Chicago to Approve Their First Gay-Friendly School
October 13, 2008 – 11:09 am by KimPublic school officials in Chicago feel that opening a gay-friendly high school may be the first step toward improving graduation rates and decreasing incidences of harassment toward gay students.
According to a survey conducted by the Chicago Public School District in 2003, gay and lesbian students are three times more likely to skip class or miss school because they feel unsafe. Furthermore, high school dropout rates among gay and lesbian students are increasing at an alarming rate, along with more reported incidents of harassment and violence.
In response to this issue, the Chicago Public School District will consider adding a Pride Campus to their School for Social Justice. This school will not be exclusive to gay students, but also to any struggling and at-risk students.
The Pride Campus will be a safe and accepting environment, where gay and at-risk students can attend classes without the fear of harassment or violence. The school board will vote October 22 whether to approve the School for Social Justice Pride Campus.
But is this really the best solution to stop the bullying of gay students?
While the Pride Campus will provide a safe haven for gay students, it isn’t preparing them for reality. It is the unfortunate truth that the world can be a tough place, with people that will not be accepting of other’s differences. I think that sheltering students from this reality could cause further separation from the real world and actually cause harm later in life.
Since the bullying of gay students in public schools is an issue, a solution should be created to solve this problem. Gay students are part of the student community, so they deserve to stay in public schools just as much as straight children. What is this teaching the kids who are bullying the gay students?
If we want students to understand that bullying is wrong and picking on someone because of their personal choices is also wrong, then we shouldn’t just remove the problem all together. Proper punishment needs to be established for the bullies at school and send a message that harassment will not be tolerated.
3 Responses to “Chicago to Approve Their First Gay-Friendly School”
This is bad because you are teaching kids AVOIDANCE. They will grow up sheltered from all of the good and bad which exists in society today. It will teach kids segregation and I don’t think that is what our country should be doing after all of these years.
By Kevin on Oct 14, 2008
Kevin - I completely agree with you. I think this sends the wrong message and really does create segragation in our public schools. Hopefully the Chicago School District will consider these damaging effects when casting their final decision.
By Kim on Oct 15, 2008
Hello my name is Merle Dean Shamblin and I would like to be your new friend. I sure could use somebody to chat with. I am a 47 year old long haul truck driver who currently lives in Duncan Oklahoma. Dec 8th 1960 I was born in Fairview Oklahoma. Moved to Caddo and Washita counties where I attended school at Colony Hydro and Weatherford. My parents Malvin and Wanda Shamblin were cotton and peanut farmers. Dad died in 99 from lung cancer. Graduated from SWOSU with a business degree. My two sisters are LaDonna Hubert and Malva Burrahm. Dennis is my brother. I have been a truck driver for 14 years and have driven 2 million paid miles. I have received many safe driving awards over the years. I am single and have never been married. I have a wide range of interests and am pretty much an open book. Currently I drive a 2006 Freightliner for a major carrier. I dont go to Canada very often. I dont have a dedicated route so I run the entire lower 48. I enjoy reading cinema music sports travel etc. I am gay and versatile.
By Merle Shamblin on Nov 17, 2008