[redwitch]

Yes, there are gay/straight alliance clubs at other middle schools throughout the country. Do they stop bullying? Sometimes. What they definitely do do is give kids a place to talk, feel and know it is okay to be themselves.

Kids in middle school are pretty sure of their sexuality. They may not be comfortable with it, but they know their preferences. To be teased and bullied because a child is different is just plain wrong. To have adults condone and, in some way, approve of this bullying is downright evil. A school board that threatens to stop all extracurricular activities to stop one club for children that know they are different, that are harassed daily, that need help and guidance is evil and ugly. The school board should be starting programs to stop the bullying; to immediately suspend the offenders; to protect those being bullied whether gay, straight, mentally challenged or just different in any way. This school board has worked to cause even more harassment and fear.


Sorry, but this thread has just pushed so many buttons to me. I can remember an exchange student in 7th grade having her face slashed. Why? Because she from Israel and a "dirty Jew." I can remember a dear, intelligent friend dropping out of high school. Why? Because he couldn't handle the daily harassment of being flamboyantly gay. Back then, bullying was accepted as being normal for children. The thought was the bullies would grow up and become productive adults. Those bullied would get over it. Fortunately, that is no longer the case in most parts of the United States. Apparently, that is not the case in Lake County -- it still lives in the 50s and 60s. Bullying is wrong. Accepting bullying is contemptible. Condoning bullying is heinous. Causing more bullying is evil.