07/20/2009
Gay Teen Targeted with Bullying, Harassment at 4-H Camp
A story out of West Virginia involving a gay teen at a 4-H camp that sounds not unlike many of the recent school bullying incidents lately. The 15-year-old was reportedly taunted for an hour and a half
"A mother from Jackson County, W.Va., says her teenage son was brutally harassed at summer 4-H camp because he's gay. 'He was unconscionable, he was, he could barely speak,' says the boy's mother, Valera White. White said the language was so vile that she can't categorize what was said. A spokeswoman for the 4H camp
says that the two boys in question were sent home from camp, though the
family says there were actually three people. The
spokesperson also says 4H always works to create an environment for
children to feel safe. She says that counselors were nearby during the
attack. The victim says they were on the porch of the cabin while the attack went on. As
for why no one checked on the children during this time is unclear. So
are the rules as to how often counselors check-in on the children. If
those counselors will be reprimanded won't be known because the 4H
spokeswoman says it's a personnel issue. The
victim says there were about two dozen other kids in the cabin at the
time of the attack, but they didn't tell anyone for fear they would be
the next target."
Not a lot of specifics, but watch WSAZ's reports, AFTER THE JUMP...
(sorry, video embeds don't seem to be working - story here)
Posted 11:45 AM EST by Andy Towle |
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WSAZ's report doesn't show up.
Posted by: Mike in the Tundra | Jul 20, 2009 12:14:39 PM
Our moms' that support us are our greatest allies and we should put more of them smack dab in the middle of the gay rights "PR campaign"
My mom personally threw a Jehovah's Witness, who was a casual friend, out of her house when she started dissing me. My sister reported some neighbor kids for hate speech/harassment for calling everyone they didn't like "f*ggots"
YOU DON'T MESS WITH MY CHILD!!!!
Posted by: Qjersey | Jul 20, 2009 12:16:51 PM
I guess one of the 4 H's they teach is Hate?
Posted by: LD | Jul 20, 2009 12:33:47 PM
As of now there's no video on this post.
I'm interested to know whether there was any physical violence. I was a camper and a counselor for many years, and we all know that there is lots of verbal harrassment that goes on, just like at every school and park in the world. Verbal violence based on hatred is as unacceptable and vile as physical violence based on hatred, to be sure. But I think we should at least slightly attempt to resist our decline into a hypersensitive PC-worshipping society.
I guess what I mean is, at some point we all had to grow a pair. All harrassment is unacceptable, but we all went through it, and it made us who we are today. Teach your kids to not be victims, and yet not to fight back, and we'll all be better off.
Posted by: JeffRob | Jul 20, 2009 12:59:34 PM
Here is the link to the news story:
http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/51064322.html
Posted by: Andy | Jul 20, 2009 1:03:39 PM
JeffRob,
You're an idiot. Just because people endured harassment in the past does not mean that people today should have to endure it today.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Posted by: nate | Jul 20, 2009 1:43:01 PM
Nate:
The point is it's absolutely silly to expect kids to never, ever, ever be mean to each other. It's freaking national news that a kid was really verbally mean to another? Get real! We will never be able to kiss every boo-boo and wipe away every tear.
The camp addressed the issue, the bullies were sent home. I wasn't aware that ENDA had already passed, DADT was repealed, and marriage equality had been achieved nationwide so we have time for this nonsense.
Posted by: Kevin | Jul 20, 2009 1:55:47 PM
It is absolutely silly and dangerously stupid to condone verbal abuse or to sweep it under the carpet with stupid, stupid, stupid excuses about "we can't stop it".
It comes across as "we can't stop it, so we should let these monsters destroy other kids".
Posted by: Blurgle | Jul 20, 2009 2:19:24 PM
4-H does have a policy of non-discrimination which includes sexual orientation. It's been that way for many years. While I don't condone the actions of the kids or their counselors. The organization is progressive regarding sexual orientation. Unlike the Boy Scouts or America. Of course this is West Virginia and those red necks would be quick to beat up a faggot. We can only hope that the State organization will provide better training for future camp staffers.
Posted by: Jim | Jul 20, 2009 2:23:24 PM
Kevin,
There's a difference between teasing and bullying!
Posted by: nate | Jul 20, 2009 2:26:31 PM
He was "unconscionable"?? Maybe inconsolable?
Posted by: seattle mike | Jul 20, 2009 2:37:13 PM
From JeffRob: "Teach your kids to not be victims, and yet not to fight back, and we'll all be better off."
Indeed. The family is not being a victim. They are speaking up and fighting back, and in a righteous, assertive manner. Speaking up like this family is doing is great example of growing a pair, to use JeffRob's term.
The bullsh*t response would be to let this go...and allow it to perpetuate, "because kids have always tortured other kids, especially the gay ones." To which I say: F*ck that.
What allegedly happened at that camp is inexcusable. Period.
Posted by: Be Assertive | Jul 20, 2009 2:41:58 PM
To echo Jim, my girl went to 4-H camp for years growing up and most of her best friends are still the ones from those days--including all the gay guys. They are VERY gay-teen friendly, and she went on to co-found the gay-straight alliance at her high school (she's straight, not that it matters).
This is obviously the kind of scenario that could have played out at any summer camp in the country.
Posted by: mick | Jul 20, 2009 2:58:55 PM
amen to jim ang mick. surprisingly, 4-H has been an ally for years. don't let the agricultural background throw you. don't assume.
@ nate...
no, there really ISN'T a difference between teasing and bullying, just because the scars are not as visible. cruelty is cruelty, no matter what you name it.
Posted by: jack | Jul 20, 2009 7:42:05 PM
@LD -- actually, it's head, heart, hands, and health. Don't be a bitch.
I became very successful in 4-H as a grade-school student, and the acceptance of me as a gay male was a defining force in my life. I actually was elected district and state officer while openly gay, by my peers…4-H has been very very progressive and non-discriminating and I know many gay youth that thrive and go on to be very successful because of such a supportive, nurturing environment, including myself.
Posted by: Chris | Jul 21, 2009 2:36:50 PM
I am a WV 4-Her. The county that this particular camp took place at does not use West Virginia University Extension trained camping instructors like the other counties in the state. WV 4-H should not be faulted because of the situation because the camp was not under its control.
Posted by: Matthew | Jul 25, 2009 6:10:10 PM