Sunday, February 27, 2011

Single-Handedly Ending Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Within school systems around the world, discrimination between students, solely based on sexual orientation, is very prevalent. I can still remember how frequently such discrimination would occur in my own high school.  Kids segregating other kids, singling them out and calling them names.  Even if it the verbal assaults weren't directly aimed at the individuals who took the offense, these such words and terms were used often and could easily make certain students uncomfortable.  Words such as "faggot" and "gay", were always used on a daily basis within the halls, classrooms, and the cafeteria.  Most students don't realize, but after using these terms, those students who happen to be gay themselves feel awful and unwanted.  This could become so intense, that the gay/lesbian student may feel afraid to even step foot into the school, which is an awful thing.  Students who are constantly afraid during the school day are unable to focus on anything except their consuming fear, which casts aside their schoolwork and learning.  Many teachers feel personally responsible when a student is performing poorly within the classroom, however sometimes the problem that is really occuring is beyond their control.  In order to end any of these problems from further happening, all students and faculty alike need to become aware of the negative affects of sexual orientation discrimination.  Within many schools, there are presentations and seminars that involve this exact subject matter.  Attempting to end the discrimination, and spread awareness of it's seriousness.  Even so, many students within the school systems of today are unable to seer the seriousness of the problem and will continue with the discrimination.  I feel as if no matter what there will always be a level of discrimination against sexual orientation within schools, but organizations such as GLSEN are doing a great job of reducing the number of victims within schools.
The organization was started in 1990 by a group of seventy gay/lesbian teachers who sought to spread awareness of sexual discrimination amongst students.  They hope to create a school environment in which individuality is respected, and no one group is segregated against, no matter what/who they are.  GLSEN focuses on seeing people for who they are as individuals, and the ability to respect one and all.  Over the years, they have successfully changed the minds of many students who never realized how serious the issue had become.  Targeted mainly towards children/students, adults are also included during seminars to expand the message further, so that incorporation outside the classroom can be achieved as well.  The group officially sponsors the "day of silence", which took place annually in my high school.  this is a day where people take a vow of silence to commemorate those gays/lesbians/transgendered peoples who have died as a result of discrimination.  The event is taken very seriously, and an overwhelming amount of students become involved.  GLSEN has grown significantly since the time of it's founding, and continues to spread the message that they began the organization with.  I really like that this organization exists, and I feel that it's existence is very neccessary, especially now in time.  As I said before, I don't think this issue will ever be fully ended, but GLSEN will help towards preventing future generations from practicing such hateful discrimination, specifically within the classrooms of our world.

17 comments:

  1. I agree. I feel that there will always be some form of discrimination against sexual orientation within schools, but hopefully we can find better ways to make that percentage go down. No person should have to feel afraid of going to school just because of their sexual orientation. It is not fair that they are getting their education taken away from them because their classmates decide to bully them. We also had the Day of Silence and a number of students in my high school also got involved in it. Students do need to become more aware of the seriousness of this discrimination.

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  2. You made a good point in your entry about certain students fearing school and in turn when they do make it to class they have a hard time paying attention. I realize this is a consequence but after reading the website i was focusing more on outside of the classroom events. As a teacher they should enforce rules and punishments about using kind words in classrooms.

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  3. It seems like there's no way to win. These students either skip school to feel safe (therefore missing assignments, class participation, and class attendance) or they come feeling unsafe and not paying attention because they fear for their safety and quite possibly their life! I wish there was a harsher punishment for bullying or harassment to the extent that is seen in most of these articles on GLSEN.

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  4. Saying that there will always be some form of discrimination made me think... yes maybe there will always be discrimination not just about LGBT issues but about anything and everything... everyone has their insecurities and will be offended if they hear a comment that makes them feel hurt only because they are insecure about that issue. I feel that GLSEN and support groups of any kind are so wonderful because they can allow people to be confident in themselves to the point that it doesn't matter what anyones comments are. For example: One of my insecurities used to be my body and not being perfectly athletic and in shape so if someone were to come make a nasty remark about that insecurity it would upset me. Now I have grown confident in myself, this came from within- not relying on others for my happiness or confidence, and now someone can make that same exact remark and it wouldn't hurt at all because I know it is no true. My body has not changed only my mind set, my inner peace and self worth has. I am happy that their are organizations like GLSEN to help people feel good about themselves no matter what or how others judge.

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  5. I agree completely with the idea that students who fear going to schol end up falling behind because of the harrassment they face for being LGBT. I also like what Alycia said about having groups that can support each other so there is no feeling of lonliness.

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  6. It's terrible what is happening! The kids skip school because they are scared and therefore get behind on their work and miss valuable school time. Then even if the kids are at school they feel uneasy and aren't paying as much attention during the class so they still miss information. There needs to be a way to stop this so the students don't keep falling behind when they are very capable of dong the work.

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  7. Alycia makes a good point about groups of allies being so necessary. My school didn't have an active Gay-Straight Alliance or anything. I didn't notice that my school was particularly homophobic, but I wonder what it was like for kids who were the target of bullying. I doubt they would see it the same way.

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  8. Not only does GLSEN help prevent discrimination, but it also helps to inform people of these issues. I agree that this is a great organization!

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  9. GLSEN is definitely a great website. I learned a lot from it when I was just browsing around.

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  10. it will probably take a few generations at least to have "gayness" African American and woman's rights. Things are better for them now but still we are not completely reformed. Personally, i think it will take an even longer time for Gays to have equal right because of the Bible and all the really religious people out there. But i do agree, things are slowly getting better and people are becoming more aware.

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  11. GLSEN is a good start. Hopefully teachers and more people will get involved in schools and people will be accepted for who they are.
    Although that will probably be more than a century away, with the way people are these days.

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  12. As much as we want this issue to go away I feel like it will never get better. Teachers aren't doing anything about it so therefore the issue will keep happening. It's sad to see students skip school because of this issue.

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  13. i agree with Sarah, this is something that will always be an issue, no matter what.

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  14. I think the issue will always be there but there has to be someway that as teachers we can address the problem and make people feel more comfortable so they wont skip school

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  15. i agree with mariah- GLSEN is an awesome site and in response to the post: its so sad how prevelant and severe the teasing and singling out is in schools...esp high schools...across the world today :(

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  16. I agree - GLSEN is a great organization. But i'm sure its still hard for gay/lesbian students who are being bullied to be in schools - kids can be so cruel :(

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  17. totally agree!!! if kids are afraid to go to school then they will fall behind!! thats just unfair no kid should have to go through that.

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