"Why is school such a hard place to be gay?" - Empty Closets - A safe online community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered people coming out

Doctor Faustus · 11th Nov 2011, 04:05 PM

A very interesting and thoughtful piece with this title appeared in the Guardian, a UK newspaper. Worth a read.

Why is school such a hard place to be gay? | Society | The Guardian

**Mogget** · 11th Nov 2011, 10:40 PM

Ugh, I read some of the comments. No, commenter, the fact that kids have always bullied people who are different does not make it acceptable.

Chouchou · 12th Nov 2011, 01:18 AM

Why? Because schools are microcosms reflecting the society at large, and kids are more brutally honest about their feelings than adults.

Emberstone · 12th Nov 2011, 09:21 AM

because when you have 2000 kids, and 80 adults... you do the math.

Ridiculous · 12th Nov 2011, 01:47 PM

If you're still of school age and are gay, you probably haven't had time to fully come to terms with it yourself. That's going to make it much harder to cope with any criticism/bullying/whatever.

silverhalo · 12th Nov 2011, 04:28 PM

I dont necessarily think that it is fundamentally the gay thing, school can be a really tough place for anyone who isnt popular, confident or who fits the mould. The fact that people bully people because they are gay isnt essentially because they are gay its because thats their weakness, just like fat kids or short kids. School is a tough place to be.

Aeon Magus · 12th Nov 2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverhalo

The fact that people bully people because they are gay isnt essentially because they are gay its because thats their weakness, just like fat kids or short kids.

You can be any number of things, but as long as you don't "fit in" with the "popular" crowd or what the majority thinks is "normal", you will most likely be the target of emotional or physical harm/bullying, which in turn can affect your social and educational wellbeing. I'm not saying it's acceptable, I'm not saying it "builds character" (like my principal told me), I'm agreeing with what Silverhalo says here.
Nerdy kids, overweight kids, homely kids, 'little people', whether these kids are deformed, or have some sort of disease or disorder... there are way too many traits and characteristics that kids these days find to be "different". And what we all know is, is that not every one person is the same... so, just maybe, the act of bullying is a way for them to deal with their own insecurities, of being different than the person they are bullying, who is "different" in their eyes.
Schools are just a terrible place for these things to be happening. You only have your friends and teachers to rely on when you're there. Dealing with bullying is a co-responsibility for all these children and adults in schools, and should work together to putting a stop to it.

My two cents' worth...

11th Nov 2011, 04:05 PM	#1
Doctor Faustus EC's resident Philosopher at Large Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Not straight. But only interested in men. xD Out Status: People who ask me. People whom I trust. Location: Basingstoke Posts: 1,610 Join Date: Oct 2011	"Why is school such a hard place to be gay?" A very interesting and thoughtful piece with this title appeared in the Guardian, a UK newspaper. Worth a read. Why is school such a hard place to be gay? \| Society \| The Guardian __________________ "I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." - Mother Teresa.

11th Nov 2011, 10:40 PM	#2
Mogget Mad and dead as nails EC Advisor Gender: Male Orientation: Kinsey 5 or 6. It varies Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Alaska Age: 22 Posts: 2,026 Join Date: Mar 2010	Re: "Why is school such a hard place to be gay?" Ugh, I read some of the comments. No, commenter, the fact that kids have always bullied people who are different does not make it acceptable. __________________ "As to what I am, I once was many things but now I am only several." - Mogget in Sabriel by Garth Nix "The world is quiet here." - VFD

12th Nov 2011, 01:18 AM	#3
Chouchou Warrior Goddess Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Homosexual (asexual?) and mostly homoromantic Out Status: To some friends, but not to family Location: Wisconsin, USA Age: 26 Posts: 1,109 Join Date: Oct 2011	Re: "Why is school such a hard place to be gay?" Why? Because schools are microcosms reflecting the society at large, and kids are more brutally honest about their feelings than adults. __________________ "The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

12th Nov 2011, 09:21 AM	#4
Emberstone Flappychap Full Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Out to everyone Location: Oregon, USA Age: 28 Posts: 5,599 Join Date: May 2008	Re: "Why is school such a hard place to be gay?" because when you have 2000 kids, and 80 adults... you do the math. __________________ TYPE YOUR NAME: Cory. TYPE YOUR NAME WITH YOUR ELBOW: vcoiptryu SLAM YOUR FACE ON THE KEYBOARD: About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how potent that part might be - that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

12th Nov 2011, 01:47 PM	#5
Ridiculous EC Addict Regular Member Gender: Male Orientation: Gay Out Status: Friends Location: New Zealand Age: 20 Posts: 935 Join Date: Dec 2010	Re: "Why is school such a hard place to be gay?" If you're still of school age and are gay, you probably haven't had time to fully come to terms with it yourself. That's going to make it much harder to cope with any criticism/bullying/whatever.

12th Nov 2011, 04:28 PM	#6
silverhalo EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Lesbian Out Status: Quite a few Location: England, Age: 29 Posts: 3,166 Join Date: Dec 2008	Re: "Why is school such a hard place to be gay?" I dont necessarily think that it is fundamentally the gay thing, school can be a really tough place for anyone who isnt popular, confident or who fits the mould. The fact that people bully people because they are gay isnt essentially because they are gay its because thats their weakness, just like fat kids or short kids. School is a tough place to be.

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