Gay High

[zipman]

July 28, 2003--
The city is opening a full-fledged high school for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students - the first of its kind in the nation, The Post has learned. "This school will be a model for the country and possibly the world," Principal William Salzman said.

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/1711.htm


What do you think about it?

 

[modest mouse]

Terrible idea.

Blatantly illegal.

 

[Quint]

Unfuckingbelievable.

Still, I'm having some trouble seeing why this is different than, say, an all-girl's school. It's segregation, of sorts, but I'm sure it's optional. They have no more basis for discrimination.

Will wait and see the inevitable furor.

 

[Queersetti]

I don't approve of segregation, but if there are students who are being handicapped in their education because of harassment or discrimination in their schools, I can understand why some might see the need for a program that would function as a sanctuary. I do believe there are better solutions, however.

If gay students are removed from the regular schools, won't the gay bashers in those schools feel they have succeeded in their goal through harassment and intimidation?

 

[zipman]

I don't approve of segregation, but if there are students who are being handicapped in their education because of harassment or discrimination in their schools, I can understand why some might see the need for a program that would function as a sanctuary. I do believe there are better solutions, however.

If gay students are removed from the regular schools, won't the gay bashers in those schools feel they have succeeded in their goal through harassment and intimidation?

My first reaction to it was negative, as segregation (whether voluntary or involuntary) does nothing to increase understanding of other groups. I think that the better course of action is to focus on eliminating harrassment and discrimination in our schools.

I was never really exposed to "openly gay" people until I was in my late teens, and working with lots of gay men over the years opened my eyes to what their life was like, the discrimination they endured and the incredible variety of personalities in that community.

It is through exposure that we take the first steps towards tolerance and acceptance.

 

[Queersetti]

My first reaction to it was negative, as segregation (whether voluntary or involuntary) does nothing to increase understanding of other groups. I think that the better course of action is to focus on eliminating harrassment and discrimination in our schools.

I was never really exposed to "openly gay" people until I was in my late teens, and working with lots of gay men over the years opened my eyes to what their life was like, the discrimination they endured and the incredible variety of personalities in that community.

It is through exposure that we take the first steps towards tolerance and acceptance.

I agree, with the caveat that I believe the safety and the education of the child must be the priorities, and in those cases where the harassment is out of control, I can support removing the students to a safe and workable environment.

 

[HoHoBomb]

Segregation in the Village please!

I think it's a great idea!

 

[glamorilla]

Segregation in the Village please!

I think it's a great idea!

*lol!*

right!

 

[sexy-girl]

If gay students are removed from the regular schools, won't the gay bashers in those schools feel they have succeeded in their goal through harassment and intimidation?

i think i've posted on about 3 threads now on this issue

my thoughts are that its sad that this type of school is needed but it is ... gay students do leave regular schools and when they move schools they sometimes have to move again and again ... so i can understand the need for this sort of thing

hopefully it will bring focus on the issue of needing to make regular schools more accepting to gay teens

 

[zipman]

Segregation in the Village please!

I think it's a great idea!

First off, it is segregation as you are taking one group and isolating them those who are different. What you didn't understand about my post was that the fact that the school is located in the village in no way makes it less segregationist.

Exposure to different people and lifestyles is what makes people more tolerant as they see that they are not really so different from themselves. Putting all the gay kids in one High School seems like sweeping a perceived problem "under the rug" rather than addressing the real issue, which is teaching children tolerance of other people.

Schools should be safe for all children, gay, fat, disabled, black etc.

Creating seperate schools for each only makes the problem worse.

 

[Queersetti]

First off, it is segregation as you are taking one group and isolating them those who are different. What you didn't understand about my post was that the fact that the school is located in the village in no way makes it less segregationist.

Exposure to different people and lifestyles is what makes people more tolerant as they see that they are not really so different from themselves. Putting all the gay kids in one High School seems like sweeping a perceived problem "under the rug" rather than addressing the real issue, which is teaching children tolerance of other people.

Schools should be safe for all children, gay, fat, disabled, black etc.

