Advocates for anti-bullying and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender) rights are on opposite sides after the news broke of the staff of a school in Alpine School District in Utah informing a student's parents of the boy's sexual orientation. It all started with a class assignment. Students were to create an advertisement of themselves and projects would be displayed in the classroom. One 14 year old student had chosen to do his assignment on being gay. His teacher had asked him afterward if he was sure he wanted it displayed in the classroom and the student said that was what he wanted. This would be the first time the student was publicly out. The staff of the school recognized the potential for bullying this posed and asked the boy if it would be okay to talk to his parents about this. He agreed but didn't wish to participate in the meeting. This meeting is where the line was drawn between the two sides.
LGBT advocates have stated the school has no business in outing a student to their parents, that it should be the student's choice. There is always a risk when someone chooses to be out, especially to family. How will they react? How will things change? Will they be welcome at home anymore?
The school has not backed down from their decision and have their own supporters. The staff have decided to be proactive against bullying and realized bullying against the student would likely increase if he became out to the rest of the school. Fearing for the student's safety, they felt his parents should be informed.
Amid the controversy is the growing issue of bullying in schools. Over 160,000 children miss school each day out of fear and intimidation and 71% feel bullying is a problem in their school. A staggering 90% of middle school students report being bullied in some form and over 19,000 students attempt suicide each year because of bullying.
The risks of bullying are even higher among LGBT teens. Nine out of ten LGBT teens have reported being bullied with 44% being sexually harassed and 22% being physically assaulted. Gay and lesbian students are two to three times more likely to commit suicide due to the harassment and five times more likely to miss school because they feel unsafe. They are more likely to be targets of bullying with a 2005 study showing the second most common reason for being bullied being sexual orientation, whether it was actual or perceived.
On top of the harassment itself is the damage caused by the appearance of inaction. Among incidents reported by LGBT teens, one third of the staff didn't take action to resolve the issue. Disciplining has always been treated as a private matter but with bullying it creates the appearance among students that nothing is being done about it. It's treated as the staff silently condoning the behavior and drawing a line in the sand. Those who don't stand against the bully are believed to be on the bully's side which leaves the victim feeling lonely and isolated.
Lost among the controversy are the triumphs that can be found in this story. A 14 year old boy felt confident enough in himself to out himself to his fellow students and is brave enough to face the bullying that may result from it. Also, a school has taken the initiative to putting an end to bullying and ensuring the safety of its students. These small victories can't be ignored when bullying is such an issue for us today.
Source: makebeatsnotbeatdowns.com
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