02/23/2007
"That's So Gay" Gets its Day in Court
Parents of a girl disciplined for using the term "That's so gay" at school have taken the school district to court, seeking punitive damages.
According to CBS5 San Francisco: "To say, 'that's so gay,' according to high school sophomore Jared Young, is to say, 'That's dumb. That's lame. That's just stupid.' It has nothing to do with being gay, he said. The public schools think the slang use of 'gay' is highly inappropriate, and the school district is being sued in court for its stance." (video)
The girl, who is Mormon, was reportedly admonished by her Humanities teacher after responding with the phrase to kids who were teasing her about her religion.
The student's family claims that the teacher and school are pursuing a vendetta against them because the religiously conservative parents were part of a group that publicly protested the school's "Day of Dialogue" which included a presentation on homosexuality.
The suit covers more than just the phrase: "The incidents cited in the lawsuit include a written referral for saying "that's so gay," an alleged threat by an openly lesbian student, a classroom presentation that included the R-rated film, Saving Private Ryan, and a mistaken search of Rebekah's backpack."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 10:45 AM EST by Andy in California, Education, Gay Slurs, Gay Youth, News | Permalink
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Well, little girl, here's the answer: Would you go around saying "that's so black?"
There, I'm done with you.
Posted by: Anon1 | Feb 23, 2007 11:00:22 AM
And she thought she could get away with it. And is now a victim? Awww... the poor misunderstood backward bigoted wingnut fundies.
Posted by: xavier | Feb 23, 2007 11:03:00 AM
Yawn. In the grand scheme of things, a bigoted high school student feeling supressed for her ignorant ways isn't even a blip on my radar.
Posted by: Cory | Feb 23, 2007 11:14:55 AM
She should have the freedom to say whatever she wants. Although, there must be consequences for her actions. I wonder if the people who made fun of her religion were written up? If she get's in trouble for that's so gay, then they should get in trouble for mocking her religion. It's only fair.
Posted by: Matt | Feb 23, 2007 11:15:03 AM
that's so Mormon
Posted by: Dave | Feb 23, 2007 11:16:28 AM
That's so Mormon.
Posted by: Rad | Feb 23, 2007 11:17:09 AM
BUAAAAHAHAHAHA
LMAO@Dave and Rad
muahahahaha. PERFECT.
Posted by: FizziekruntNT | Feb 23, 2007 12:12:51 PM
Litigious little bigoted bitch.
I hope the school system rakes them over the coals.
Posted by: CF | Feb 23, 2007 12:31:35 PM
wondering why the comments are disabled for the DNA entry... seriously hope it's simply an oversight.
just wanted to say, the pics are gorgeous, but the clothing featured is trash.
Posted by: A.J. | Feb 23, 2007 12:32:20 PM
I'm a mormon, too.
MORE MEN!!!!
Posted by: Myackie | Feb 23, 2007 12:39:58 PM
If a kid got in trouble for saying "Oh, that's so Mormon" and then used the defense of saying "to call something Mormon isn't an attack on the religion, it just means 'stupid' or 'idiotic' or 'backwards'.." You gotta wonder how that Mormon family would feel about that.
Posted by: Charlie | Feb 23, 2007 12:57:13 PM
That's so mormon of her to do. Her parents are going to claim first admendment rights, that's what people like them do.
On the subject of DNA magazine in the post above: They are ANTI-GAY. They go out of their way to find straight men to be on the cover. They do give a damn about gay men. I have had correspondence with the editor and he has validated that claim. Stop buying that magazine.
Posted by: Jack! | Feb 23, 2007 1:18:16 PM
In my last post I meant to say: They DON'T give a damn about gay men.
Posted by: Jack! | Feb 23, 2007 1:21:20 PM
A.J., Lewis Payton photography and comments do not go well together on Towleroad.
