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respecthumanity's comments:
on Bullying in School
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Equal Protection for Sexual Minorities?
Totally agree with you, as an educator how had to "cover" for so many years, how can our young gay, bi, questioning youth ever learn that they are not alone...not the alien that I felt I was at that age. All I had was straight role models. I never quite fit and would have so benefited from knowing someone to talk to.
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Equal Protection for Sexual Minorities?
Rethomas said:
"I don't believe we need special protections when we're all supposed to have the same protections and rights under the constitution... if they aren't being enforced then let's address that question."
Gays and lesbians do NOT have the same protections under the constitution. We have become the last group to harass, bully, minimize and exclude. My domestic partner and I are legal in Oregon, married in California but do not get the same right to file Federal Tax forms, like we do jointly in Oregon. So, do we have the same rights as a hetrosexual couple? No.
If you are a white, straight, male and religious, your world is perfect...it's called "Unearned priviledge." (I use to be that man until I realized that I was lying to my wife, my kids, my church and the world.) It feels much better being in my skin even if I don't have all the rights that you do. I don't need your blessing, just know it's going to change even more once the elders have passed on.
Respecthumanity
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Bullying in School
( Part 3 conclusion from Rich)
On the Day of Silence in the spring, a few families have kept their students out of school or they show up wearing "Straight Pride" shirts. There is so much work to be done. With the several male teen sucides that recently occurred in our country, due to endless bullying, I recently offered to help the district. I was dismissed with a brief, "Hope you are enjoying your retirement," email. We all need to find our voice and the time is NOW.
(Contact me if you want to talk more, Think Out Loud staff.)
Rich Matkins
2010 Oregon GSA Advisor of the Year
2010 Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) top five Educator of the Year.
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Bullying in School
(Part 2 from Rich)
Several weeks later during the annual superintendent's visit to the school, I reported these stories to the principal and the superintendent in private. What happened next, still blows me away. They both stood up after my sharing these events as the superintendent said, "Aren't we suppose to go have lunch in the teachers lunchroom? Where is it located Amy?" I was left standing in the principal's office alone, feeling totally dismissed and even less safe in that school. Several staff members felt the homophobia, many left the bulding, but the topic was never discussed.
I worked weekly for five years at Southridge as the GSA advisor and helped students advocate for themselves or report bullying when it occurred. They heard this stuff daily. At least we had a safe space for these kids, who were largely female. Our high school boys are largely still in the closet and do not want to be identifed with this club, probably for fear of being bullied if they came out. Many of the girls had identified numerous closeted boys in the school. Being called gay, whether real of perceived gay for a boy, is the worst form of bullying. It occurs numerous times a day in middle schools, high schools and now elementary schools.
In a 2007 SRHS School Climate survey, that looked at: race, gender, socio-economics, religion, perceived handicap, age and homophobia, we found that 83% of the student population NEVER stood up for someone who was bullied or harasssed. Very little was done to address these typical high school behaviors, which occur throughout the country, not just in the Beaverton School District. When I asked to do a follow up study in the spring of 2010, someone at the district office rejected it, therefore we were not allowed to gather an updated set of data. So, we don't know if things have changed at all. Respecting everyone has not been a priority in my opinion, due to the complaints of the Beaverton conservative religious community, who refuse to believe that the staff should address these issues. They do not want their student to be exposed to gays or lesbians, or anything that sends the message that this population exists and should be treated with respect.
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Bullying in School
I was perceived different since I was 10 years old, growing up in a rural town of 450 people in the midwest during the 60's. Kids threw rocks at me, called me names and even though I dated girls, (as modeled by my older sisters), they still bullied me. In 10th grade, I moved to another community 90 minutes away of 2000 residents. Boys verbally harassed me and twice during my junior year, I was chased out of my own town, as a group of boys began following my car. I was scared to death, fearling for my life. The name calling was endless because I dressed differently, even though I had a girlfriend.
As an educator, I worked in the Beaverton district for 22 years before retiring in June. In the early 90's after reporting to the vice principal that a 9th grader called me a faggot. Her response was, "Well that's what he thinks you are!" End of story. The student was not consequenced. Two years ago while working at Southridge High School, one of our open senior lesbian students was seriously and disgustingly harassed before math class had begun. As the GSA (Gay Straight Alliance club) advisor, she came to me in tears and was a complete wreck, as she told me how she was bullied by this underclassman. This young woman was afraid of him for weeks and weeks. Even though I pressed hard to get the vice principal to suspend him, he denied it. His suspension was three days with no apology. Shortly after this incident, as I was passing an unknown student who was working on an office computer, I heard him say "Fu**#ing faggot!" I asked him about his comment, which he denied saying, so I reported him to an administrator. The young man never apologized but was given three days supspension. I never felt safe when I saw him in the halls. Teachers reported his behavior never changed.
(Part two will be submitted)
Rich
posted 2 years, 7 months ago
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on Suggest a Show
Students at Southridge High School in Beaverton are reaching out to area high schools to raise awareness about the proposed "Kill the Gays" law soon to be voted on in Uganda. These students are amazing leaders and would love a change to tell what they have learned from this Respect Humanity: Uganda project. The march and rally starts at noon on January 23rd. They need your help! Contact the school and their GSA advisor to arrange the show!
Here are some recent links:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/1/11/823953/-OR:-Plans-solidifying-for-Southridge-High-School-student-clubs-Respect-Humanity-rally-
http://pamshouseblend.com/diary/14780/or-plans-blossoming-for-southridge-high-school-student-clubs-respect-humanity-rally
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posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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