World-Shaker

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Watterson Teacher Wants Job Back: “That’s All I’m Hoping For”

When Carla Hale, 57, received her termination letter from Bishop Watterson Principal Marian Hutson, Hale said she was in, “total shock. Like your legs had just been cut out from under you.”

The letter was from the Columbus Diocese and signed by Hutson.

“I turned to the principal and I said, ‘Are we talking like immediately? Am I supposed to leave the building?’ And she just, she said, ‘Yes.’”

That was March 28, and Hale hasn’t been back since.

Hale is gay. And she said that is the reason the Columbus Diocese fired her, for what it said was a violation of moral law.

Moss Point schools ignore harassing anti-gay environment, Southern Poverty Law Center says →

Holmes, who attended the junior high for 1 semester during the 2011-2012 school year, said she was forced to leave the school after being incessantly tormented by peers and faculty members.

She sought help from her principal, she said, but the principal told her, “I don’t want a dyke in this school.”

For the first 3 days of school, she was repeatedly referred to as “he” by teachers even though she told them she was a “she.”

Holmes said teachers and students called her “it,” “queer,” “freak,” “alien,” “dyke” and “he-she,” and teachers denied her access to the girls’ restroom.

“They don’t even know me,” Holmes, who is now homeschooled, said during the media event.

Shameful.

At CPAC, GOP Makes Push For Young Voters : NPR

My favorite part was at 3:35 when a young woman tries to make the case that Modern Family is actually a conservative show because, get this: Cam and Mitchell are married and have an adopted child. Because “family is a really conservative thing.” 

So apparently anyone who’s not conservative has no interest in ever getting married. And she’s completely side-stepped the dramatic irony that her party has made it impossible for a real-life Cam and Mitchell to get married in dozens of states.

Question: Does the Republican party have any intention of trying to live in America with the rest of America? 

"Just because I believe that states should have the right to define marriage in the traditional way does not make me a bigot."

—

Marco Rubio

Actually Mr. Rubio, here’s the definition of a bigot:

a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group with hatred and intolerance (source)

Which means supporting legislation directly targeted at our gay neighbors to deny them a basic right every other of-age member of American society can enjoy is bigoted. Period.

Bigoted Indiana teacher, Diana Medley, who wants a “straight prom” gets the Billy Madison treatment.

This woman is the perfect example of people who make teachers look bad. Here’s a tip: She’s not a teacher. She’s not. Maybe on paper. Maybe that’s what her district calls her. But this is not what a teacher does.

(by fbombrocks)

"Homosexual students come to me with their problems, and I don’t agree with them, but I care about them. It’s the same thing with my special needs kids, I think God puts everyone in our lives for a reason."

—

That awkward moment when a TEACHER compares being gay to having Down Syndrome.

UPDATE: Local Students Want “Traditional Prom”, Gays Banned

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puttingsocialbackinsocialstudies:

knowhomo:

LBGTQ* Safety and Ally Assistance

(photo from University of Richmond’s Common Ground)

(following text from Youth Pride, Inc)

Ten suggestions for reducing homophobia in your environment

1. Make no assumption about sexuality. If a student has not used a pronoun when discussing a relationship, don’t assume one. Use neutral language such as “Are you seeing anyone” instead of “Do you have a boyfriend”. Additionally, do not assume that a female student who confides a “crush” on another girl is a lesbian. Labels are often too scary and sometimes not accurate. Let students label themselves.

2. Have something gay-related visible in your office. A sticker, a poster, a flyer, a brochure, a book, a button… This will identify you as a safe person to talk to and will hopefully allow a gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning youth to break his/her silence. SAFE ZONE campaign stickers and resources can provide this visibility.

3. Support, normalize and validate students’ feelings about their sexuality. Let them know that you are there for them. If you cannot be supportive, please refer to someone who can be. Then work on your own biases by reading, learning and talking to people comfortable with this issue. And always remember, the problem is homophobia not homosexuality.

4. Do not advise youth to come out to parents, family and friends as they need to come out at their own safe pace. Studies show as many as 26% of gay youth are forced to leave their home after they tell their parents. IT IS THEIR DECISION and they have to live with the consequences. Help them figure out what makes sense for them.

5. Guarantee confidentiality with students. Students need to know their privacy will be respected or they will not be honest about this important issue. If you cannot maintain confidentiality for legal reasons, let students know this in advance.

6. Challenge homophobia. As a role model for your students, respond to homophobia immediately and sincerely. Encourage in-service trainings for staff and students on homophobia and its impact on gay and lesbian youth.

7. Combat heterosexism in your classroom. Include visibly gay and lesbian role models in your classroom.

8. Learn about and refer to community organizations. Familiarize yourself with resources and call them before you refer to make sure they are ongoing. Also, become aware of gay-themed bibliographies and refer to gay-positive books.

9. Encourage school administrators to adopt and enforce anti-discrimination policies for their schools or school systems which include sexual orientation. The language should be included in all written materials next to race, sex, religion, etc.

10. Provide role models. Gay and straight students benefit from having openly gay teachers, coaches and administration. Straight students are given an alternative to the inaccurate stereotypes they have received and gay students are provided with the opportunity to see healthy gay adults. You, as teachers, can help by making gay and lesbian students feel more welcome.

Suggestions compiled by Youth Pride, Inc.

Every teacher can and should be an ally to their LGBT students.

Best Buy Employee Wrongly 'Outed' Denver Man →

A heterosexual man in Denver claims that a Best Buy employee wrongly “outed” him on Facebook after he left his phone for repair.

Rich Dewberry said he brought in his mobile device to get fixed and was given a new phone. Shortly afterward, his Facebook status read, “I am gay, I’m coming out.”

“The phone just started ringing constantly after that from [an] ex-spouse to friends,” he told ABC’s Denver affiliate, KMGH.

Dewberry said he was logged into his Facebook account on the phone he left with the store.

“I feel I have been humiliated. My reputation has been tarnished,” he said.

I’m not sure what’s more offensive: A Best Buy employee abusing their access to a customer’s private data, or that both the employee and the victim think there’s something wrong with being gay.

Actually, I know what’s more offensive.

I’m a Tumblr blogger, and I have no tolerance for intolerance.

If I see another blogger call something “gay,” or use the f-word (and not the one that rhymes with truck), I’m blocking that person and reporting the post as abusive.

You’re welcome to reblog if you agree.

UPDATE: Aaaand we’ve already got the Freedom of Speech argument. Hey, the 1st Amendment gives you the right to say or type what you want (with about eight defined limitations). But if I see it I’m blocking you because I don’t want to see it. And I’m reporting it because the Terms of Service of Tumblr, which every user agreed to when they signed up, specifically prohibits hateful content. So yes, I will report it. No, I won’t apologize for that.

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Manhattan’s first legally married same-sex couple.

But…but why are my eyes leaking?

Google Chrome: It Gets Better (by googlechrome)

Family.

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Lesbian and Gay Rights in the World [INFOGRAPHIC]

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mydaywithd:

“You know, keeping people from saying the word ‘gay’ isn’t going to keep people from being ‘gay.’” - Jon Stewart, May 11, 2011

I know where the apostrophe goes.