NYC to open first Gay Public High school

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-07-28 05:56pm

First public gay high school to open in NYC
Monday, July 28, 2003 Posted: 3:18 PM EDT (1918 GMT)

Harvey Milk High School will open in this newly renovated New York City building in the fall.

RELATED
• Hetrick-Martin Institute
• New York City Department of Education

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York City is creating the nation's first public high school for gays, bisexuals and transgender students.

The Harvey Milk High School will enroll about 100 students and open in a newly renovated building in the fall. It is named after San Francisco's first openly gay city supervisor, who was assassinated in 1978.

"I think everybody feels that it's a good idea because some of the kids who are gays and lesbians have been constantly harassed and beaten in other schools," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday. "It lets them get an education without having to worry."

The school is an expansion of a two-classroom public school program that began in 1984. A gay-rights youth advocacy group, the Hetrick-Martin Institute, has managed and financed the program since its inception.

The new school's principal, William Salzman, said the school will be academically challenging and will follow mandatory English and math programs. It also will specialize in computer technology, arts and culinary arts.

State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long criticized the creation of the school.

"Is there a different way to teach homosexuals? Is there gay math? This is wrong," Long said. "There's no reason these children should be treated separately."

The Hetrick-Martin Institute's Web site says the school will give its students "an opportunity to obtain a secondary education in a safe and supportive environment. ... We believe that success requires the ability to respect and value the diverse human community."

Now this is a case where I'm not sure if this is legal. I do believe the ACLU immediately attacked the first all girl high school before it even opened. It will be interesting to see if they do the same here or of the strong gay lobby here shuts teh ACLU up.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-07-28 06:05pm

Great idea. As we all know, nothing encourages different groups to see each other as brothers in the human family than segregation. Gays and lesbians are being picked on in their schools, so what's the solution? Expel the assholes who can't be bothered to act like decent human beings? Or give them exactly what they want: a school "cleansed" of homosexuals?

Hamel · Post by **Hamel** » 2003-07-28 06:23pm

If it looks and smells like PC bullshit...

Tribun · Post by **Tribun** » 2003-07-28 06:28pm

Hamel wrote:If it looks and smells like PC bullshit...

No...

it IS PC bullshit!

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-28 06:29pm

Atleast I know where I should be enrolling for 12th grade.. >D

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-07-28 06:34pm

on the one hand, it will prolly protect people from bigots. . .

on the other, it appears to be segregation.

hmm. . .

Gambler · Post by **Gambler** » 2003-07-28 06:44pm

I think RedImperator summed it up pretty well.
So they want to segregate because the teachers and directors of the schools can't do their job and stop the bigots from picking on gays? What a wonderfull solution!

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-28 06:51pm

if anything this should eb voluntary and nonexclusive. like my local youth group. we're meant for glbt kids, but theres this straight girl that comes to group and everyone loves her. shes great.

the school shouldnt be /for gay/, it should just be run by glbt teachers and staff.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2003-07-28 06:52pm

If I beat up enough black kids at my school, will they also be bused elsewhere?

Gil Hamilton · Post by **Gil Hamilton** » 2003-07-28 06:54pm

I'm not sure it's a good idea. If they wanted to encourage people to get over issues with homosexuality, segregation is the worst thing you can do. After all, if gay students don't want to be treated differently than anyone else, they aren't helping themselves by phsyically seperating themselves doesn't help at all.

Howedar · Post by **Howedar** » 2003-07-28 07:05pm

Of course, once they get out of high school, they won't be able to work with straights and straights won't be able to work with them.

Whats next, gay colleges, then gay cities (well, we've got SF...), gay companies?

This sets a bad precident. Unless non-straights have different educational requirements than straights, I don't see anything good coming of this.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-07-28 07:06pm

Gil Hamilton wrote:I'm not sure it's a good idea. If they wanted to encourage people to get over issues with homosexuality, segregation is the worst thing you can do. After all, if gay students don't want to be treated differently than anyone else, they aren't helping themselves by phsyically seperating themselves doesn't help at all.

This issue is a subset of a larger one tho isn't it? Like, for instance, the
construction of a palestinian state and seperation from israel. Balkanization.
I think it's interesting that this is kind of opposite the gay movement yet
supported. Like gay pride parades.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2003-07-28 07:26pm

This is a stupid, stupid idea.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2003-07-28 07:28pm

What is intersting to note that in the 60's and early 70's there was a mounting pressure by Civil Rights activists to have schools integrated, sometimes forcefully with busing.

In the late 90's to now there is a growing movement FROM minority groups FOR segregation.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2003-07-28 08:14pm

Stravo wrote:What is intersting to note that in the 60's and early 70's there was a mounting pressure by Civil Rights activists to have schools integrated, sometimes forcefully with busing.

In the late 90's to now there is a growing movement FROM minority groups FOR segregation.

That's the effect of 30 years of "separate but equal" bullshit. America is a highly segregated nation; there is a visual shock whenever I go there, and notice that the races sort of segregate themselves. In America, liberals are proud if the local interracial couple does not get beaten up or harassed. It doesn't occur to them to ask why there's so few such couples that they stick out like a sore thumb.

Sexual orientations are becoming eligible to receive similar treatment to races, that's all.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-07-28 08:18pm

thats a step up?

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2003-07-28 09:13pm

I’m somewhere in the middle on this whole issue.

The fact of the matter is that this kind of action plays on previously dispelled notions such as “separate, but equal”. It is eminently unconstitutional, violating legal precedent laid out successively during the 1970s - and, of course, diverting public funds to a program remotely useful to a mere fraction of the population of the City of New York.

