He is targeted with verbal and mild physical abuse from other students (when not in my class). The administration is rural and homophobic so they will not help...only make matters worse. They turn every incident around to make it his fault. In almost every incident he has been the only one given punishment or given the most punishment. They are rude to him, won't listen to him and have really let him know that "his kind" is not wanted in the school. I am leaving this backward district after this school year so I will not be around for long to help.But he will not even tell his mom because he does not want to worry or upset her. I need help and answers. There has to be some legal help I can turn his way. Or maybe a group or organization could lend answers. THANKS!
2006-10-23 02:17:48 · 29 answers · asked by Tammy 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
You need to get his mom involved now. If she refuses to help him, then you will have the moral right to go over her head and seek help for this kid from other sources.
Is the state education authority not able to help? Or is education totally dependant on districts alone in the U.S.?
Maybe the kid should be seeking the right to declare himself an Emancipated Minor, and moving to a bigger town where he won't be targeted quite so drastically?
Unfortunately I think if you don't help this kid, he's going to end up as a statistic with a very small grave marker.
2006-10-23 02:28:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 12⤊ 1⤋
Don't take an off hour. Not when you're a freshman, save that for your senior year. 3 crushes? are you serious? But really, high school photo is no good unless you go to an arts school like I have before. Now i'm back at public high school and i refuse to take photo here. Take Spanish and choir. It doesn't matter if you hate language, you just need to take the classes, college requirements. 2 years of foreign language. I wouldn't take all honors, it's overwhelming. But take Spanish and choir, then there's two less classes you'll have to worry about in the next 3 years. Photo and an off hour will do you no good except 10 not required credits.
2016-05-22 00:54:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me give to you another perspective. Right now, you are working within the paradigm of fixing the problem; however, perhaps the problem is not fixable. I used to be that kid in your class.
One day, I was bashed. The footballers who did it to be all "witnessed" that I tripped and fell into the lockers and they were believed over me. I was called "f__" every day and it was a bad situation for me.
I waited until the end of the school year, and then I used "School of Choice" to transfer to the nearest district. If it's already happening at this school, there's no way that the kids there will forget to tease and ostracize him, no matter what social intervention happens. Perhaps the solution is to transfer schools. I didn't tell my Mom the real reason why I wanted to transfer, but that there were greater academic advantages at the new school. Tell him to think about it, at least, everyone deserves a fresh start sometimes.
2006-10-23 06:37:01 · answer #3 · answered by zea_m 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
unfortunately we live in a very crule country.I don't know your friend and I am sorry this is happening.Can your friend go to school councelors???That might be an answer for him.Maybe he needs to consider talking to his mother.If he were my child I'd want to know,I wouldn't be thrilled about it(because everything I've read says that the imbalance that causes "gay" happens during pregnancy,which would make me feel guilty to a degree) but bottom line is he would still be my child. Sexuality has nothing to do with if I love my child or not.
At his age he should be able to make decisions on his own about some things and only he knows if his mother can handle it.Give MOM credit where credit is do-Parents are not as dumb as you may think.They were your age at one time and your friend is NOT the first "gay" student,and not the first kid to ever be picked on for being different.Gay or not.
If there is no hope of your friend getting away from there anytime soon then he may need to know now that his mother is truely his friend.
I am from Atlanta Georgia where it is a very high count of gay people,most of the ones I've had oppotunity to talk to say they ended up there because the fathers had the hardest time dealing with the news.I wish him the best of luck and if I had a general idea of where he was I'd try to find something nearby for him.It is difficult enough for him to learn to live with the difference without people harrassing him.your friend needs someone to help him look out for himself until he has a grip on how to handle himself.
2006-10-23 03:03:34 · answer #4 · answered by Arla A 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This kid is facing abuse and homophobia...I am sure his mom pays as much taxes as everyone else over there.
I know that you might feel unconfortable to do it, but step up and shout!!! Please, you dont know how much your attitude may affect this child's life. Now he is being turned into a low self esteem person, with no confidence and serious hang ups. You can stop this!! Tell the administration that you will go further and even use the news against them. I am so glad that you are interested in helping this kid and you should do something. Talk to the bullies and even to their parents if you have to. Use the law, and sue them if you have to...Do something please! I am not from the US but there must be a way the government can help this kid and force the school to take action. Good luck, I hope you will be kind and help.
Thank you.
2006-10-23 02:41:27 · answer #5 · answered by Nostromo 5 · 7⤊ 1⤋
I think you should sit down and ask him what he wants to do before you jump in with full barrels. You are leaving and he has to cope with this. I would offer to go with him to talk to his mother. You said he didn't want to worry or upset her, not that he didn't want her to know he was gay, so it sounds like she already knows and maybe is supportive.
If he wants help, help him by contacting the nearest PRIDE organization, or you may want to contact a crisis hotline for gay teens. See if they can recommend someone locally who will take the case pro bono. The school administration does not have the right to choose who they educate and who they don't, but the reality of the situation might be that it might be safer for him to find an alternative to the school.
2006-10-23 03:07:49 · answer #6 · answered by tjnstlouismo 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Try contacting the ACLU or HRC (Human Rights Campaign), write a letter to the editors of national newspapers (to get the word out about what's happening there), contact the Attorney General of your state. The more noise you make about what's happening, the greater chance that someone who's able to do something about it will hear about it. Good luck.
2006-10-24 01:53:03 · answer #7 · answered by Eat At The Y 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is the kind of thing I like to see posted on Answers. Real issues that need real help. Several people have suggested the ACLU and PFLAG. I totally agree!!! That would be the place to start. I commend you for taking a stand for this kid. God knows life is hard enough as it is being a teen and dealing with everyday teen issues. But to be a gay teen...gosh I can only imagine. It makes me thankful that I didn't have these issues to deal with until I was an adult and out of school. Bless you for taking this boy under your wings.
2006-10-23 03:11:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Ultimately, his parents are going to have to get involved. Whether he actually IS gay or not is not an issue: it's an issue that he's being harassed and that nothing is being done because he is percieved to be gay. I would expect the administration to change their tune right quick when his parents threaten legal action.
Lamda legal is a place to start with that (you can google for their website).
2006-10-24 22:10:08 · answer #9 · answered by Atropis 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There have to others (Students) in your school that are like you and wish to help. My suggestion is to gather these students together and approach those in charge. There is power in numbers but as long as he stands alone he will be helpless. If this is not an option then he needs to go outside the schools ruling body to the district head and explain his plight. Refrain from he said she said nonsense as this will look like retribution or getting even. Take with you the facts and only the facts. Also if you are having difficulty in finding friends contact your nearest gay rights office. They can not only give your friend advice but they may also be able to offer reassurance and guidance in this hard time in life. I wish you and your friend the best and good luck. Remember power in numbers is the key to change. Peace.
2006-10-23 02:29:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