and group did not back down under the pressure. To me, making a school supportive of ALL students just makes the most sense.

[Irish]

I have,knowingly,one gay friend(a male cousin)&3 lesbian ones.
They ALL think that it is a bad idea.They do not force their sexual
preferances on anyone.No one would know that they were homo-
sexual.As they all said:You eventually have to blend in to society
anyway!Why call attention to yourself?I wouldn't want to pay,to send you to"Clearasil High"because you have pimples!Deal with it!
Now you know why they are friends of mine.With that attitude,
how could they not be? Irish

[BIBI]

Well I for one think that as long as the kid is not forced to go to this type of school, then it must be that they want to go. I too also think that one cannot run away from life's bullies and just because the school caters to gays/lesbians it does not mean that there will be no bullies in attendance either. I imagine it would be a school where at the very least the kids will all be on the same playing field to start with, but a mixture of personalities in any enviorment will cause turbulance. I need to know more!!!!!!
I too, like Lixy have far more questions than answers to this proposed school.

I think I need to go and see what I can find out about this........a surfing I will go!!!! :)

[2-4-tea]

I agree on the money being used for reasearch . There is not alot of money out there for education as it is and where there is some it should be used for the kids who need it the most and it would benifit the most. Where as I am sure homosexual teens have a hard time fitting in as it is I do know that some schools offer support groups for them. I had a cousin who had MS and they wanted to put him in "special school" his mother fought to keep him in a regular school and he was loved and acepted by everyone in that school. God bless you and your grandson

[Irish]

Now I'm really confused!I just came in from working outside.
Before I went ouside,I watched the 6 O'clock news.The homosexuals want to marry so they will be looked at as everyone else but they want their own school so they won't be.Are they mixed up or am I? Irish

[Scarecrow]

First thing to think about is NYC has a High school for the performing art, one for pregent girls, one for slow children, and many more segergated high schools, so this would be and apporerate response for NYC.

[Aqua]

Originally posted by Scarecrow
First thing to think about is NYC has a High school for the performing art, one for pregent girls, one for slow children, and many more segergated high schools, so this would be and apporerate response for NYC.

Boy, let's hear it for NY...

*Crickets chirping*

*Pin dropping*

I think a seperate school is a very bad idea... especially a publicly funded one. As was mentioned before... it will just make the students their a target for abuse.

[Teddy Bear]

I think a seperate school would not be good for either side. They will all need to get along once they graduate and take thier place in the 'real' world.

Besides to be 'fair' there'd need to be a seperate school for everyone who was 'different'. In high school I had a girl friend who was super skinny and couldn't gain weight no matter what she tryed. (the bitch- lol) She was called 'bones' & a mulitude of other things & was teased constantly. Would she get a seperate school? If so we probably would have never met & become close friends. What about the fat boy? The kid with a speech impediment? Would they all get seperate schools?

Nope, seperation would be bad. How about spending the money on teaching tolerance.

[darogle]

Are they going to make a school for overweight kids too? Because they get picked on alot too! What about a grade school for kids with glasses and braces? A school for ugly kids? A school for....

Hey wait a minute!!! Didn't we resolve this issue, at least somewhat, back in the 60's?

Just a thought.

[Cheyanne]

The name of the school is the "Harvey Milk School" and here is the web site of the school.

It is rather interesting, take a look. :D

http://www.hmi.org/Youth/HarveyMilkSchool/default.aspx

The center tab portion "For the Community" has some stats and other information for those of us with more questions. The presentation of the information does lend to some credibility and support of a seperate school for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender youth.

From my understanding, this is a choice for those students, and is in no way mandatory.

I am not really sure how I feel about it, but if it is a choice for each individual then why not?????

[Steph]

There's a school in T.O. for gay kids who want to attend it. To each his own, I reckon.

[Irish]

Steph---Is the school at taxpayers expense or is it a private
school?I'm curious.I guess,the only way to learn is to ask.
Irish
P.S.I don't even know if you guys have an income tax or what
the standard is.

[BIBI]

Everyone in Canada who has a taxable income pays income taxes.
We pay Federal and Provincial taxes
A portion of the Federal Tax is allotted to each province
for education and a portion of the tax for the provincial portion is allotted for education to each Board of Education
THEN homeowners contribute to the the local education costs with monies from their property taxes.We are taxed up the ass just like anyone else.

I don't know if the school for gays in Toronto is funded by the taxpayers but I imagine that it is. Even private schools can qualify for grants from the governing bodies too.

From what I know there is an allotted amount of monies for schooling for the Boards of Education and the trustees decide what to do with it from programs to hiring teachers and opening new schools.
I do know that if changes are to be implemented in any venue there must be someone lobbying for such changes. That includes everything from education to medical funding.
I do know this from experience though. I had to fight the education system regarding my son and I started at his school and ended up at the Ministry of Education stopping by at my elected officials offices too. I brought about changes for him and in doing so for many other kids too. I worked hard at learning my stuff and then presenting it. If you want change you have to take it on as a job with a dedication and determination. You also have to learn when they say no......you ask why! ok I am over my 2 cents, so I will leave now! :)

[axe31]

every one has the right to education free from fear and hate.
the education system is failing to many people in this respect
the problem is not only the hate mongers but the stand by and do nothing individuals. to this school even before the change was
a shining example for all schools untill all schools are able to
protect there students from being oppressed schools like this
are needed oltho a high school for gay bi tran straight alliance
would be better just because youre son/daughter is not gay
dose not meen its not youre problem

first they came for the jews i did nothing
then they came for the blacks is did nothing
next they came for the gay and lebians again i did nothing
then when they came for me ther was no one left to stop them

[Lilith]

Actually I have a family member who has a son who is gay and they are currently having a really hard time with schooling issues. I am not sure that this child even realizes he is gay yet but most everyone else does including his peers. He is getting his ass kicked a lot. His mother is looking for a school where there are more kids like him so that he at least has a peer group to hang with. I agree the answer is for parents to raise loving non-homophobic kids but you know sometimes you just don't wanna go your whole teenage years being the one to have to teach tolerance.

I went through a similar situation when I was a teen based on my choices regarding racial issues. It would have been nice somedays to just be a kid not the poster girl for racial discrimination.

I am not sure there is a good answer here..... If there are enough kids to make it cost effective and their parents want it (who by the way pay taxes too) I have no issue with it. Here in my state it would be a charter school of sorts.

[BigBear57]

Gee I've got a really radical thought... let's take all the funds and improve the public school as a whole. Specialty schools are nice I guess but if we turned all the funds in the same direction and actually paid a teacher what they were worth and allowed a little discipline as we once did.. imagine the possibilities.