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by Brian Dailey
received April 10, 2002
I am a senior at Cedar Falls High School and am responding to an article I read in our Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier. The article was about the Gilbert School boards refusal to add sexual orientation to its discrimination and harassment policy after Jerryn Johnston approached the board.
I want to first acknowledge the strength and courage that Jerryn, whom I do not know, must have to be able to approach the school board after such blatant harassment. To face opposition head on is commendable and not something that everyone is willing to do. Jerryn was completely right to ask his school to help him out because he felt threatened.
It makes me sick to my stomach to think that after all the progress our country has made in accepting diversity, such a heartless and close-minded refusal can be made.
Clearly, discrimination against homosexuals and homosexuality is present in our schools today. Just listen to the conversations that take place throughout the school day. Those conversations often escalate into physical violence. That's why millions of students all over the country are fighting for their rights'.
It doesn't really matter whether or not you agree with homosexuality. All you have to agree to is the value of a human life. Every single person living in America deserves the protection of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as clearly stated in the Constitution.
Jerryn Johnston's rights were violated and his pursuit of happiness was threatened. So he turned to the education system who's main focus should be providing a safe environment where kids can equally seek an education. And the system turned their back not only on Jerryn, but also all students with a minority sexuality.
Because of the board's decision, they implied that the value of human life is not equal under sexual orientation.
How much longer can people ignore the fact that sexual orientation discrimination is a very real issue and threatens not only the happiness of the discriminated, but also their lives?
There are cases each month reporting incidents of "gay-bashing". And many cases result in severe injury and death. It could not be more obvious that America's institutions need to step up and protect its valuable citizens no matter who they may be.
No longer can schools be silent about hate crimes involving homosexuals. Silence is hate's best friend. It's time to take a step forward. It will no longer be okay to hold one human's life as worthier than another based on sexual identity.
The Gilbert School board made it loud and clear that they have made a deliberate choice NOT to protect all of their student body.
Sincerely,
Brian Dailey