Comments on: Gay teens face difficulties, but often find acceptance at FHS http://www.fairmontflyer.com/fairmont-life/2010/02/05/gay-teens-face-difficulties-but-often-find-acceptance-at-fhs/ The school newsmagazine of Kettering Fairmont High School Sat, 12 Jun 2010 22:40:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Alena Chapman http://www.fairmontflyer.com/fairmont-life/2010/02/05/gay-teens-face-difficulties-but-often-find-acceptance-at-fhs/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Alena Chapman Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:21:10 +0000 http://www.fairmontflyer.com/?p=2354#comment-430 I was surprised when I started at Fairmont this year to find that we had no GSA. Following the 10% rule, that's at least 200 LGBT students in our halls! Next year it is my hope to start up a GSA again at Fairmont, so that everyone can have a place where they feel safe and accepted. :) I was surprised when I started at Fairmont this year to find that we had no GSA. Following the 10% rule, that’s at least 200 LGBT students in our halls! Next year it is my hope to start up a GSA again at Fairmont, so that everyone can have a place where they feel safe and accepted. :)

]]> By: Dakota Carter http://www.fairmontflyer.com/fairmont-life/2010/02/05/gay-teens-face-difficulties-but-often-find-acceptance-at-fhs/comment-page-1/#comment-407 Dakota Carter Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:24:42 +0000 http://www.fairmontflyer.com/?p=2354#comment-407 I think that we should all take a look around at the students around us and ask them if they're straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender; if they are and they are also your friends, you should love them. I for one am sick and tired of the hatred and violence associated with being different. Last time I checked, on the inside we are all the same, but at heart we are all so very diiferent to the point we are gay, lesbian, bisexual, trangender, and/or straight. I think that we should all take a look around at the students around us and ask them if they’re straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender; if they are and they are also your friends, you should love them. I for one am sick and tired of the hatred and violence associated with being different. Last time I checked, on the inside we are all the same, but at heart we are all so very diiferent to the point we are gay, lesbian, bisexual, trangender, and/or straight.

]]> By: Kevin Ross http://www.fairmontflyer.com/fairmont-life/2010/02/05/gay-teens-face-difficulties-but-often-find-acceptance-at-fhs/comment-page-1/#comment-404 Kevin Ross Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:35:45 +0000 http://www.fairmontflyer.com/?p=2354#comment-404 As Kermit the frog reminded us, "It's not easy being green" -- or gay, or a teenager, or different in any way in a world that seems eager to label us. So, it's great to see The Flyer continue to address issues that matter now in the hallways at Fairmont and later as former students become the fabric of who we are as a nation. Not that there's anything wrong with writing about the lunch menu or dress code. . . . As Kermit the frog reminded us, “It’s not easy being green” — or gay, or a teenager, or different in any way in a world that seems eager to label us. So, it’s great to see The Flyer continue to address issues that matter now in the hallways at Fairmont and later as former students become the fabric of who we are as a nation. Not that there’s anything wrong with writing about the lunch menu or dress code. . . .

]]> By: Gregg Wilson http://www.fairmontflyer.com/fairmont-life/2010/02/05/gay-teens-face-difficulties-but-often-find-acceptance-at-fhs/comment-page-1/#comment-399 Gregg Wilson Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:28:37 +0000 http://www.fairmontflyer.com/?p=2354#comment-399 Hello from Melbourne, Australia. Saw this story on a google link that I get. Isn't it amazing that we are all still having these battles in this day and age? I am a teacher in a government secondary school and am the only staff member that is openly gay. The reason I always let my students know I'm gay is because I think there is such a lack of positive gay and lesbian role models for teenagers. Here in Australia, in the government system, no teacher would be fearful of losing their job by being Out, but in a lot of schools, you would certainly be in for one heck of a hard time if the students were aware of your sexuality. Our previous head of the national government has a lot to answer for in terms of this still being a major issue for a lot of people. Mind you, the new guy isn't proving to be much better - he seems to let his religious beliefs override his ethical responsibilities. I have tried to get issues of bullying and inequity for gay and lesbian students on the agenda of various educational publications without any success. It would seem that despite copious amounts of legislation in support of equal rights and status for all citizens, there are still 'nutters' who live in fear of gay and lesbian people having any sort of voice. I don't know anything about your Fairmont school or whether it really is a rarity in the US - but good for the people who have been pushing this agenda and seemingly getting some positive results. I guess it's always going to be a battleground. Are you aware of a new British film by a group called Stonewall? The film is called FIT. I've ordered a copy, hoping I can get it used at my school. Maybe you should take a look at it. Cheers, Gregg Hello from Melbourne, Australia. Saw this story on a google link that I get. Isn’t it amazing that we are all still having these battles in this day and age?

I am a teacher in a government secondary school and am the only staff member that is openly gay. The reason I always let my students know I’m gay is because I think there is such a lack of positive gay and lesbian role models for teenagers.

Here in Australia, in the government system, no teacher would be fearful of losing their job by being Out, but in a lot of schools, you would certainly be in for one heck of a hard time if the students were aware of your sexuality.

Our previous head of the national government has a lot to answer for in terms of this still being a major issue for a lot of people. Mind you, the new guy isn’t proving to be much better – he seems to let his religious beliefs override his ethical responsibilities.

I have tried to get issues of bullying and inequity for gay and lesbian students on the agenda of various educational publications without any success. It would seem that despite copious amounts of legislation in support of equal rights and status for all citizens, there are still ‘nutters’ who live in fear of gay and lesbian people having any sort of voice.

I don’t know anything about your Fairmont school or whether it really is a rarity in the US – but good for the people who have been pushing this agenda and seemingly getting some positive results.

I guess it’s always going to be a battleground. Are you aware of a new British film by a group called Stonewall? The film is called FIT. I’ve ordered a copy, hoping I can get it used at my school. Maybe you should take a look at it.

Cheers,
Gregg

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