Gay-friendly online high school believed to be first of its kind

I certainly hope that Mr. Glick also opens up an online school that caters specifically to heterosexual people, so that he can say ""We want to make [heterosexuals] feel more confident about who they are." If he does not, I hope that there's a lawsuit with the MN DoE's name on it.

I would expect that an online school for Gay folk would just push them back in the closet, and in hiding from a world that will be waiting for them when they mature.

So what's the point?

Gosh, another one of these? Seriously, its like that school in NY that only caters to LGBT teens, the very highly selective performing arts high school only for LGBT teens. I find it difficult to understand that.

Just H3r3 wrote:

Gosh, another one of these? Seriously, its like that school in NY that only caters to LGBT teens, the very highly selective performing arts high school only for LGBT teens. I find it difficult to understand that.

As do I.

LIFE isn't segregated. I don't believe a segragated school can really prepare one for real life.

What a sad commentary about our times that there is even a need for this in the 21th Century.

EqualCivilRights wrote:

What a sad commentary about our times that there is even a need for this in the 21th Century.

There isn't a need. There is a difference bewteen need and want.

Beaver Cleaver wrote:

<quoted text>
There isn't a need. There is a difference bewteen need and want.

You beat me to it. What's really sad is that there are too many people who can't tell the difference between want and need.

A waste of tax dollars. We spend way too much in Minnesota on K-12 education and get this in return.

This is and things like this are the down fall of America !

The should call the school the "odd ducks" and make a good fight song for the football team

Talk about indoctrination!

I can't wait till they get back to having schools for students.

Phid wrote:

I certainly hope that Mr. Glick also opens up an online school that caters specifically to heterosexual people, so that he can say ""We want to make [heterosexuals] feel more confident about who they are." If he does not, I hope that there's a lawsuit with the MN DoE's name on it.

Very insightful. Heterosexuals do have a hard time finding opportunities in this culture or broad representation of their lifestyles. It's so hard for a heterosexual teen to grow up without all the privileges that are afforded to the GLBT community such as fear, intimidation, inequitable treatment under the law, and rampant homophobia. Well said!

"people of any age and sexual orientation can enroll."
Cool.

Again...I knew that an article like this would bring all the crazies and homophobes out in the open.

And again, I was right.

Phid wrote:

I certainly hope that Mr. Glick also opens up an online school that caters specifically to heterosexual people, so that he can say ""We want to make [heterosexuals] feel more confident about who they are." If he does not, I hope that there's a lawsuit with the MN DoE's name on it.

An example of the hardships of being heterosexual:

On a daily basis as a straight person…

* I can be pretty sure that my classmates will be comfortable with my sexual orientation.
* If I pick up a magazine, watch TV, or play music, I can be certain my sexual orientation will be represented.
* When I talk about my heterosexuality (such as in a joke or talking about my relationships), I will not be accused of pushing my sexual orientation onto others.
* I am not accused of being abused, warped or psychologically confused because of my sexual orientation.
* I am never asked to speak for everyone who is heterosexual.
* I can be sure that my classes will require curricular materials that testify to the existence of people with my sexual orientation.
* People don't ask why I made my choice of sexual orientation.
* My sexual orientation was never associated with a closet.
* People of my gender do not try to convince me to change my sexual orientation.
* I don't have to defend my heterosexuality.
* I can easily find a religious community that will not exclude me for being heterosexual.
* I am guaranteed to find sex education literature for couples with my sexual orientation.
* If my day, week, or year is going badly, I need not ask of each negative episode or situation whether it has sexual orientation overtones.
* Whether I rent or I go to a theater, Blockbuster, an EFS or TOFS movie, I can be sure I will not have trouble finding my sexual orientation represented.
* I am guaranteed to find people of my sexual orientation represented in the curriculum, faculty, and administration.
* I can choose to not think politically about my sexual orientation.
* I do not have to worry about telling my class about my sexuality. It is assumed I am a heterosexual.
* I can remain oblivious of the language and culture of LGBTQ folk without feeling in my culture any penalty for such oblivion.
* I can go for months without being called straight.
* My individual behavior does not reflect on people who identity as heterosexual.
* In everyday conversation, the language my friends and I use generally assumes my sexual orientation. For example, sex inappropriately referring to only heterosexual sex or family meaning heterosexual relationships with kids.
* I can kiss a person of the opposite gender on the heart or in the cafeteria without being watched and stared at.
* Nobody calls me straight with maliciousness.
* People can use terms that describe my sexual orientation and mean positive things (IE "straight as an arrow", "standing up straight" or "straightened out" ) instead of demeaning terms (IE "ewww, that's gay" or being "queer" ).
* I am not asked to think about why I am straight.

That's it. I'm sending in my renewal today for the next several years instead of just 6 months like I often do. This paper is getting better all the time. We have had many feel-good, touching stories like this every day this week. Kudos to the PP!

I'm glad to see that bisexuals like me are finally starting to get some attention and the rights we demand and need. Our society is too focused on breeders and suburbanites and their "needs." Gays and lesbians are finally starting to get some of their rights. There is still a long ways to go before they equal the rights of heteros, but we as a society are at least moving in the right direction. It seems like the last group of people that anyone ever thinks of are the bisexuals like me. We demand our rights just like the heteros and our gay and lesbian brothrs and sisters!

It's sad that this story is only talking about older students. We really need to help out the bisexual and gay and lesbian students in our elementary schools. There are millions of them and they are completely ignored! But today I'm going to try to stay positive and realize that at least this is a small step in the right direction.

Mr Jones wrote:

I can't wait till they get back to having schools for students.

I can't wait until completely out of touch nutjobs like you grow up.

Next will be "school for chubby kids" ... so they don't compare themselves to thin kids.

and how about those weirdo red-heads??

and kids who are tall and lanky...they always feel uncomfortable and clutzy around 'regular' kids

and how about a school for 'only child' kids -- so they have a more 'family atmosphere' school

and how about just plain ugly kids??

Really though -- does a sixth grader REALLY know or understand their sexuality ???