Comments on: Suicides and Gay-bashings: More Violence for LGBT People

By: Crystal Hugo

Crystal Hugo — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:54:37 +0000

I am a student that has been bullied by other students before and I have also been sexually harrassed. I told my mother about these issues; my family and I moved. I feel much safer, but it is scary to know there was a chance that those kids could have tooken my life.

By: John Molina

John Molina — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:45:50 +0000

Mrs. Hawkins-Legoretta, must be an East Coast “thing.” I haven’t heard that word in seven years at a California high school.

By: cindy hawkins-legorreta

cindy hawkins-legorreta — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:19:46 +0000

As an English teacher, I am especially distressed when I pass one of our local High Schools, here on Union Square and students standing outside will routinely harass, or viciously goad each other. They seem to use this as a form of recreation. The most frequently used word? After the ‘N” word? The “F’ word – you will hear one of the kids say to another, “Man you are a FAGGOT!” It is literally a knee jerk response for some teens to use this expression freely, with intent to brand, label, shame, or harass. By all means, let us continue to take strong action to help our gay brothers and sisters who are attacked in the street, in bars, or hassled at the workplace. But let’s also keep a sharp eye on the energies and language being put out there – both toward vulnerable young people attempting to come to terms with their sexuality, in a hostile environment – AND from other young people bound and determined to do them harm.

By: beholder

beholder — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:50:23 +0000

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see another Stonewall.

By: Paen

Paen — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:06:14 +0000

Good for you Patricia.It’s nice to know that there are still lots of real Christians who don’t think that they get to throw the first stone.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 21:20:33 +0000

All of us – gay, straight, whatever – need to stand up and say, “Enough.” As a Christian, I am especially ashamed of churches that spew homophobic hate. There are gay Christians, and they are as deserving of Christ’s love and compassion as anyone else. Those of us who are Christians need to speak up and not let the right wingers take away our voices. They are NOT the only Christians, just the loudest.

By: Paen

Paen — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:01:26 +0000

Concerned it’s not just the LGBT that need to stand up to this,we all need to.I’m straight but because I was seen to be diferent I got bullied by homophobes in school and still have nightmares because of it.Everybody has the right to live in peace no matter how many ignorant scum feel otherwise.

By: skinnyminny

skinnyminny — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 08:19:28 +0000

Concerned Citizen,
I agree with you on this one! It is not right that we, in this country, say that we want to spread democracy while having these type of problems at home. Lately, it appears that people of color, religion, sexual orientation have been targeted for discrimination, harassment, physical assault and worse. I think it doesn’t help that there’s a cable channel that appears to tolerate this type of behavior, and looks to encourage it.

Carter,
I agree with you also. But, I think one of the reasons the school doesn’t want to get involved is fear. One of the fears is a lawsuit.

I also think that the churches and politicians are responsible as well. Churches and politicians have been very vocal about spreading fear and hate. It’s interesting that the anti-government folks are saying they want less government, yet, they are calling on the government to ‘regulate’ this issue. Meaning, they are saying that LGBT community should not be teachers, should not be able to adopt children, and the children of LGBT couples cannot attend certain PRIVATE schools (meanwhile they want to abolish public schools).

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 14:41:39 +0000

It’s time far those in the LGBT community stand up and fight the homophobes. It’s one thing to have an opinion, but it another matter when people are taunted, called names and physically abused and murdered. this nonsense must stop. Those in the LGBT community shouldn’t hestitate to get down and dirty with the homophbes. Surviving is the key to living at all cost.

By: Carter

Carter — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:22:49 +0000

I just remembered a story my son told me when he was in Grammar School…. “They tell us to tell the Teacher if we get bullied” he said. “That’s a joke” he replied, “The bully just laughs it off; sometimes right in the teacher’s face”.

What do you tell your boy if he says something like that? When it comes down to school-yard bullys; the teachers are helpless to intervene.
No; the schools have failed when it comes to helping a child who is a victim of that type of mistreatment..

By: Carter

Carter — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 12:59:52 +0000

Bullying in schools is a disgusting thing that has to stop.
I am sorry if all the apologists for the Teacher’s Union are going to get very defensive about this (I was once a teacher and can see what’s coming….) but teachers are the first line of intervention.

When I was quite young and went to high school I was suspended for fighting. I remember it very well because I punched some other students who was making fun of a student with cerebral palsy. Frankly I would do it again. The teacher’s did nothing. I remember looking at that kid in the wheelchair and choking back tears at the way he looked at me after I punched the guys who were teasing him. I don’t think I would ever forget it. I didn’t even know him; but I knew he was suffering a Hell I would never know.

I brought up my son differently than many parents. We didn’t have TV in the home; we had books. I gave him opportunities for that the school system didn’t. Some schools don’t even offer PE as a mandatory element so all those kids have no physical outlet.

“More money for schools”….That’s all I hear. It’s really more money for administrators! Bullys in schools are partly an administrator’s fault because of the deep seated fear of “rocking the boat” or calling attention to “ANY” problem that their school may have.

I’m sorry but I call ‘em like I see them and public schools in America today fail their student’s needs. They fail in their responsibilities.

A young person who bully’s another kid should be the one who receives some repercussions. But he is an athlete or she is a cheerleader….it isn’t going to happen. Ask any young person about bullys in school; it’s a part of life; but it doesn’t have to be.
many people would say that is just life but do they think that bullying a kid in a wheelchair is just “part of life”? If so, perhaps they need to be on the receiving end for a bit…..