I am a high school student and I'm REALLY sick of hearing people say "That's so gay!" and "So-and-so is a f@ggot!" every day. They think that it is just a harmless phrase but it isn't. How can I get my peers to stop saying such intolerant things?
I realise that high school students will, to some extent, always be idiots, but this is just unacceptable. I've already taken the matter up with the perpetrators, the teachers, and even the principal. I've tried to start a GSA, but it got denied. I've asked people what's homosexual about a homework assignment or whatever they called gay, but that just makes them say more offensive things and laugh about it. Sometimes I think I am the only gay person in my entire school (though, to be fair, it is sort of small).
What do I do?
2007-01-17 10:00:58 · 8 answers · asked by Rat 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
You're right, Rachel, the size of my school is not to blame. The reason that the administration rejected my plan for a GSA is that I attend a Catholic school.
That makes it all the more frustrating, actually. While I don't expect them (the Catholic majority) to stop calling me inherently disordered and contrary to natural law, I do expect them to be at least a little Christlike.
2007-01-17 11:12:43 · update #1
George, I really don't want to be there. I think Catholicism is daft, and I'd much rather be in a public school, but it wasn't my choice.
2007-01-17 15:25:42 · update #2
No, Atropis, I'm not out at school except to my friends. I'm not hiding it, but people don't ask. Some people probably assume that I am since I'm very concerned about gay rights and dress/act like the stereotypical butch.
2007-01-17 15:27:44 · update #3
Take it up again with the principal. Sexual harassment and bullying should not be tolerated in any school. If your parents are sympathetic, get them to speak to the principal as well.
Would the principal or teachers accept it if people were using "black" or "jewish" to mean "bad"? "Oh that's so black/jewish!" I don't think so. Would they accept "So and so is a n*gger" from students? I don't think so.
You are being discriminated against and you have every right to complain. The principal and the teachers should be supporting you.
2007-01-17 10:21:16 · answer #1 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're not getting any cooperation there isn't much you can do except focus on your studies and prepare yourself for getting out of there and into a better place/college where gay issues are still issues but there is a great deal more tolerance. Meanwhile get the best grades you can and get into a good school, on your way to a good career where you can use your talents to their fullest.
And just to that you know, I guarantee you that you are not the only gay student in your class, you are just more advanced emotionally than most.
2007-01-17 10:16:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can't get a GSA started in your school, then see if you can get involved in some other type of group like that outside of school. And if people are harassing you or making you uncomftorable, go to the principal. It's their job to fix that stuff. Btw, I doubt that having a small school is why you don't have a GSA. There are less than 300 kids in my school total, and we have a very large GSA ;)
2007-01-17 11:08:56 · answer #3 · answered by Rachel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have tried to get people to stop using gay in that way and have gotten the same kind of response you did.
My solution was to just ignore them.
Not a good solution, but at least they did not end up saying more offensive things.
2007-01-17 10:35:14 · answer #4 · answered by del.onian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't change the whole world in a day. Like u said people will continue to be idiots and you know what you shouldn't let it get to you. They are not worth your reaction. They can say what ever they want and let it be like air to you. Don't even waste your precious energy on them!
2007-01-17 10:09:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep doing what you're doing. The only way you can get your point across is to educate them. But the world is full of bigoted idiots. Sorry, but thats just the way the world is. Sad but true.
2007-01-17 10:06:53 · answer #6 · answered by *Cara* 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah make the first move. Girls can do that these days. Kissing is or most things associated with it do not need to be discussed. Just go with the flow and stop when it gets too uncomfortable.
2016-05-24 01:20:15 · answer #7 · answered by Trudy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
::fellow catholic highscool survivor::
Are you out at school? Things kinda sucked at my school, and people pretty much just had to deal with it till graduation. There were one or two teachers who were cool, and who made it VERY clear that they wouldn't put up with that ****, but generally...
It just made me really sure that I didn't want to attend a Catholic college.
2007-01-17 13:14:02 · answer #8 · answered by Atropis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