Ripley, WV --- Mother: Gay Son Suffered Brutal Harassment at Camp:
A mother from Jackson County, W.Va., says her teenage son was brutally harassed at summer 4-H camp because he's gay.
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The catch is that police can not do much because there is no law that protects White's 15-year-old son from what happened. West Virginia does not include sexual orientation in its hate crimes law.
The family said what happened at camp isn't their first experience with being ridiculed because their teenage son is gay. Doing things like going to the grocery store have become enormous tasks for White and her son because the taunting seems unending.
Charleston, WV --- 'Sexual orientation' removed from Kanawha schools policy:
Kanawha County school board members voted unanimously Thursday evening to remove the words "sexual orientation" from proposed revisions to a cultural diversity policy, which pleased at least one opponent of the controversial policy.
The Life:
So. Do you get the idea? Conservatives have claimed for the past decade that they want "character education" in public schools. Doesn't it seem odd, however, that they believe good character includes harassment, hate, abuse, and bullying of students who are GLBT (actual or perceived)? Don't believe me? Well, let's consider some of the responses to the above posted stories:
From WSAZ
Posted by: C. Gamble on Jul 19, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Valera, knowing your Sons sexual orientation, and then sending Him to camp with boys both his age and younger was very foolish of you. Maybe the boys picked on Him because He made them uncomfortable? Maybe your Son made sexual advances to these boys? They seperate boys from girls, not because or their sex, but because of "sex." These innocent young boys did not deserve to be subjected to your son and his ways. You were wrong... end of discussion.
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Posted by: who cares on Jul 19, 2009 at 10:33 PM
To Valera. If you know he like boys, then you should not have sent him to camp with other boys, do you think that other kids would want to shower and change clothes with someone who is gay, you have to remember at camp there are even younger kids. They should not be around someone who is attracted to other boys... You need to deal with your kids and teach them early that being gay is wrong and make them hate being gay. If everyone did this we wouldnt have to worry about any more new gay's coming out. If I forgot something I'll let you know.
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Posted by: Concerned Mama on Jul 19, 2009 at 11:23 PM
I have a 6 year old son and I most certainly do not want him to hear that this is acceptable behavior...It is not and if he was ever in a situation with school or any other activity where he had a homosexual instructor whether they were male or female, I would have no choice but to remove him from that situation
And here's my personal favorite regarding the Gazette article:
If a kid is being picked on because he is gay he could always shape up and repent and then he wouldn't have that problem.
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CO-SPONSOR HR 2262!
I was one of these kids. I feel I have an obligation to do whatever I can to support an explicit and federally-imposed policy to ban and prevent anti-LGBT harassment in America's public schools.
I've created a target list. If you read this diary, I hope that you will contact ONE member of the House (but not necessarily your own). Go ahead and call his/her Washington office. This is especially important for those of you living in red districts. If your congressional representative is NOT listed, then please contact one of these key Members. I've picked DKos-familiar names:
Rep. Marcia Fudge (OH-11): (202) 225-7032; Email form --- Education and Labor Cmte.
Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-04): (202) 225-2565; Email form --- Education and Labor Cmte.
Rep. Dina Titus (NV-03): (202) 225-3252; Email form --- Education and Labor Cmte.
Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA-06): (202) 225-3901; Email form --- Education and Labor Cmte.; voted yes on Matthew Shepard Act
Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA-19): (202) 225-5836; Email form --- Education and Labor Cmte.; voted yes on Matthew Shepard Act
The bill currently has 71 sponsors including 3 Republicans. I would like to see this number hit at least 120 of broad and diverse Members. So check the chart below for your state, and if you live in that state, contact the suggested person. I have factored voting record, religious affiliation, and incumbency into these selections:
Targeted co-sponsorship of HR 2262
Targeted co-sponsorship of HR 2262
If we get these Members to co-sponsor, the House will have no choice but to move the bill forward. Thanks for reading.
