Today there’s another sad reminder that for many homosexual teens, the risks of coming out go beyond getting bullied or angering their parents. An evangelical Christian high school has expelled a 15-year-old girl for saying she’s bisexual on Facebook.
In this CBS Sacramento report, Alexandria Kraft says a teacher at Calvary Christian School confronted her after reading on her Facebook page that she’s dating another girl who is home-schooled. She says the teacher told her “that’s not accepted here,” adding, “Take your books and leave. You’re kicked out.” An administrator then called Alexandria’s mother, Catina Ayala, and asked “if I knew my daughter was gay.” She added that she knows there are other homosexual students at the school and, “If they are going to kick my daughter out, they should kick everybody else out that is bi.”
Even if the policy isn’t spelled out, the school may have the right to expel students for being gay. In 2009, the California Supreme Court ruled that private schools don’t have to follow the state’s civil rights laws. But the school’s actions are still morally reprehensible. Recently, the New York Times reported on how gay students are struggling for acceptance at Catholic and evangelical colleges. Even if the schools specifically banned homosexual conduct, students weren’t immediately expelled for admitting that they’ve experienced same-sex attraction. Some tolerated students saying they identify as gay, even if administrators just want to help “deprogram” them.
Calvary Christian School showed less tolerance to a minor than some religious colleges have for adults. Alexandria wasn’t trying to start a gay-straight alliance or demanding to bring her girlfriend to the prom. She was starting to explore feelings she’d “always been curious” about outside of school. Even if that violates the school’s principals, the way officials dealt with the situation was unbelievably insensitive.
Hi GSA, this is Sarah! I just got my Day of Silence envelope from GLSEN, and in it were these two big red posters! Since DOS is only a week and a half away, we’d get them hung up ASAP.
My question for you guys: where do you think we should hang them?
From an amazing blog, everyoneisgay.
Irish LGBT group launches PSA against homophobic bullying
Irish organization BeLonG To Youth Services just launched an anti-homophobic bullying advertisement as part of their annual “Stand Up!” LGBT Awareness Week. The campaign promotes standing up against homophobic bullying, positive awareness of LGBT people and their supportive families and friends.
For more information on the campaign, visit belongto.org/campaign.aspx
(via Rinsaikeru)
