Plan for Gay and Lesbian High School in Chicago Dropped
Plans for a gay and lesbian high school similar to the Harvey Milk school in New York have been shelved for now:
"The Chicago Board of Education was set to vote on the proposal Wednesday, but the educators who had been pushing the plan asked to be taken off the agenda late Tuesday. The school initially was going to be called the School for Social Justice Pride Campus partly focusing on gay issues. But last week, organizers changed the name to the Solidarity Campus and broadened its focus to include all disenfranchised groups of students. As late as Tuesday morning, some advocates were pushing the idea that the change was a good compromise. A few hours later, however, the group told Chicago Public Schools officials it would try to retool its ideas and ask for approval in a year."
In late October, Chicago mayor Richard Daley spoke out against plans for the school, warning it would "unduly segregate" the students.
As much as Im for safety in schools, I agree that glbt students shouldnt be segregated into their own school. we're trying to teach groups to understand each other and live with each other with respect - not separate them because they might not get along.
Posted by: TheDave | Nov 19, 2008 1:18:27 PM
Such a lost opportunity. In response to TheDave, they have their holes lives to mesh in with the rest of society, no time to mingle with each other and learn who they are in a safe environment where they know they can be free. To have that time and freedom is something straight people take for granted. I think I would have been better off had I had an environment at that age where I could have explored myself more fully, instead of in fear and repression, thinking I was all alone.
Posted by: Ryan | Nov 19, 2008 4:08:29 PM
Amen, RYAN. Those years may decided what you'll do with the rest of your life.
The daily horror of some gay/trans kids is unbearable...so they quit, and usually fail.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Nov 19, 2008 4:26:53 PM
This is back room politics at its opaque best. What really happened here? This is total b.s.
Posted by: Marc in Chicago | Nov 19, 2008 7:24:43 PM
Really mixed on this. I don't like that gay kids have to be segregated but I feel sad for those gay/trans kids that live on the south and west sides of chicago.
Posted by: brian chi | Nov 20, 2008 12:59:24 AM
Then I think it's time to start examining whether vocational schools "unduly segregate" students.
Posted by: Mark in NYC | Nov 20, 2008 10:07:42 AM