Utah Teen Outed by School Officials... to "Protect" Him?

School administrators in a Utah middle school "outed" a teen against his will saying that they were preventing him from being bullied by doing so. The Alpine School District teen who has remained unmentioned by name was out to his friends, but not his parents.

Coming out to your parents is a very hard,  very  emotional and troubling time. To have school officials tell your parents you may be gay before you're ready is going above and beyond their responsibility to protect kids while in school or on school premises and can lead to disastrous results for the outed teen.

Civil rights groups blasted the move as a violation of the student's right to privacy.

"The school's decision to disclose deprived the young man the right to reveal highly personal aspects of his life at a time and manner of his choice," Joe Cohn of the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Cohn said there are serious consequences in such cases, especially in communities where homosexuality can carry a tremendous stigma.

"Taking away the choice for a LGBT student to come out on their own terms opens the door to significant risks, including harassment at school and family rejection," network Executive Director Eliza Byard said in a statement. "Schools should be able to provide LGBT students with support and resources in order to make an informed decision if and when they decide to come out to their school community and family."

 One out of four homeless teens are LGBTQ according to recent statistics. Most of them were thrown out before the age of 18 for coming out to their family and friends.

This move on the part of school administrators violates every common sense thought about protecting someone from being bullied. Apparently they don't possess common sense, or most likely, both that and are very uneducated about what it's like to be LGBT. Educating teachers and school officials is of the utmost importance in preventing teen bullying, homelessness and teen suicide as a result of identity struggles with being LGBT.

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Two 14 year Old Students Sent Home for a Hug?

The "Moral" right sometimes goes even farther than we've come to expect them to go. This example of their "righteous indignation" crosses the line of any such morals and over into the realm of absurd, anti-family (which they so proudly wave in front of themselves like a big banner), and confirms the absolute hypocrisy  that is - being "right."

Two 14-year-olds in Palm Beach, Florida weren’t expecting to be sent home from school when they greeted each other with an innocent hug.

Nancy Crescente was shocked to find out that Palm Bay Southwest Middle School suspended her son, Nickolas Martinez, and his friend.  “I thought it was the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard,” Nancy Crescente told WOFL. “We’re a cultural family and this is what we do.”

Students suspended for hugging: MyFoxORLANDO.com

“They said this is what they do across the board, it is what it is. And that was that.”
School administrators say there are no plans to update the “no hugging” policy that was approved by a committee of parents years ago.

“‘Public Displays of Affection’ is a school board policy,” Brevard County School spokesperson Nancy Davis explained. “It relates to kissing and holding hands and hugging. It is a blanket-wide policy across all schools here.”

But Nancy Crescente thinks that its time for that policy to change. “There was nothing inappropriate. Hugging is mutual. It was a mutual hug, and I just don’t understand how something so innocent can be turned into this chaos.”

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Male Cheerleader Suspended For Kissing Another Boy

By Winston Gieseke
The Advocate.com

Once again Texas, home state of presidential hopeful Rick Perry, shows its homophobic stripes as a young cheerleader is suspended for kissing another guy on school grounds. 

It's hard to say much other than that this student (who remains unidentified) seems to have been targeted by the school principle because of his sexual orientation. He was suspended and, of course, the district has no comment. The video on this link explains it from the students perspective as he makes a valid point that the surveillance cameras, never used for other reasons, were used against him by the administration. His parent s have vowed to pursue further action if he is not reinstated to the cheerleading squad.

A Shocking Story From Jamey Rodemeyer's Parents

Courtesy of the Advocate is this horrific story of what happened to the sister of Jamey Rodemeyer at a school dance recently. Seems that the bullying has not subsided and the school administrators have done absolutely nothing about it. What the heck is wrong with this country?

School anti-gay bullying law passed in California - PinkPaper.com

California-->progressive, behind the times, all over the place! California, finally a safer place for bullied students protected by a new law, is once again placing itself

ahead of the rest of the country having passed legislation titled ‘Seth’s law’, after Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old boy from California who committed suicide in 2010 following anti-gay bullying.

The new and legislation was passed by the state Senate on Friday. The bill, which was passed by 24 votes to 14, will require schools to address incidents of homophobic bullying and will help to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge to tackle cases of abuse relating to sexual orientation.

Jury deliberations resume in Brandon McInerney murder trial - PinkPaper.com

Tuesday the jury resumed its deliberations in the murder trial of Brandon McInerney, accused of a hate crime in the murder of Lawrence King in 2008., after a weekend recess. So far there is no indication of how long the deliberations are expected to last.

Prosecutor: Teen plotted Larry King's death | from 365gay.com

I've been closely following this case due to it's high profile in California, and also because of the perception that it will, most likely, set several precedents when it comes to hate crimes against gays in several ways. Thursday the prosecution has finally pointed out the obvious reason that Brandon McIlverney should be found guilty of manslaughter and hate crimes in this case.

 From testimony of a psychologist who interviewed McIlverney, it has come out that he had intentions of murdering King  (in 2008) up to four (4) days previous to the actual murder. The real issue in this case is not that he murdered King, but that it was premeditated and also a hate crime. Nazi drawings were found in his room and he holds some White Supremacy views from his upbringing. Regardless of his upbringing though, he acted upon only one statement made to him, according to two witness. That was a statement made in passing by King in the hallway apparently days before the shooting.

