Chicago may get 'gay high school'

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 12:12am

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/10/10/gay.friendly.school/index.html

I'm very mixed on this issue. I think that the concept of this school, and Harvey Milk High School which seems to be successful in New York, is a good TEMPORARY solution. But it IS a form of segregation, even though non-gay students may choose to attend the school as well. If the majority of homosexual students or heterosexual students who have no issue with homosexuality choose to attend the high school, that separates heterosexual students' expose to their homosexual peers. To be even more of a stranger to them will only increase the mystery of what exactly it means to be gay.

The better solution, I think, is to increase public education of homosexuality. Kids growing up are not exposed to the sexuality of homosexuality. They see mostly heterosexual relationships in the media, at home, in their town, etc. Sex education consists of reproduction, but also practicing safe (heterosexual) sex. I haven't even begun to think about what specifically should be taught in schools, but the uneducation of homosexuality, mixed with the prejudices and negative attachment it has in today's society, sends the wrong message.

So yes, the school is a great safehaven. It probably would provide a positive environment to learn and even encourages education. And that is great for those individual students. However, I think a major side effect is the damage done to the students who attend the regular public schools.

All of this is just my initial thoughts in reaction to the news. Again, I'm very mixed. I think if I knew I were gay in high school, that I would want to attend this school (if for nothing else, to scout out other cute gay boys!). But at that age, I don't think I would even be aware of the potential negative impact that the school has to the community and society.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 12:17am

There is one in Dallas, or at least one that is pretty widely accepting. THat's about all I know.

[Jon]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 11:45am

There's Disney's next franchise: "Gay High School Musical!"

Or is that redundant?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 12:55pm

I think it's wonderful. I only wish we had one in Houston when I was growing up (though I was a charter member of Houston's first gay teen support group back when it was just three of us and two adult sponsors). I would love to have back all that time wasted hiding out at school for hours on end in fear of being violently attacked, which began when I was 8 years old. I agree that education and awareness of homosexuality needs to be increased in public schools, but if cities and states can't even agree on teaching the basic fundamentals of sex ed, then we are still a LONG way off from homo ed and most public schools simply do not have the resources (or in most cases, the interest) in protecting gay students suffering from harrassment and abuse.
Houston Area Teenage Coalition of Homosexuals

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:00pm

Pretty much what Matt said, except I didn't grow up in Houston and I didn't start a gay support group. Everything else though.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:19pm

Forgive me if this sounds rude...my intention is not to offend.

But, I think this is a bad idea. The Gay Rights Movement has been working for DECADES to be considered an equal part of the majority. If there are people who want to be considered a "normal" part of society...why are they taking steps to separate themselves and make further spectacle?

Don't get me wrong. I think it's a nice idea to create a warm and accepting environment for gay students...but isn't that kind of sugar-coating their idea of what the world is really like?

I think it's important for children to be exposed to a variety of ideas and opinions because...when they leave that high school...they're going to realize the world isn't as accepting as their school was.

I went to a normal high school...a CATHOLIC one, no less. And, while I met a few people who were definitely biggoted...I also met a great deal of accepting students and staff. And I think it's important for kids to face opposition and develop some confidence and character.

Updated On: 10/15/08 at 01:19 PM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:27pm

I guess Howard University should be closed as well.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:33pm

I think we can both agree that there's a VERY big difference between high school and college.

And the fact that you treat them as the same is proof that you're just looking for a disagreement.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:35pm

I dont have to look, I simply disagree.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:43pm

If you read the original post...you'll see that the poster also sees the school as a form of segregation. So, I'm not the only one who feels this way. Yet, you choose to respond to my post only.

Case in point...you're looking for an arguement.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 1:47pm

I don't like the idea. How far away is this from "putting all the gays on their very own island"?
I think the money would be better spent to educate the community and work for tolerance.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:03pm

I was responding in general, actually.

I see only a positive to this as an alternative to a mainstream school. It is not segregated as anyone who wants to go there is able to. I'd love to see a day when this is not even an issue, but until that day, having a safe haven for kids to study without even thinking about who's going to beat them that day or to go through their adolescent dating, like every other kid should be able to do. When kids stop killing themselves and stop being murdered and assaulted because they are gay, then I see no need for such a school.

I understand the point that exposure is good for the straight kids and I am all for inclusiveness, but for many gay kids, that is not the reality.