Posted by: Je | Feb 23, 2007 1:26:18 PM
I think all the previous comments on this topic quite sufficiently express my feelings regarding that little bigot bitch and her "explanation." The only comment I'd add to the discussion is that it's too bad the parents couldn't have been punished too. As for their civil rights "suppression of free speech rights" counter discrimination lawsuit is concerned, cry me a river...
Posted by: Robert In WeHo | Feb 23, 2007 2:15:59 PM
All the kids who made bigoted remarks should be punished. Whether they made fun of someone's sexual orientation (gay) or someone's religion (Mormon) - that behavior is not appropriate in a public school.
And the teacher obviously needs some training in dealing with teenagers.
Posted by: blinkie | Feb 23, 2007 3:19:08 PM
The word Gay actually means happy, jovial, contented, gleeful etc you get the point. The problem here is slang, and incorrect usage of the english language. A fag is a bundle of sticks, not a homosexual man. I say the homosexual community find there own word to describe themselves and not get so uppity about words that aren't really theirs. Like queer..whos idea was that,and why do you concur that its ok but gay in the wrong context is worse? get a grip
Posted by: bella | Feb 24, 2007 11:19:14 AM
Bella: Like if I called you a cunt?
But I really mean "Cunt" used as an acronym to describe a stupid person, body of people, or thing. C.U.N.T. can stand for: "Can't Understand Normal Thinking.
Posted by: supes | Feb 24, 2007 6:04:41 PM
Well Matt, I agree with freedom of speech and of religion, but I would make the distinction that making fun of religion is simply stating an opinion about a CHOICE - the choice to follow a particular philosophy.
Making fun of gays is the marginalization of HUMAN BEINGS, much as hate speech directed towards ethnic groups is the same thing.
Sorry, but people making fun of Mormons is no where near the same as people making fun of other races, genders or sexual minorities. Nice try though. It's consistent with the way your young mind sees the world.
Posted by: mark m | Feb 25, 2007 12:06:20 PM
But what about the quote from the kid who uses the examples, "That's so dumb." or "That's lame."
To today's high school student, "dumb" doesn't mean unable to speak -- as it once did -- and "lame" doesn't mean unable to walk -- as it once did.
Can language evolve? And are we free to be ignorant and learn from our ignorance, independent of official punishment from an institution?
If you want to say something is "gay" or "retarded" or whatever, go ahead. Yes, it makes you an asshole. But should it get you disciplined by your school system?
Posted by: Rita | Feb 26, 2007 3:41:51 PM
Well... to be quite honest I dont really care if someone uses "gay" as a slang word. To me it is just a word and i choose to give it no power. I mean hell I use "gay" as a slang all the time. To me it is not the word it self but how it is being used.
(Dont take offense) I mean look at teh word "nigger". I have a few black friends that use that word quite often. None of them, nor anyone to who they direct that word seems to take offense to its use. But if I (not black) were to use that word people would more likely then not take offense. Although I still dont see the fairness in that situation, it is goes to show that the word it self doesn't matter it is how it is used.
And that is all i've got to say about that...
Posted by: Nick | Feb 26, 2007 10:40:34 PM
big deal get a life you losers so she said thats gay who hasnt and who doesnt all you gays need to chill out this was a little girl and she meant nothing by it.get the chip off your shoulders and go bust people that are actually commitiing crimes. i have no problem with gays only that they never stop crying about stupid stuff get a grip live your life and shut the hell up
Posted by: joe | Mar 1, 2007 1:46:36 PM
The reason the parents are probably angry is because many people say gay all the time and she is the only one that gets in trouble, and that wasn't nearly as bad as making fun of her religion.
The school was punishing her only because she was mormon, and refused to participate in gay supporting events, which are wrong anyway.
Being gay is wrong, and it is a choice.
By the way I am mormon, and we do not participate in poligomy, and you are a retard if you actually think that we would ever marry more than one person.
Posted by: Ken | Mar 1, 2007 9:42:29 PM
Brilliant riposte and analysis Ken! None of us would ever have guessed that you are a putative latter day saint.
