Incidents of school bullying have been on the rise. Or maybe more of it is just now coming to light. A shocking number of bullied kids have killed themselves recently. Some school districts are trying to revise their anti-bullying policy in order to spare more lives. But it is not easy. Even something as rational as this becomes irrational in our society. Here is just one of the problems in finding a solution. Minnesota’s Anoka-Hennepin School District has been reviewing its anti-bullying strategies in the aftermath of a gay student’s suicide. Justin Aaberg, 15, of Andover, Minnesota, hanged himself in his room in July. His friends told his mother he’d been a frequent target of bullies mocking his sexual orientation. Five other students in his Anoka-Hennepin school district have killed themselves in the past year and gay-rights advocates say bullying may have played a role in two of these cases as well. So, it would make sense that they want to review their policy, right? Sounds logical and reasonable. I don’t see that anyone would have a problem with this. Guess again. Even something as needed and rational as reviewing a policy to make sure that it includes specific components targeted to gay youth has been bombarded with hate mail.
Such invective is "some of the worst I’ve ever seen," Superintendent Dennis Carlson said. "We may invite the Department of Justice to come in and help us mediate this discussion between people who seem to want to go at each other." What could be the possible problem? Religious conservatives do not feel the program should have any specific points about gay youth. They believe the approach is unnecessary and manipulative, used to sway young people’s feelings about homosexuality. Wait, what? What the hell century am I in? What planet am I on? Don’t we want to sway young people’s opinion of homosexuality? Or should we continue to encourage discrimination and hate? How is that God-like? Please, explain.
Read more:
WEAR PURPLE ON OCTOBER 20 FOR SPIRIT DAY –
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Religion-based bigotry harms youth
By Mitchell Gold, October 18, 2010
The Washington Post
Wear purple today to support gay teens
by Amy Graff,
October 20, 2010 – The Mommy Files
San Francisco Chronicle
'Spirit Day': 'The View' Ladies Wear Purple To Show Support For Gay Teens (VIDEO),
October 20, 2010
The Huffington Post
Support For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Teens -- Facebook Goes Purple for Spirit Day,
By Ki Mae Heussner, October 29, 2010
ABC News
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