I am preparing a term paper regarding a controversial matter: I am against gay student clubs in high schools..

Question

My assignment is to prepare a paper against gay clubs in high schools- what are your feelings on this matter?

Better still, what does the law and the constitution say about it? I want to use mandatory precedents, and I want to use laws rather than speculation and conjecture, in justifiying my assertion that gay clubs in high school is inapppropriate.

I am open minded- so please share your own ideas!

Personally, when it comes to CONSENTING ADULTS, I see no problem with their choices when it comes to sexual activity. However, I think that gay clubs should not be allowed in high schools. Part of the discussions would revolve around explicit sexual subject matter, and that is not productive in a learning environment like school. It doesn't belong.

And what say you?

Answer 1

I think you have a hard fight ahead of you because people opposed to gay-straight clubs have lost every single time in court. I would start looking around to cases where they have been argued in state and federal court documents to see what arguements people have made. But you've really got an uphill battle, since no legal team in this country has suceeded in permenantly disbanding or disallowing GSAs. There is a federal law, the 1984 Equal AccessAct, that protects student clubs.

The only argument I ever hear is that gay kids will use this club as a dating service, which is kinda an odd argument, since any high school club can be used to meet and date people. There is also an assumption that these clubs will talk about explicit sexual matters, when if you look at most mission statements, they are about preventing anti-gay bullying and harassment. And besides, plenty of non-gay clubs will talk about explicit sexual matters. I was in various drama/theatre extra cirriculars in high school, and we talked about sex all the time. So yeah, it is possible that GSA members will talk about sex on the side, but almost every other club or group of teens is going to talk about sex on the side, so that is really not an effective arguement for singling out gay clubs. As for it being non-academic, there are plenty of non-academic groups. I don't think anyone can argue that football or golf is academic.

Answer 2

They should be allowed just like any other student organization. This is a time in many gay people's lives when they need the support the most and not be completly alone. Of course there should be a faculty sponser like there is for every other club. As a side note have you ever been in the schools locker room becuase that involves many discussions revolving around explicit sexual subject matter, and that is not productive in a learning environment like school, that is mostly heterosexual in nature, so how is a gay club going to add signigicantly to the problem?

ps: you go blueowlboy

Answer 3

I say that I was very lucky. I played sports, I was popular, if I hadn't been -- my H/S would have been hellish. I remember wanting, wishing that there was some place supportive in my school -- and the friends I had who also happened to be gay -- who were not necessarily as popular as I was -- wished it far more.

I think that the Gay-Straight alliances are a wonderful idea and a good thing. I support them, and to note, my Rector was instrumental in pushing back a fundamentalist group that attempted to stop the formation of a g/s alliance in one of the local schools.

I think that most gay kids know FAR before they become "consenting" adults what they are. I knew that other boys were special to me and girls were not at 8. I figured out that it was sexual at 11, figured out the name at 13, had my first b/f and came out at 14. The other boys I knew who were gay (except my b/f) hid for years -- afraid and alone -- BUT THEY KNEW, and that's the point. Homosexuality isn't something that pops out full blown at 18 and goes, "oh, and you are gay" -- its something that, depending on your upbringing you struggle with for years. You know what you are, but unless you come from a home like mine, you fight it -- all the time knowing. I think that the pain gay kids feel is society's fault, and I think it is very sad.

As for the Constitution I think that the right to free association (that's probably not the legal name, but I'm not a lawyer) covers this. That and equality laws and amendments. I have no problem with the "conservative Christians" having their club, the "liberal Christians" having their's. I have no problem with their being glee clubs, and yearbook clubs, and for that matter singles clubs -- which some schools have and which are explicitly straight. -- I likewise have no problem with their being African American Clubs, Italian-American Clubs, Anglophile clubs --- and/or gay clubs.

I have to ask, why do you? Please feel free to email me at the address I give below. If it is just an assignment I wonder what school you go to? If it is your personal feeling, I wonder what Church you go to? -- because it is almost certainly religiously based, and I'm glad my church isn't like that.