Unfortunately, while unacceptable from a legal point of view, the decision makes academic sense. It’s extremely difficult for any school to deal with abuse between children – especially when one or another happen to be homosexuals or transgenders. I’ll cite one case as it developed in my own school:

A homosexual freshman – the target of constant ridicule – posted an article on our public opinion board blasting the movie “Boat Trip” for its capitalization on the blatant mischaracterization of homosexuals. Several students responded vigorously, denouncing this critic as a hypocrite for having railed against a movie he himself did not in fact see. Because one of my best friends happened to join a group who saw the movie on their own – solely, it seemed, so they might thumbtack their ticket stubs to the homosexual student’s article -, I cornered him on the topic and questioned his real motivation. The conservation was fairly enlightening. “So, do you really think he was wrong to worry about the movie?” “Well, he didn’t actually see it.” “Did you see it?” “Yes!” “Before you began insulting him?” “No, but that’s not the point.” “Wait. Did you see it because you wanted to make him look bad, or because you actually had a point to make?” “Who cares? It’s funny! He’s gay!” Teachers are powerless to stop this abuse. Not only has it become a part of mainstream activity and culture, but it’s simply too frequent to punish thoroughly anyone implicated. The answer – like that to almost every similar situation – would be: “Tough it out.” But that, as we see, can lead to social friction and actually impede academics significantly. If a gay high school can improve the quality of education for certain students, it’s certainly commendable on some level. Thus I’m split. I know it’s legally unacceptable – but what about the practical utility?

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2003-07-28 09:31pm

Darth Wong wrote: That's the effect of 30 years of "separate but equal" bullshit.

Wait, didn't we strike down that stuff in the 1960s? Supreme Court and
All that?

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2003-07-28 09:36pm

MKSheppard wrote:
Darth Wong wrote: That's the effect of 30 years of "separate but equal" bullshit.
Wait, didn't we strike down that stuff in the 1960s? Supreme Court and
All that?

Yes, we did. But the races segregate THEMSELVES without any outside intervention.

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2003-07-28 09:42pm

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote: Yes, we did. But the races segregate THEMSELVES without any outside intervention.

Ah then, I'd like to hear Mike's suggestions on solving a problem that
isn't caused by government?

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2003-07-28 10:19pm

MKSheppard wrote:
Darth Wong wrote: That's the effect of 30 years of "separate but equal" bullshit.
Wait, didn't we strike down that stuff in the 1960s? Supreme Court and
All that?

Yes shep Brown vs. Board of Education.

Frankly, this idea reaks...

There is no reason why we should have to be segregated away from the straight population. Expel the bigots...

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-07-28 10:27pm

Seperate but equal, anyone?

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2003-07-28 10:48pm

I really don't like the idea of having a public school only for gays. The state is not supposed to engage in any discriminatory tactics, and that's precisely what this is. I think it's a shame that it has to come to this, but it's somewhat necessary. A lot of public schools won't let a gay couple go to prom, and gays are the subjects of constant harassment in an environment like high school.

Being gay is far different from being black. Being gay involves a coming out phase, many of which can be extremely negative experiences, especially in a judgmental environment like high school. So yes, it's a shame that this was done, but I can see why it needed to be done. When our culture grows the fuck up and ditches archaic religious prejudices, then we can talk a little more.

Balrog · Post by **Balrog** » 2003-07-28 11:31pm

God, this is just like rounding up sheep to be sent to the slaughterhouse. How many homophobes you think are going to get wind of this and say "Hey, there be them queer folks going to this school, no more worries 'bout our finding a homo for Smear the Queer night"?

Solauren · Post by **Solauren** » 2003-07-28 11:35pm

There are several problems, with only 1 good point to this school

Good Point
If it's voluntary, it will let gay teens network with alot more of there orientation. That's not a bad thing. If it's involuntary, bad thing. They should have the choice.

Bad Points
Way to put the targets all in one place, ya idiots. All you need know is a few bigots with some gasoline and explosives, and you have a serious problem on your hand. Which is more appealing to a violent homo-phobic? Beating a few to death, or blowing up several hundred, or mowing them down with gunfire and screaming 'God wants this done!'.

Security to prevent this would be astronomical. Do you know how easy it would be to drive a truck through standard securirty measures, while wearing a bullet proof vest or two, get out with two ozi's, and go nuts? Or a good old car bomb driven in and detonated?

Another problem is, it would be easy for any homophobic with a brain to use the school to ID gay males to beat on, and lesbian girls to do who-knows-what-to. (i.e rape them in the name of god to make them straights. I have never heard of that, but I can imagine some sick fuck doing it)

Also, can you imagine what a magnetic it will be fore anti-gay protests? I can see it now....

Sunday: Normal church day, pastor has an idea
Monday: Protest outside of the school, no students can get in.

Do that enough, and you fuck the school year for the students

Neo-Nazi bigot with a truck and a car bomb.....
Snipers....
Girls getting raped in the name of god to show them the error of there ways....
Fish-armed catapults..
Drive-by's with fully-automatic Weapons shooting at random into crowds before, during, and after school

Finally, as people have said, it's not addressing the problem.

If a kid is beeing tormented at school because they are gay or bi, you don't ship the kid off, that is making the tormentors into winners and therefore right, and encouraging it.

Instead, the tormentors should be tossed in jail, with a law in place where if the kid is attacked or disappears, and its even assumed that it's a retrobution attack (him getting mugged in the next town over or something wouldn't count unless he can ID his attackers) the guy not getting out.

And that's just native bigots. Imagine how nice a target this would be to international terrorists. The ultimate symbol of American decadance and sin: A school of gay children! A school that encourages sin!

All I can say is

WHO THE HELL'S BRIGHT IDEA WAS THIS?