Gay High Schools Offer a Haven From Bullies

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I am currently a student at Riverside High school, and I was there when Tara Motto went there. She had been a friend of mine while she was there and she did not openly identify as a lesbian. She was in a heterosexual relationship at the time and only identified as bizexual. I have been at Riverside High School for four years now and have identified as a lesbian all four years and have had no trouble. Although some students are not the most supportive of the homosexual students, the staff at Riverside is exceptionally supportive. There are homosexual teachers here and most of the staff are allies. I have nothing against the Alliance School, and my point was not to call out Tara, but Riverside is not unfriendly to gays. And don't get me wrong, I won't say the place is amazing but its not some homophobic shi*t-hole like its made out to be. Riverside is a large school, not everyone is going to like you, which is why you make an effort to find people who will. Riverside doesn't make it very hard, GSA meets every Thursday after school, Gay Club meets Fridays, obviously not everyone in the school is going to be an ally or even tolerant of gays because we all come from different backgrounds. Perhaps the students wouldn't have been so "mean" to Tara if she had been a bit more tolerant of African-Americans. *Riverside High School has a primarily African-American student population*

M. of WI 10:42PM January 19, 2009

There are a lot of arguments about integration and segregation here, but there are many differences between bullied students and students of color, though they are, as often as other students, one and the same. Bullied students often go "unseen" in a regular school environment, and integration rarely changes the way they are treated. They don't get the opportunity to change the dynamics of the school environment. By going to this school, and then doing presentations in other schools about bullying, the students actually become more visible and integrated and at the same time have the opportunity to develop coping skills and social skills which will help them later in life, while at the same time reducing violence in all schools.

TM of WA 9:39AM January 14, 2009

For some reason this "separate the gays" thing sounds dangerously similar to apartheid's "separate but equal" policy that inevitably was contrary to beliefs in equality. Though admittedly this is much less onerous than apartheid, separation only lessens toleration in the long run. If black people had separate schools just because white elitists were bullying them 40 years ago, true that there would not have been as much bullying, but also true that today racism probably would still exist, and co-existence would not be as tolerated. Sometimes for toleration to come about, an "IN YOUR FACE" attitude is needed.
This hiding from the bullies attitude is ridiculous and only a factor that will only generate intolerance. Tell the gays of today's generation to take the punches for tomorrow's generation.

3:38PM January 13, 2009

as a teacher in milwaukee public schools, i support what the teachers at alliance are trying to do. it's not a "gay" school, but students who are gay are accepted there. it's not a "black" school or a "girls' " school, but black and female students are welcome there. that seems to be the big disconnect here. students aren't separated because of who they are. although i understand and really appreciate the concerns about segregation, students who attend alliance choose to be where they are accepted and feel safe. any student can go there, and many who are not gay do attend alliance. alliance's mission is to allow people to be who they are, without judgement or fear.
another large concern i have is the number of people posting who are angry, small-minded people. if you don't think heterosexual teenagers wear their sexuality on their sleeves, you have not been in a high school lately. they don't just wear their sexuality on their sleeves--they wear it everywhere!! they speak it, sing it, dance it, and practice it. most gay students try to keep their sexuality as quiet as they can. it's a matter of safety.
i'm also trying to figure out how people who are gay are hurting me in any way when they want to get married or have equal rights. the same arguments have been made against people of color and women in a variety of situations. please stop making different groups of people your pariahs. and how these arguments come into play about a school is completely beyond me. no matter how you feel about a kid--whether he or she "chooses" to be gay or have tattoos and piercings or like sci-fi--the kid has the right to be educated without harassment, bullying, or fear for safety. That's "god's" law--treat others as you wish to be treated; judge not lest ye be judged!

Danah of WI 3:35PM January 13, 2009

Not true.
1> If homosexuality were inherent, there would be a 'gay gene', no such gene has been identified. Nor will it since there are twins where one is homosexual and the other is heterosexual.
2> If homosexuality were biological, there would be a identifiable structure in the brain or elsewhere which would predict homosexuality. There has been no such structure found.
3> Homosexuality is a learned response, as clearly shown by 40 year old men, with loving wives and beautiful children, who suddenly 'realize' that they are gay. And by former homosexuals who realize that their lifestyle choice is destructive, and who revert to the natural heterosexual lifestyle. Learned responses are choices we make, which human beings can consciously override if they wish. Learned responses are not a valid criteria for claiming special victim group status.
I am all for 'live and let live', so long as homosexuals keep their deviant sexual practices in their own bedroom, I don't care what turns them on. However, they're not doing so. They are bringing their invalid lifestyle to work - demanding that my company benefit dollars support their 'sexual orientation' and their partner. They bring their invalid lifestyle into the courtrooms - where they demand special protection under the law because they've chosen homosexuality. And they bring their chaotic lives into my home - demanding that my children be taught their law over Gods law - and in some cases demanding that they be given parental rights over children of their former, now heterosexual, sex partners.

David of NY 9:47AM January 13, 2009

This article made me laugh out loud alot...

bob of CA 11:05PM January 10, 2009

To Valorie Zimmerman of WA: It's impractical for several reasons. Growing up as a "different kid", I was harassed by the juvenile delinquent types, the princesses, the jocks and the wannabees. I'd say that's around 1/3 of the class population.
While I applaud your idea as sending the right message to both the tormentor and victim, it just isn't practical to almost double the cost of educating kids. A more ideal answer would be to foster a culture that actually cracks down on bullying period.
Keep sending the bullies home and let mom and dad deal with the expense. If they escalate the bullying, make it a chargeable offense that lands them in juvenile hall so they get to experience being bullied.
Unfortunately, too many principals are refusing to do their jobs when it comes to maintaining order and civility on campus. From what I've read, it's gotten even worse than when I was in school.
To those of you who think being gay is a "choice", this whole discussion is a pretty big argument against that. You might want to think about that.

Chris of CO 5:40AM January 10, 2009

Clarification from a member of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors: There were two votes on the approval of the middle school, one at the committee level (a single-issue vote) and one at the full board level (in combination with other resolutions that the board chose not to vote on separately because it had nothing further to say about them). The committee meeting offered the public the opportunity to testify as well.
Furthermore, when Alliance School was first approved by the school board a few years ago, there were votes on approving the school at several different board meetings, with several opportunities for public testimony.
Alliance School has very high academic standards and welcomes all sorts of students. The devoted staff members have been successful in getting many students who had dropped out or had terrible attendance records to return to school and get serious about their futures. The student population is really diverse and, yes, includes many students who identify as straight. There is no "curriculum" to "teach" anyone their sexual orientation. It's a school where students learn math, science, English, Spanish, art, history, etc. It's no more "about" sex or sexual orientation than any other U.S. high school is.

Jennifer Morales of WI 12:36AM January 10, 2009

To David of NY: I believe it has already been stated that homosexuality is NOT a "lifestyle choice." It is how they are. they are people, just like you and me, and until we realize that I think we need to just leave them alone because their homosexuality affects you none whatsoever.
I am sorry if I have offended anybody, but I feel very strongly on this subject as my friend was bullied for being gay.

Dillon of KY 10:40PM January 09, 2009

I confessed that i was bisexaul in the 7th grade.I was rediculed and i still am. the feeling that you get from you friends leaving you because of who you are is horrifying. I think that allowing kids to have a safe enviornment to get an education is a good idea. I dont think that allowing kids to be safe is discrimination. Everyone has that right. Anyone who is bullied can go to those schools and I think this is a good opertunity...

maggie of AL 11:05AM January 09, 2009