This obviously is a hate crime that was committed, but how the jury will feel is most likely another story. The reason I think that this has broad implications concerns not only the murder and hate crime committed, but also how the jury will make McIlverney answer for the murder. If they find him guilty of only Involuntary Manslaughter, then it might stir up more anti-gay sentiments in school settings and set the precedent for school administrators to continue their lackadaisical attitude towards gay related bullying and hate crimes in the school setting.

Something has to change in our schools when it comes to administrators and teachers looking the other way when it comes to bullying and anti-gay acts and hopefully, this will become the impetus for that change.

Another student files case against Minnesota school district.

(maybe with new limits)

The Anoka-Hennepin School District in Michele Bachmann's state of Minnesota is once again being sued by a student, claiming sexual harassment. Last month, PinkPaper.com reported that five students planned to sue the district after a policy which limited staff discussions about gay issues left them at risk of bullying.

The same month we also reported that a total of nine young students have committed suicide in the area – and all of them are said to be linked to homophobic bullying. Of course Bachmann, in the GOP run for the presidential election, will not answer questions about the lack of intervention by her and the school district regarding facing one of the highest rates of teen suicide, in the same school, in the country.

Prior to this five students have joined together to sue the school district in an effort to force them to change present policies that allow pervasive bullying against LGBTQ students legal.

 “This is yet another incredibly distressing example of how the district’s shameful policy has hurt kids,” NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell told the Minnesota Independent.

“The district has to stop turning its back on children, and recognize that its illegal policy that singles out those who are LGBT is the reason that so many children in their schools continue to be tormented — verbally, physically, and emotionally — every day.”

This case, in addition to the murder trial of Brandon McInerny, accused of shooting to death Lawrence King in 2008 (see previous posts), is another potentially important lawsuit that will certainly have an effect on not only how schools handle bullying against LGBTQ students or those with disabilities, but will also have a direct effect on Bachmann's run for the presidency. As of late Bachmann has taken the high road by not answering questions about the issue and the legality of school policy that allows students to be bullied.

We'll be following this case closely as it develops.

Gay teen suicide case probed - PinkPaper.com

I hope this case is taken seriously for a change by some who can and will make some changes at least this school district. This 13 year old teenage suffered too much and so did his family...unfortunately a scene too many families have had to endure at the hands of homophobic authorities and uneducated individuals in authority who pass bullying along as a "rite of passage" between kids. 

I really hate to even think of this or even say it, but I wonder sometime what would change if a few of those individuals had to go and cut down one of these kids hanging from a bed, or pick up a teenager who chose to end his or her life with a gun. Maybe something would sink in if they felt the accountability of their actions...I don't know. Then again, a lot of kids these days don't seem to care about much of anything as long as it's not them being bullied, picked on, or whatever it may be. 

I have personal experience with all aspects of this and all I know is that we have to keep up the struggle to educate the kids, adults, authorities, even people in power at the highest level of government. 

Official accused of anti-gay comments

Wednesday October 27, 2010

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -- A member of a northern Arkansas school board, commenting on a campaign to get people to wear purple to show support for bullied gay and lesbian youth, purportedly posted on Facebook that the only way he would wear purple is "if they all commit suicide."

The Arkansas Department of Education on Wednesday condemned the alleged posting by Midland School Board member Clint McCance.

The Advocate, a magazine that reports about gay issues, first reported about the posting on its website. The Facebook page has been disabled, but The Advocate posted a screen grab of the alleged postings that it says someone forwarded to it.

McCance’s alleged posting was in response to a Facebook campaign that asked supporters to wear purple last Wednesday to show solidarity after several gay and lesbian youths killed themselves, reportedly because of bullying.

"Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers killed themselves," the posting reads. "The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed thereselves because of their sin."

McCance didn’t respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday left at his office, and his cell phone voicemail box was full and not accepting new messages. He told the Arkansas Times that the issue had been "blown out of proportion" but declined further comment.

Officials at the Midland School District said Superintendent Dean Stanley was out of the office and not available for comment.

In a statement, the Midland School District distanced itself from McCance’s comments and said the school does not "support or condone" what was written on the Facebook page.

"Mr. McCance was not acting as an agent of the school board, but as a private citizen when this comment was posted. This post does not reflect the thoughts of the board or administration of the Midland School District," the statement said. "The district strives to foster an environment that discourages all forms of bullying and an environment that encourages a safe and productive educational climate of all of our students."

The Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights advocacy group, said it plans to buy two full-page ads in local newspapers Friday urging McCance to resign.

A Facebook group, "Fire Clint McCance," had more than 23,000 members by Wednesday afternoon.

The state Education Department said in a statement Wednesday that it had no jurisdiction over elected school officials but that it would investigate any reports of bullying that arise because of the incident.

"The Arkansas Department of Education strongly condemns remarks or attitudes of this kind and is dismayed to see that a school board official would post something of this insensitive nature on a public forum like Facebook," the department said.

The Arkansas School Board Association also denounced the remarks.