Gay Holiday's in November?

[Act0r721]

Posted: 9/20/05 at 7:16pm

Are there any? This is school-related, but I didn't think enough to be located to the student board. Pleeeease don't move it. I hate that board! HaHa.

I wrote an article for my school newspaper about the importance of coming out and ended it with "Celebrate National Coming Out Day this year on October 11, 2005." However, I am facing battles with censorship. I didn't know anything about it until today, when I was called down to the principal and found out that it gone up to the principal and further up to the superintendent. They even consulted an attorney.

Anyway, the article for sure won't see this month, but I am hoping to get it in next month by changing the small things that legally allow them to not print it.

I still want to publish it with something about a gay holiday, though. Are there any in November? Eesh. BTW, November because we print the last Friday of every month.
Updated On: 9/20/05 at 07:16 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/20/05 at 7:17pm

Wait---what is it that they can't publish?

[Act0r721]

Posted: 9/20/05 at 8:01pm

The three things my principal clearly pointed out that she claims clearly legally protect them, as being sufficient reasons for censorship, were these:

1.) Use of a teacher's name without permission (I just removed it)
2.) Referring to my town as churchtown (I changed it to conservative and Christian)
3.) Wording the mention of the holiday so that it might seem school sponsored or something. (As the article for sure won't be in the school newspaper for National Coming Out Day, I removed it. I am looking to find some other holiday or day of rememberance or something, though and then I will reword it.)

[Liam]

Posted: 9/20/05 at 8:04pm

can you PM or email or im e the artical you wrote? i would like to see it.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/20/05 at 8:06pm

I think the next thing is Pride Month--June. Maybe you can make it general--about how anytime is a good time to come out and that this country is so torn right now.

[gymman]

Posted: 9/20/05 at 8:32pm

Are you referring to "Coming Out Day" in November?

[Calvin]

Posted: 9/20/05 at 9:38pm

Not gay per se, but close -- November 20 is the Transgender Day of Rememberance (set aside to rememember those in the transgender community who were killed in hate crimes).

What sort of school district/area are you in? Keep fighting 'em, dude.

[Act0r721]

Posted: 9/20/05 at 10:26pm

gymman- No, National Coming Out Day on October 11.

http://www.hrc.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Coming_Out/Get_Informed4/National_Coming_Out_Day/Index.htm

Calvin- Yeah, I saw that one on earthcalendar.net, but I didn't think it was relevant enough to my article. Thanks, though. I'm in a 9-12 high school in a rich suburb of Chicago.

Liam- Here is the article, as I originally turned it in. I edited it to just remove names and crap, though.

The Importance Of Coming Out
By: Stephen (*Last Name*)

I have vaguely known I was gay since the third grade. I’m not quite sure when I fully embraced it and became ready to tell others, but I know that I did first come out during the spring break of my sophomore year. I came out to a best friend, one whom I knew I could trust and count on for support. I already knew that she was completely gay-friendly and I could not have received a better response from her. The next girl I told was also a best friend, still is, but there was some trouble associated with her, in that she told someone else. It was understandable, but as a tip for those looking to come out, if you only want that one person to know, stress just how completely you want them to keep it to themselves. That friend who is reading this, I love you, still! HaHa. Anyway, soon, I told a third friend and then openly told a bunch of friends who did not attend (*My School*). Soon, I had my first boyfriend and that was when I became comfortable enough to tell all of my friends. In the June of that year, I came out to all of them.

While (*My Town*) is considered church town, I have to say that I still found my friends to be the most accepting and loving group one could ask for. After coming out, I couldn’t believe it took me so long to do so. Coming out has not been a completely easy process, what with the trouble of someone telling my parents and the drama that came with that. Even then, though, it all turned out for the best.

My main objective of this article, though, was to urge other homosexuals to come out themselves. Even if it is just to one friend, letting out that huge secret is such a relief. Hopefully, the friend you choose to trust will give you such a positive response that you will gain the confidence to tell more people and it will become easier and easier to tell people. Even in Mr. (*Teacher*)’s psychology class, we read about a study that linked increased physical illness to the concealment of homosexual identity. It’s basic; it’s not healthy to hide who you are from everyone in your life.

The other important thing is that you are doing the gay community no help when you yourself will not embrace it within yourself. People develop stereotypes about homosexuals because they don’t know many. If they found that one of their close friends was gay, especially one that they had never suspected, they would be forced to reevaluate their opinions. Don’t be afraid to be honest.

I speak from the experience that I know best, which is homosexuality and while my main point of this article was to be true to that if you happen to be homosexual, the larger theme can also be taken. Be who you are because covering it up is never going to help you. If you are only putting up a facade for people to like, then they don’t really know you and thus, can’t truly like you until they know who you are. The friends that you really want are the ones that like you for your true self.

Celebrate National Coming Out Day this year on October 11, 2005.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 10:16am

Palm Springs Gay Pride is Nov 4-6
We have our festival and parade then because it's too hot in June
Palm Springs Pride

[Elphaba]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 10:21am

ActOr........I cannot tell you how moved I am by your article. I wish I had felt that free when I was in school. It truly shows how far we've come.......which is a long way since the day in Jr. High I came to school to see, on several doors
"my last name" is a fag.

Ironically........the guy that did it called me some 35 years later to apologize.......