Updated On: 10/15/08 at 02:03 PM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:07pm

I dunno how I feel about this. It just seems to be a way for today's parents to shield their children from the real world even MORE.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:08pm

Don't get me wrong. I think it's a nice idea to create a warm and accepting environment for gay students...but isn't that kind of sugar-coating their idea of what the world is really like?

The real world has proven to be a lot more friendly to me than high school was.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 2:55pm

I disagree with the idea, too. I'm all for equality and acceptance, and I'm sure the people doing this have the best of intentions, but I do think that is a form of segregation, and segregation only opens doors for intolerance and hatred.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 3:16pm

but I do think that is a form of segregation, and segregation only opens doors for intolerance and hatred.

The intolerance and hatred is exactly why this school is being formed. It's less segregated than private schools segregated by gender. The kids and families may choose to enroll there, gay or straight. Nobody is being forced into the school. Personally, I'm not too fond of telling a kid who has just been beaten or been taunted to the point of trying to commit suicide, "Well, that's just how the world is. Suck it up." This school intends to educate its students on issues the other schools choose to ignore. I only hope it leads to more widespread attention to sex education.

The real world has proven to be a lot more friendly to me than high school was.

In terms of gay tolerance, I agree. And I'm not sure how the concept of a school created to tackle the issue of gay tolerance, an issue rarely addressed in public schools, is somehow dodging reality. To me, it seems it is more likely to openly discuss the issues head-on. I think pretending that public schools will teach gay tolerance anywhere in the near future is far more unrealistic.

If there are people who want to be considered a "normal" part of society...why are they taking steps to separate themselves and make further spectacle?

Ever heard of a Pride Parade? Or a gay bar? For decades, we've been separating ourselves and we created not so much a spectacle, but a Cirque du So Gay.

Updated On: 10/15/08 at 03:16 PM

[Brunhilde75]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 3:29pm

I remember a documentary about Harvey Milk High School and the alarmingly high rate of gay teen suicides was the key factor in creating the first gay schools. The founders wrestled with the question of self-segregation and reflecting the real world but ultimately decided it's better to have gay kids who aren't killing themselves.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 3:46pm

Now, it's been a few years since I graduated high school (it was the 90s, though, so I'm not THAT old), but kids are mean. And it's very easy for kids who may not really be cruel by nature to just join along in degradting the fags and dykes (or those perceived to be fags and dykes) simply to fit in, or not draw attention to themselves, or have the thankless task of being the kid who sticks up for the kid being bullied. It's not right, but it's the way it is. The one saving grace is that those people tend to get their heads out of their asses by the time they hit college age, but it doesn't help the kids getting their asses kicked (or worse) in high school.

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 5:44pm

husk---How is the one in Dallas working out?

I imagine if Chicago is considering it, there must have been some positive results.

I'm on the fence about this idea.

On one side, I see this as not much different than any specialty school (including a performing arts high school, a special needs school, a school for geniuses, or a military high school). Are those schools also shielding kids from "the real world?"

On the other side, I see how this could both instill confidence in the kids, as well as create a social experience that just isn't part of the mainstream, unless the kid moves directly from this high school to Chelsea or West Hollywood, or another large community that is widely accepting.

I could see a graduate student of this school having much more confidence to deal with hostile situations or feelings of inadequacy or isolation, but also have less of a grasp of "how the real world works."

I would only hope that part of this school's curriculum would include classes (perhaps required) on how to adjust to a non-gay-friendly environment or social situation. If that were the case, I could see this school as potentially being very beneficial.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 5:51pm

And it's not as if these kids are going to be completely immune and utterly isolated from the rest of the world. They are not being born into a hidden secret cult commune or home-schooled by fanatics. I'm sure there will still be something of a stigma attached when they mention the name of the school they attend to "outsiders". There is no true escape from the real world, but there can be a temporary oasis.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 6:08pm

Well you must also recognize the OTHER reasons why the city would like to have the school:

- decrease violence reports
- increase graduation rate
- potentially increase grades
- etc. etc. etc.

It's a lot to do with numbers for them, in addition to the "protection" that the school offers to students. So for them, just the numbers alone is probably a win-win situation. But at what social cost?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/15/08 at 6:21pm

Precisely. What is the social cost? These kids are not living on campus under lockdown or being permanently thrown into sensory deprivation tanks. It's like saying that kids who attend performing arts schools are unaware that there are corporate or blue-collar job opportunities in the world. Or that there are kids outside of their school who don't study the arts. Many of them are actually acutely aware that they are attending a different school with a different social and academic structure and as such are often better equipped with a more adult perspective upon graduation.