Regards,

Reyn
[e-mail]

Answer 4

If you're so open minded then why are you against gay clubs in high school. Being open minded means to be accepting no matter what. The teenage years are when a lot of kids discover that they are "different". Being a teenager is difficult and confusing enough. Don't make it harder on those who are confused and/or coming to terms about their sexuality. How would you feel if you wanted to join a club but faced opposition and ridicule from your peers just because they didn't feel it was "right" or "didn't belong"?

Answer 5

I won't help you, since I'm not familiar with US law (assuming you live there), and I've got nothing against "gay clubs".

As far as I know, being able to form a group about any topic you want falls both in the categories of "freedom of speech" and "freedom of association", which are essential components of any democratic society.
If they do this outside of the school hours, what's the harm? As another answerer said, we need society to be a bit more tolerant and understanding with those who are different.
Besides, sexual education, starting from a proper age, is not a bad thing at all, but a very necessary one. Sexual topics are part of "learning" as well. If we don't speak about sexual topics, then how are we supposed to prevent things like unwanted pregnancies and kids ruining their lives with them, abortions or the spread of sexually-related diseases?
I think we need more sexual education and discussion, not less, and not just for gay people either.

Answer 6

One of the pertinent points is that gay student organizations are not sex clubs. They're lifestyle clubs, and ought to enjoy the same protections as clubs for African-American or Latino students.

My high school was not quite so liberated as to offer a gay student club, but I was a member of one on my college campus. Our discussions centered around awareness projects, community service projects, and political issues - with a fair amount of socializing and gossip thrown in.

Depending on where you live and whether you can find one, you might try attending a meeting. If you can't find a high school organization, there's one on just about every college campus. I think you'll be surprised at the subject matter.

Answer 7

Actually you are not totally open minded since your comments indicate you have already decided you are against gay clubs in high schools. I note some who answered this question were good enough to quote legal precedents etc. This is what you asked for but if you are open minded is this what you really want? I also find it interesting that you have been assigned the task of preparing a term paper against gay clubs in high school rather than being assigned the task of researching the issue and basing your conclusions for or against on the research. It sounds like your high school is not open minded on this issue either. Your opinion that discussions involving sexual subject matter is not productive in a learning environment puzzles me. Sexuality is simply the most personal, emotional, intimate and influential emotion a human being can possibly have and generally speaking it is at it's peak during the teen years. How one thinks, acts and responds sexually has a major affect on their future happinesss,lifestyle and well being. Teenagers are sexually mature but emotionally immature. They need and want guidance to help sort out their feelings. What better environment to accomplish this than the high schools? Clubs properly supervised with guest speakers such as professional counsellors, sexologists, phychologists, etc would be of benefit to both straight and gay students. It would also encourage those students to talk one on one with the professionals regarding their specific concerns. I urge you to request your assignment be modified in order for you to write an unbiased report. One which recognizes the responsibility of high schools in preparing students for their future. One which urges your high school to recognize the need to deal with sexual issues gay and straight. If you still conclude that gay clubs are not appropriate then suggest an alternative process for high school teens to get professional group counselling and guidance in a safe, friendly, non-threatening environment. Good luck on your assigment. It's a tough one.

Answer 8

Well, funny thing, we had a Gay Straight Alliance at my high school. Sex was the last thing we talked about. It's more of a way for similar people to get together and let each other know that they have support. I'd like to know how fostering tolerance and acceptance doesn't belong in schools when bullying is such a problem.

As for laws, freedom of speech can be applied. In many cases student organizations cannot be denied if other student organizations are allowed to be formed for other non-academic topics.

Answer 9

As far as clubs in school - the current thinking is that the public schools can not endorse/prohibit any club unless thet club presents a potential threat to the existence of the community or school. Gay clubs do not present this. Also, the club has to meet outside of school class hours.

Look for laws and court cases about religious clubs as well.

Answer 10

well, believe it or not, not all gays are stuck on sex. even then, i would say that's why clubs have at least one or two adult chaperones. as far as the law goes, it doesn't say anything about not being able to have a peaceful gathering or series of peaceful gatherings. i appreciate that you are trying to go for better reasons then religion, since most people protest gay clubs in high school because their religion says it's not right to be gay point blank. i also appreciate trying to keep serious clubs and groups in the high school. the only time anybody should be talking about sex as a joke or the like (not including sex ed which should be taught at high schools and at home).