Creating seperate schools for each only makes the problem worse.

I think there is a world of difference between "putting all" gay kids in a separate facility, and providing a safe haven for victims of harassment.

 

[Etoile]

Nobody seems to realize that the school has been around for almost twenty years. Harvey Milk School opened in 1984! It's going public now, that's all. Here's what I wrote on my site yesterday:

MSNBC has an article on the "creation" of the Harvey Milk High School. This kind of surprised me, because the school has in fact been around since 1984. Apparently it's going public now, though, and fortunately it has the support of NYC mayor Mike Bloomberg. Also quoted in the article is the state conservative party chairman, Mike Long, who says "There’s no reason these children should be treated separately." Obviously he's never been a gay high school student. The Hetrick-Martin Institute, which runs the school, has statistics on queer youth from the 1980s that indicated the school's creation was warranted then. There are more recent statistics from the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network that show there is still a need for a safe environment for gay students so they have the same access to learning that all other children do.

 

[ScottyBoy900Q]

Nobody seems to realize that the school has been around for almost twenty years. Harvey Milk School opened in 1984! It's going public now, that's all. Here's what I wrote on my site yesterday:

i had heard on the news last evening that the entire school hasnt had this sort of a program till now. according to cnn, the harvey milk school was the first school to have a seperate program for gays. i didnt hear anything about the entire school functioning in the same manner.

i think that the idea may be an understandable one at hart, but what are these children going to face once they get out of school. is the school going to teach them how to deal with discrimination? are they going to be exposed any anti-gay sentiments while in their school? I fear that they may go to school and then loose their ability to function in the real world after they are through with it

 

[Etoile]

No, that's what it was. The Harvey Milk School, run by the Hetrick-Martin Institute, was a school for gays. Not a separate program, a separate school. The school was named for the late San Francisco supervisor who was murdered (along with Mayor George Moscone) in the early 80s. (It's from memory and I'm too lazy to look up an exact year, heh.)

Interesting that they now only allow NYC residents to apply for enrollment. I thought they'd previously allowed students from across the country, provided they could move to the NYC area after acceptance to the school.

ScottyBoy900Q raises an interesting point about the kids getting out into the real world, though. Hopefully there will be classes/assemblies on sociology/psychology and dealing with discrimination in the workplace, etc.

 

[modest mouse]

Hopefully it will bring focus on the issue of needing to make regular schools more accepting to gay teens.

It will probably to the opposite.

Nobody seems to realize that the school has been around for almost twenty years. Harvey Milk School opened in 1984! It's going public now, that's all.

Everyone who read the article realizes that its been around for a period of time. But the difference between a private school and one financed with tax money is massive.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Ok...I don't see it as a bad thing.

First of all, the children who are attending are at serious risk of dropping out or physical harm to themselves. As a teacher...you take the child out of the dangerous situation first, then you deal with the situation that caused it.

Secondly, girls schools are amazing places. I am the product of a women's college and I wish I could go back and do women's ed from K-12. I was a much more self assured, less Reviving Ophelia kind of woman after 4 years in a women's environment. Who's to say that the same wouldn't be true of the children who choose to be in this type of school.

Thirdly...it's a choice. The children who are attending are making that choice. It isn't forced segregation, it isn't a subpar education. And if it is where some of these kids feel safe, then go for it.

Here's the thing, especially for those who are giving that whole "real world" arguement. They're 14-18. They aren't in the real world...no 14-18 year old is ready for "the real world". For that matter, neither are many 22 year olds. Give them a safe environment to solidfy their confidence and sense of self and they'll be fine. I got the same bullshit argument about attending a women's institution. And I'm fine.

Good for NYC

 

[Etoile]

Everyone who read the article realizes that its been around for a period of time. But the difference between a private school and one financed with tax money is massive.

People who read the articles are aware, but the general buzz leaves out the fact. Thanks for mentioning that it's financed with tax money now, though - I'd forgotten that (admittedly important) part of what a "public school" really is. (Funny, since I did attend public school.)