Immediately following the shootings at Columbine, a sophomore member of the soccer team said this about the shooters: “They’re freaks. Nobody really liked them, just ‘cause they ---. The majority of them were gay. So everyone would make fun of them” (Columbine by Dave Cullen). Ironically, the killers, who were not gay, had “gays” and “fags” on their list of people who needed to be killed. In our ubiquitous media culture, gay children and teens are routinely exposed to these sanctioned assaults. Although educators do not have any direct effect on the onslaught of media messages, schools can and should provide both homosexual and heterosexual students the knowledge and skills needed to nurture the acceptance of one of the most oppressed minorities in our culture.
Unfortunately, many school environments provide little in the way of education and enlightenment on an issue affecting 5% —many sources say up to 10%--of our student body. Though acceptance of gay and lesbian students has improved, these students continue to be subjected to harassment that is both verbal and physical. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that “9 out of 10 secondary school principals report that their students have been harassed.
If 90% of gay and lesbian students have reported being harassed in school, it is important to look at the outcomes of this abuse. Statistical evidence provides overwhelming insight into the suffering of gay and lesbian students. Consider the following statistics from Youth Pride, Inc. (2009):
· 36.5 % of GLB youth grades 9-12 have attempted suicide --20.5% of those attempts resulting in medical care.
· 84% of LGBT students report being verbally harassed (name calling, threats, etc.) because of their sexual orientation.
· 91.5% of LGBT students report hearing homophobic remarks, such as “faggot,” “dyke” or the expression “that’s so gay” frequently or often.
· 82.9% of LGBT students report that faculty or staff never intervened or intervened only some of the time when homophobic remarks were made.
These are only a few of the disturbing statistics related to gay teens.
They seem overwhelming; however, many schools are beginning to address the issue. One of the most encouraging changes is the growing number of Gay Straight Alliances in high schools and middle schools.
Of course, before we can implement these changes, we as educators must examine our own biases and prejudices. If we are truly committed to all of our students, we will strive to overcome any behavior that marginalizes any of our students. As we sensitize ourselves and educate ourselves, our ability to open up and embrace our students of diversity will increase. We can learn to stand beside all of our students, even those that are gay or lesbian and authentically advocate for their success in school as well as in life.
Unfortunately, many school environments provide little in the way of education and enlightenment on an issue affecting 5% —many sources say up to 10%--of our student body. Though acceptance of gay and lesbian students has improved, these students continue to be subjected to harassment that is both verbal and physical. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that “9 out of 10 secondary school principals report that their students have been harassed.
If 90% of gay and lesbian students have reported being harassed in school, it is important to look at the outcomes of this abuse. Statistical evidence provides overwhelming insight into the suffering of gay and lesbian students. Consider the following statistics from Youth Pride, Inc. (2009):
· 36.5 % of GLB youth grades 9-12 have attempted suicide --20.5% of those attempts resulting in medical care.
· 84% of LGBT students report being verbally harassed (name calling, threats, etc.) because of their sexual orientation.
· 91.5% of LGBT students report hearing homophobic remarks, such as “faggot,” “dyke” or the expression “that’s so gay” frequently or often.
· 82.9% of LGBT students report that faculty or staff never intervened or intervened only some of the time when homophobic remarks were made.
These are only a few of the disturbing statistics related to gay teens.
They seem overwhelming; however, many schools are beginning to address the issue. One of the most encouraging changes is the growing number of Gay Straight Alliances in high schools and middle schools.
Of course, before we can implement these changes, we as educators must examine our own biases and prejudices. If we are truly committed to all of our students, we will strive to overcome any behavior that marginalizes any of our students. As we sensitize ourselves and educate ourselves, our ability to open up and embrace our students of diversity will increase. We can learn to stand beside all of our students, even those that are gay or lesbian and authentically advocate for their success in school as well as in life.
Since I teach at an Elementary School I really don't feel that this issue affects me as much with kids because at this age level I don't think they are mature enough to realize if they are gay. However we sometimes do deal with this issue with parents of children. Helping them deal with having two mothers or two fathers can sometimes be difficult but I also agree with the tolerance subject that we just need to make sure that we are accepting of everyone's way of life. As teachers it is our job to accept our students however they are and also their families. We might not agree with everything that happens in their homes but it is not our place to ever voice that in school. I hope that should this event ever happen in my classroom that I would be able to help that student be comfortable and accepted by everyone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I believe that we have to be tolerant regardless of our personal beliefs. Administrators, teachers and students who advocate and allow harrassment are likely going to see an increase in the verbal and physical abuse of gay and lesbian students; and it normally doesn't stop there. I think it is easy to find a reason to hate.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I hear more and more statements like "that is gay." I know some of these students, and I don't believe they are a threat to anyone, but I let them know that this is inappropriate. They often times seem surprised that it is a big deal, but I think they are so used to communicating that way they think they can do so in school.
I have also seen a rise in the inappropriate use of the word "Jew.". Again, the students were arbitrarly using the term without regard to who it affects. They were completely oblivious to why this was inappropriate. Some are simply exposed to stuff they don't understand through video games, tv shows, and the Internet.
Students sometimes don't understand the hurt that foolish verbal comments can make, and they tend to be ignorant to the consequences. Much of this is an unfortunate result of parents using similar language or not taking the time to impart knowledge and facts when it can make the most difference. This is truly an area of concern, as technology is allowing more and more students to e-bully and remain anonymous.
The language used by us and students has an impact and as educators it is important to stop ignorance and intolerance in its tracks. If allowed, I think that the targeted students then feel they have no other option but to take action into their own hands i.e. suicide, murder, fight etc... Once this escalation is set in motion, it may be to late to make a difference.
It is so controversial to talk about gay and lesbian rights in some communities. As a teacher I kept it out of the classroom but did not stand for derogatory terms about this group or any others. It was simply not allowed. One student I had made a comment and ended up out of my classroom in the principal’s office for a week. He was admitted back to class after writing an essay about hate crimes and derogatory terms regarding homosexuals and my consent. Our school policy could have kept him out of class for the whole year if I would have been more comfortable with this. My other students in class saw this situation go down and the harsh punishment. This kept them on the straight and narrow. They saw how serious this was taken by both me and the school.
ReplyDeleteAs an undergraduate student I had something explained to me and it made me understand how to handle homosexuality and derogatory terms. A professor said in class one day simply that homosexuality should be handled as a civil right. This is no different than the way a black person was treated. We should treat this civil right the same way we would treat somebody talking about a black person in derogatory terms. It is a basic civil right to be able to live the way they want to live. For some reason, hearing that it was a civil right, made it completely clear. I would not want to be the person going against another person’s rights, their beliefs.
It is always a shame when kids are being harrassed. This is expecially harse for these kids that are in middle school or high school because it is the times in their live that they probably need the most support and guidance. Unfortunately is is also the times in thier lives where they tend to lack the self confidence to advocate for themselves and stand up to people.
ReplyDeleteI also cringe to image the public backlash that administration would get if they implement a gay and lesbian student support group. There would be people that would accuse the school of encouraging the lifestyle and they would draw more attention to an already reclusive group of students. I think the reason it works in colleges is because they are student led organizations.
darn it. I posted without proof reading. Sorry about all the mistakes in the last post.
ReplyDelete