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  david_nwpa1 month, 3 weeks ago

  I have zero sympathy for this principal. If he is indeed a principal for a school, he knows he must obey the law. All school districts are obligated by Federal Law to allow equal access to all clubs on campus, or bar all of them. Since the school board voted not to ban them, he had to accept that the club would exist. Whether the club meets on or off campus or is indeed recognized by the board is inconsequential in that the students who are gay must still be provided a free and appropriate public education. In other words, the principal has no choice but to see that they are educated, not indoctrinated.

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  jordan111 month, 3 weeks ago

  I feel so badly for gay kids that have to live among those bigots. Can't imagine what their parents are thinking to stay there.

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  david_nwpa1 month, 3 weeks ago

  What bothers me is that this is not an isolated incident. Principals and administrators from all over the country have no idea how to work with or respect the needs of gay and lesbian students, or those perceived to be but are in a questioning phase. Coming out is a painful process in the teen years; school can make it a lot worse.

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  chuck-the-canuck1 month, 3 weeks ago

  As you are probably aware, I'm a straight guy who isn't homophobic, but I'd think twice about having a gay club in a high school. It's tough enough for some people to make it through those years as it is.

  I'm not saying don't be proud of who you are. What I'm saying is don't paint a bulls eye on your back.

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    jordan111 month, 3 weeks ago

    I take your point; however, gay teens already have a 'bulls eye on their back.' They need a support group. Teen suicides are highest among their group, & everything needs to be done to let them know they aren't 'alone.'

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      chuck-the-canuck1 month, 3 weeks ago

      No doubt they need a support network. A club like that may make it in Canada, we aren't quite so homophobic, but you're just asking for trouble trying that in most places in the US.

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        david_nwpa1 month, 3 weeks ago

        Some GSAs have made it in the United States and in some rather peculiar places. Salt Lake City, Utah, has a few schools which have thriving GSAs. Those clubs were difficult for the schools to accept. However, once the students made it their cause, and with the support of Federal Law, the kids won.

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        tkyrchncs1 month, 3 weeks ago

        Lots of gay kids already have the bull's eye on, all the time: the really fem boys and the really butch girls, and lots of the transgendered kids too. An officially recognized organization implies a certain level of support for these kids that might help keeping bullies in check.

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    hamy1 month, 3 weeks ago

    Most High Schools already have a gay club. The Drama Club. Or Show Choir.

    I'm sorry. I was a drama geek so I am allowed to make fun. But I don't think that meeting with other gay people is going to put any larger target on their back than when I was in school. Actually, I think that there is safety in numbers.

    One student is a lot easier to bully than 20.

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      david_nwpa1 month, 3 weeks ago

      I agree, harny. In fact, I would form a GSA in the school in which I teach, but I cannot be the one to put forth the idea. If a student were to approach me to be faculty adviser, then I could do it, but only then. Yes, safety in numbers is a great idea.

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  david_nwpa1 month, 3 weeks ago

  How else do we end bigotry unless we stand up for who we are as humans? How else do we fight back? The entire point of a gay straight alliance is to help students come out in a safe environment and to allow straight or questioning students to ask questions. Like it or not, almost all high schools will have gay students.

  Chuck, I know you are not a homophobe, and I respect your opinions. When I was in high school, I did not want to come out. In many ways, I was kicked out of the closet. I would have taken comfort in knowing others like me were around me in high school. I know now, some 22 years later that many of my classmates were either gay or bisexual. If only I had known in high school what I know now.

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    tkyrchncs1 month, 3 weeks ago

    It was the same for me in HS, David. I was scared to death someone would find out. I decided that as soon as I got to college that would be over with, and it has been. I don't wear a sign, but I don't hide my orientation either, and I don't accept one bit of sh!t about myself in particular or homosexuality in general in my presence. I've always been a bit ashamed that I was so gutless in HS; if I hadn't been, life might have been a lot easier for some other kids who were not as well connected or protected as I was.

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  Hobe1 month, 3 weeks ago

  SC School Begrudgingly Allows Gay Student Club

  Good news...

  How would the Principal feel if his son or daughter were HoMosexual?

  Wish the principal all the best in his retirement...

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