What should Larry King have done?

[dsc]

In the wake of Larry King's brutal murder we are now hearing some usual, and some unusual voices stating that Larry should have toned it down at school. He had to know that being dressed as a woman would inflame his classmates. Just what were the adults thinking?

As a gay teacher I am pretty qualified to address this issue.

I had it pretty rough in middle school. Clearly not as rough as Larry or for that matter many others I know personally and via DU. But I was teased to use the words of an administrator in the stories being quoted here. As a teacher I can see what it is like today and compare it to then. The typical LGBT student has it much better now, than we did then. Surely cases like Larry make us wonder but on a day to day basis it is no contest. And to what do I credit the difference? People doing what Larry did. Kids being out and open and knowing there are others like them. GSA's have made a huge difference and even in schools without them, kids still feel empowered to come out as who they are. My heart breaks for Larry. If this happened at my school, I don't know if I could take it. The sad part is that if Larry could have made it just a few more months he would have been at a high school with a GSA and likely would have had that critical mass of LGBT students that would have made the difference. In the final analysis, Larry did the right thing. I just wish the adults in his life had.

[xchrom]

1. yes it's the victims fault.

:eyes:

especially when it comes to certain men or boys{and certainly some girls and women} and their self important view of how the world should work.

how does a boy -- who chooses to dress like the opposite gender manage to cause such an uproar?

some people are so 'delicate', i swear.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Creideiki]

3. Depends on the teachers and administrators

I worked at two different schools where the worst possible thing was being gay. Racially integrated, academically struggling urban and suburban schools. No support from administrators--or administrators advising students that they should expect it given that they're clearly giving their peers cause. It was really disturbing as a first-year teacher to have a student crying telling me that one of the assistant principals said she deserved to be harassed at school and at home.

The school I did my student teaching at was different, but it was in a community where the gay community was visibly part of the community and accepted for what it was--not to mention the open presence of students from same-sex households. Even there, "fag" was the most commonly heard epithet--narrowly beating out racial and religious smears. But the bulk of the students would close ranks and protect each other. It was really inspiring seeing the students be more mature than the staff.

[dsc]

4. I think community makes some difference

but this generation is much better on gay issues than their parents.

[Irishonly]

5. I think so

My daughter and I talk a lot. She tells me there are a few homophobes at her high school but most students are accepting. The Larry King story made me realize things have not gotten a lot better in most places. I usually develop foot in the mouth disease when I try to explain the way I feel but I have always tried to teach my daughter to accept people and make her choices of friends for who the person is and what is in their heart and she does.

[Creideiki]

6. My first day at the school I was teaching at this year

One of the kids told me he hated gay people and wanted me to agree with him.

Some change, maybe, but not a universal evolution.

Later on, this kid started putting anti-gay graffiti in my room, even after I went way out of my way to help him and several of his sports teammates maintain their eligibility. No support from the administration--instead they insisted that there must be something I was doing to bring it on myself. Needless to say, I left, and am completely at peace with this ending my teaching career.

[dsc]

8. that is sad

Of course sports people are priviledged that isn't likely to change. It sounds like we lost a good teacher and that is the worst part of your post. Hope you are doing well.

[swimmernsecretsea]

9. I'm so sorry to hear you've left the teaching profession.

From what I've read so far, it sounds like children would have benefited from your sensitivity and point of view. I think we all would have.

I wish you much happiness with your new career. The perspective you gained can be useful. I hope it will help others in the future.

[zonmoy]

7. the person at fault is the person who murdered someone.

the only reason that someone has the right to kill another person is if that person is actively attempting to kill you or another person.

[DarkTirade]

10. I think you have to broaden that a bit to defense of self or others...

because if someone is trying to seriously injure or rape someone, and that person isn't capable of stopping the attacker short of killing them, then I see nothing wrong with that.

[zonmoy]

13. I agree.

I pondered for a while other words to indicate that harming someone who is trying to harm you or another is ok.

[DarkTirade]

14. The line isn't completely concise

so it's rather hard to define. :)

[mitchtv]

12. from what I can decipher

the school district that call "Bullying", "teasing" had its collect head up its ass, and did not fullfill their mandate under Calif law to provide a safe learning environment.someone needs some training there, tho. I think they will be the target of a lawsuit.

[genie_weenie]

11. According to the Moral Majority at FreeRepublic, King was a bully

Bullying takes many forms. A gay boy flirting with a straight boy is a bully. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1994025/posts#23

[lightningandsnow]

15. What the hell?

I'm a queer female and I get hit on by straight men quite a bit. Would they call that bullying? No way. Because they're homophobic asshats, that's why.