The Fear Factor

Here’s a look at the cowards who are too scared to go on the record as being against gay marriage. They’re scared? How do they think gays feel when we get bashed for walking down the street, for simply living our lives; when we’re murdered because some timid hetero is afraid of catching gay cooties from our close proximity; when gay kids get beaten and shot by their classmates? Violence and intimidation are no ways to respond to your political opponents, and any gay marriage proponents who engage in such behavior should stop, now. But let’s get one thing clear: this is a democracy, and the only thing secret about it is the ballot. Everything else requires the clear light of day so this country can find its way out of the morass of bigotry and prejudice saddled upon us since our founding. The anti-gay cowards can get back to us when THEY STOP MAKING GAYS AFRAID EVERY FUCKING DAY in some parts of this country.

“The Fear Factor: What happens to democracy when everyone's too scared to show up?” (Slate)

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Utah Youth Founds GSA

All right, what the heck is going on in Utah? This is the second mostly-positive update on LGBT youth issues from that state in the last couple of weeks.

James Bennion, 15, began his project at the start of the year. Six months later, he’s got a GSA well on the way to being started at South Davis Junior High, having gathered 120 signatures from students at the junior high.

High schools were once the domain of GSAs, but in recent years such groups have also become more commonplace at junior high schools, as GLBT youth come out at younger ages and awareness permeates the culture that anti-gay taunts, harassment, and attacks do not have to be accepted as a young gay person’s lot in life.

"I just think people should be able to go to school without fear of being assaulted," Bennion told the press, going on to note that young GLBTs "shouldn’t have to miss days of school for fear of being bullied."

This keeps up and who knows? Maybe seeing the hope-filled faces of these brave gay kids will shame into silence the kind of nasty bigots talked about in the article.

“You’ve have to give people hope.” – Harvey Milk

Utah Youth Founds GSA (Edge Boston)

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Conformity Follies

And his hair isn't even that long! This stupid teacher should have seen me in high school!


This story will make you angry. A teacher in an Ohio school took it upon herself to tease a boy about his long hair in front of other students, with intimations of effeminacy and being gay. Good article here, another one with a TV news report here.

It's bad enough when the kids bully each other, but when the teachers get involved in the harassment, something's gone very wrong. Especially as this hits on some of my bugbears -- growing up gay; gender identity and gender roles; long hair; forced social conformity. Why do some people feel they have the responsibility and the RIGHT to run other peoples' lives? I hope the mother wins her lawsuit and the so-called "teacher" finds herself another career fast, one where she'll be unable to mess up the lives and minds of children.

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