Posted by: rudy | Mar 1, 2007 9:55:32 PM
Being gay is as much a choice as the color of your skin Ken. Would any one choose a possible life of social and political rejection and frustration? Of having ones civil rights ripped away? When did you choose to be straight? I assume as you believe sexuality is a choice that at some point in your life you came to a crossroad and you choose to ignore your sexual attraction to men by choosing women, right? That closet must be looking smaller and smaller, eh Ken?
Posted by: Cory | Mar 1, 2007 10:37:57 PM
hmm.. well now..
isn't taking it to court a little too far..?
i'm sure they didn't mean GAY when they said it..
but oh well..
that's people for ya..!
Posted by: brigette.. | Mar 1, 2007 10:57:23 PM
As a gay man, I find this so dumb! This is the problem with America--freedom of speech until some pussy gets upset, then we all have to watch what we say b/c someone might cry like a little girl with a skinned knee b/c we said nigger or fag or kike or wop or honkey---get over it--if you are that insecure about yourself that a word hurts you, then you need serious counseling or meds.
Posted by: Greg | Mar 2, 2007 11:32:44 AM
I agree with Greg. How many of you punish your children for telling each other "Your so stupid" or "Your so retarded", etc.? It was a comment directed towards another students comment. BIG DEAL!!! Why do people always try to make something out of nothing? It's too bad the media always highlights this kind of junk.
Posted by: Karen | Mar 2, 2007 11:56:20 AM
BEING GAY IS A CHOICE!!!
IT IS NOT A CHOICE TO BE ATTRACTED TO MEN, BUT IT IS A CHOICE TO DATE THEM!
DIDN'T YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE ANONYMOUS SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANNA BE GAY BUT THINK THEY CAN'T HELP IT!!!???
YOU ALL SHOULD BE GOING TO THOSE INSTEAD OF THINKING THAT IT IS OKAY TO BE GAY, BECAUSE YOU ENJOY GETTING IT UP THE BUTT SO MUCH!!
GET A LIFE GUYS.
YOU ARE ALL GAY BECAUSE YOU CHOSE TO BE GAY.
I'M RIGHT, YOU'RE WRONG, END OF DISCUSSION!
Posted by: Ken | Mar 2, 2007 4:29:33 PM
I am neither Mormon or homosexual. I am an equal opportunity advisor for an organization, and can say that both religion and sexual preference are protected classes. The comments regarding the girl's religion were inappropriate and were a violation of her rights. The school should have protected her rights but instead her rights were violated. Both parties were wrong. How can a school condone one behavior and condemn the other when they are both equally wrong? It is a shame.
Posted by: Joe | Mar 2, 2007 6:25:21 PM
So how are those support groups working Ken?
btw, as a psychologist (that means I have a PhD numb nuts), I can tell you that 100% of the time, those support groups do not do anything in "helping" homosexuals "not date men".
I feel sorry for you. Ignorance is bliss eh?
Posted by: Cory | Mar 2, 2007 6:31:31 PM
I am a real estate agent and I know that sexual preference is not a protected class.
The protected classes are...
Race
Color
Religion
Handicap
Familial Status
and Sex (Not sexual preference).
If you sue somone for refusing to rent to you because you are gay, you will lose.
If that is true Cory, why don't you tell everyone on this forum what is helpful, because I think they need it.
Our mormon support groups are helpful to most of the people that do it, so I guess mormons just know the right way to do things.
Posted by: Ken | Mar 2, 2007 6:46:01 PM
hahaha
When I read her comment I thought "That's so Mormon".. then I scrolled down.
Posted by: MW | Mar 2, 2007 6:53:08 PM
why do the gay community think they "own" words? like gay, fag, faggot, queer, queen?
gay = happy
fag = cigarette
faggot = meatball
queer = strange
queen = monarch
get over it!
you yanks are way too litigious...
Posted by: Alastair | Mar 4, 2007 8:58:08 AM
GAY PEOPLE SUCK!
THEY ARE ALL GOING TO HELL!
Posted by: Ken | Mar 8, 2007 9:36:28 AM