Parents Say Schools Won't Stop Gay Bullying Despite 4 Student Suicides in a Single Year

[The Straight Story]

Parents Say Schools Won't Stop Gay Bullying Despite 4 Student Suicides in a Single Year

MINNEAPOLIS (CN) - Parents say four children were bullied daily at school for their perceived sexual orientation, being urinated on and told to "kill yourself" - which some did try to do - and the Anoka-Hennepin School District's response was to tell the kids to "lay low" or "stay out of people's way." This despite four student suicides because of such bullying within a single school year.

In their federal complaint, the parents say Anoka-Hennepin School District No. 11 and its School Board encourage gay-bashing by its districtwide policies that single out lesbian, gay, and bisexual students.

"The epidemic of anti-gay and gender-based harassment within district schools is rooted in and encouraged by official district-wide policies singling out and denigrating LGBT people, and them alone, as unworthy of being mentioned, let alone protected, in district classrooms. In the mid-1990s, the district adopted a health curriculum policy prohibiting teachers from teaching that homosexuality is 'normal' or a 'valid lifestyle.' According to the anti-gay organization that lobbied the District to adopt that rule, such a policy was necessary because 'the homosexual lifestyle does not reflect the community standards of District #11, nor is it regarded as a norm in society,'" according to the complaint.

The parents say the school district's 2009 "Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy" prohibits teachers from teaching about sexual orientation because it is not part of the district's curriculum. They claim this policy "amended and expanded the district's anti-gay policy to go beyond the health curriculum. That revised policy is still in effect today."

http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/07/25/38425.htm

[MrScorpio]

1. If I had the cash, I would offer free karate lessons to any victim of bullies

Bullies only understand ONE language… Having their asses kicked.

[Arctic Dave]

2. Plus one thousand. Nt

[slackmaster]

6. That's correct, MrScorpio!

All it takes is one good ass-kicking to stop most bullies.

[SteveM]

3. Bullies and the "bully culture" are in dominance...

Which explains why so many folks obsess on bullies and the power they wield, not only on their peers, but on school administrations; after all, any bully knows they can get any teacher in trouble for anything ("he grabbed my junk," "he abused me," he talked mean to me," etc.). As disturbing as it may seem, the average bully has far better self-esteem than most of his classmates; prestige in his immediate group, respect from others, sex, the power of impunity, etc.

It's no wonder that reactionary politicians use the same shit: All they hear is whining, which is quite enticing to do some more.

[MedicalAdmin]

8. That is one of the reasons I am no longer a teacher.

Although it is not a top 10 reason. Although I really dislike kids like this, it is the parents that need to be taken behind the woodshed....

[jwirr]

4. Then those parents had better come up with the money to bail their

putrid example of a school out when they get sued.

[slackmaster]

5. Sometimes you have to take control of the situation and fix the problem yourself.

The only thing a bully understands is force.

[gatorboy]

7. Did this occur in Bachmann's district?

n/t

[MedicalAdmin]

9. No - it is just to the east of her district, but it isn't far away...

This sucks. I have zero tolerance for bullies.

[Mariana]

10. Many of the acts described in this article are crimes.

Some of them are felonies. In our society, we have a system in place to deal with crimes - the police and the courts. Parents, if your child is the victim of a crime, the proper action is to contact the police and file a complaint. This is true even when the crime happens to take place at a school, no matter how much the school administrators try to convince you otherwise. Violent criminals need to be prosecuted.

[exboyfil]

13. Some punks threw rocks at my daughter and her friend

while on school grounds. One struck her friend. If it had struck my daughter, then I would have had assault charges filed against the punks. As it was I emailed a description of the event to the Vice Principal along with a statement that I expect that this problem be resolved. So far no additional issues, and my daughter is moving on to a different school next year.

I was terrorized while in Junior High and my first year of High School. I considered suicide. The administration did nothing. That is why I am strongly in favor of school choice including virtual school if necessary. I would not hesitate to remove my daughters and homeschool them if they are in danger, but I have the resources to let me do this. For families who don't have the resources, school is a prison with no way to escape.

[Cool Logic]

11. There's not a whole lot schools can do...

Bullying has been around as long as kids have been around. However, in the past, very few reacted to it by committing suicide. Sad...

[ck4829]

12. What's described here is not a case of 'just bullying', but instead battery

Gay, straight, whatever. At this point, they're breaking the law by not going to the authorities.

K&R.

[Fearless]

14. What is engrained in culture is engrained in school too.

If you want to stop bullying you need to look to the community.

[Trillo]

15. Humans seem to treat pets better than they treat each other. n/t