I hope they do print it. It is a wonderful article!

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 10:34am

i think cherry jones's birthday, 11/21, is a gay holiday. if it's not, it should be.

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 1:12pm

That's awesome ActOr! I wish I could have been as brave and open as you are. I waited WAY too long to come out and missed out on alot of love and happiness. Stay true, my friend!

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 3:05pm

Actor,

If your article doesn't get printed, feel free to print it yourself, and hand it out at school. There are a number of legal resources you can consult as well. PM me if you need some phone numbers to call...lots of organizations are there to help you.

You are an inspiration! Keep up the good work!

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 3:39pm

best of luck with this wonderful project. bravo!

[Act0r721]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 4:48pm

Thanks for all of the encouragement, everyone.

I handed in the small editing I did this morning to the head of newspaper and met with her after school. She made some small grammatical changes and suggested I write an intro that starts out more broad, as the conclusion is, rather than just jumping right into my personal experience. She told me that before, she would have just put my article into the paper somewhere. Now, though, she feels so strongly about getting it in that when it does (hopefully), she is going to put it on the front page so that everyone will read it.

For this month's issue, if she finds that the layout permits, she wants to leave a blank space where she believes that my article should have been. So, it's nice that the lady who is in charge of newspaper is such a strong advocate.

Elphaba- I don't think that Palm Springs is applicable enough, but thank you.

touchmeinthemorning- Thanks. My dad is a lawyer so if it came to that point, I would already have lots of connections. HeH.

Beaverhausen- I don't know about AIDS and its relevancy to my article. Plus, possible bashers don't need another person telling them to link homosexuality and AIDS, even though they are. Hopefully, my article will be out for the month of November, too, anyway.

Posted: 10/20/05 at 1:19am

Stephen - keep pushing. It is EXACTLY this type of personal committment that will move us out of the cage we have lived in for so long. Please know that you have the spiritual - and perhaps, in some cases, physical - support of an entire community behind you.

Also, never forget that you are able to do what you are doing because of some enormous sacrifices made in the name of this cause by others before you.

You have truth on your side, and the integrity of your existence. Hold strong, be safe - and love deeply when you get the chance.

Bless you

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 1:27am

I applaud you for your fight. I think your letter could use a revise or two to tighten and trim your thoughts. Do you have a teacher that would be willing to play editor for you? It's always wise to have someone who would be your principal's peer help you shape it to communicate stronger.

Also, check out my blog for possible supporting arguments--That's what I've been using my blog for--to collect arguments in this fight.

Updated On: 10/20/05 at 01:27 AM

Posted: 10/20/05 at 1:31am

Very good idea, Jerby. The only thing I would add is to make sure the 'mentor' has a sensitivity to the personal nature of the struggle - the raw emotion and feeling of it should not be lost.

And thank YOU for taking the time and effort to work within the framework of what you have available to further the cause!

[KelRel]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 8:35am

I am thoroughly impressed by your passion and maturity. You are an inspiration to many of us as to the quality of students coming from our public schools. Keep fighting and good luck dear!

Posted: 10/20/05 at 8:35am

Stephen, my view would be to take an approach that is in line with your constitutional right of free speech.

Print your original article, as you intended (minues the names that specifically identify other individuals or your town) on a single sheet of paper. On the reverse side a brief statement that says the article was censored from the school newspaper, denying you right to express your opinion. Make about 1,000 copies.

Each day, before school starts, during lunch, and after school, position yourself across from the school and off school property (very important) and hand-out the sheet to passers by. You don't have to say anything more than, "Please take a copy of my article."

It will not be long before your principle and the local board of education find themselves having to publicly defend their decision to engage in censorship in the very halls where they are teaching The Constitution and the liberties it guarantees.

To my way of thinking that take the problem and gives it right back to those who created it, and you can get your opinion out.

As for the holiday, you might try the hook connecting November 11th, Veteran's Day, and the thousands of gay men and woman who have served our country in previous generations, many losing their lives, in order to protect the liberties that your principle is denying you.

[KelRel]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 8:49am

To add to Jose`'s thoughts, you might also want to point out that those same gay and lesbian men and women who died serving our country still are unable to express their sexual orientation publicly. Even if they are out before they join they must go back in the closet to be able to serve. Don't ask, don't tell is a form of censorship too.

Posted: 10/20/05 at 8:49am

Excellent idea, Jose'. Perhaps enlisting some willing help might not be a bad idea. I'm not fond of thinking negatively, BUT, it might be safer to have a little 'safety in numbers' thing going on. How wonderful would it be if a couple of those football players would help!

And the notion of Veteran's Day is inspired. It might take just a bit of forethought to make the connection clear yet concise, but a powerful statement could be made - especially since we're seeing constitutional rights denied that the vets' sacrifices supposedly guaranteed.

[RobbO]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 9:01am

has your principal discussed with you specific reasons for not wanting to print the article other than minor changes which, incidentally, you don't need permission for (i.e. using a teacher's name in an article).

is he trying to protect you? is there some concern for your welfare?

[Jon]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 9:25am

Elphaba - the guy who called you 35 years later to apologize - was his name Earl?


Will the article come out by October 31? Halloween is a pretty gay holiday!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 10/20/05 at 10:07am

lol, Jon.....actually it was John