Marshalltown considers anti-gay bullying

[CornField]

When this group came to CR, the local Civil Rights Commission had a hissy fit. Guess which political party controls the CR Civil Rights Commission?

From April 3 DMR: http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060403/NEWS/60403018/1001&lead=1

Parent: Gay son could only last high school one day

Marshalltown father Doug Hensley wept as he explained why he believes gay and lesbian students should be specifically listed in school anti-harassment policies as protected from bullying.

Hensley said his son, who is gay, experienced harassment starting in the second grade, and, despite a passion for academics, quit high school after one day of 9th-grade classes.

“Even one of his teachers called him a faggot,” Hensley said before an audience of about 100 at a school board meeting Monday night. “My son was cheated out of a high school experience because he wasn’t safe in your hallways and classrooms. He was scared to death to be in school.”

Of the 365 school districts in Iowa, 77 have policies that spell out protection based on sexual orientation. That's about 20 percent of the districts.

When One Iowa came to Cedar Rapids last fall to hold an informational/discussion session regarding the treatment of homosexual students in the local school districts, the CR Civil Rights Commission pulled their sponsorship of the forum. THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION refused to sponsor the event because the group would not make it 50/50 --pro-gay/anti-gay.

Here's the gems from the article:

"If I say I disagree with homosexuality, according to what you've got here, if that makes someone uncomfortable, that's harassment, even if I say it in a loving way," Jech said.

Marshalltown resident Mary Blom, a certified teacher who is not currently teaching, said she worries the policy could force her to read books to children or teach curriculum that she would not approve of. She said she thinks the policy is actually an "agenda.”

[pstans]

1. I live in Marshalltown

and live just 1 block from the high school, where the meeting was held. There were cars parked all the way past my house, which is unusual. The meeting was very well attended by both supporters and non-supporters. After reading the article, my first thought is that parents aren't teaching their children respect and tolerance. No student should feel unsafe at school for any reason. Some of the comments clearly show there is a problem.

[rurallib]

2. Why is tolerance so damned hard?

I think the first lesson I ever learned was to mind my own business. Period. The second was the golden rule. I'd like to think those little gems are still part of nurturing a child everywhere. Even in freeper households.
On edit: I have a RW brother-in-law in Marshalltown and I wouldn't be surprised if he was in attendance. He is always willing to pass judgment on others despite his own very checkered past.

[Debi]

3. That is just sad n/t

[Cairycat]

4. Marshalltown was never a very tolerant place

I grew up there in the 60s and 70s and I can only imagine how hard it would have been at that time to not be white, straight and middle-class. Given the intolerance and ignorance I see on rare visits and occasionally reading the TR (M'town paper), what this kid has suffered is saddening but not surprising.

Marshalltown used to be a place where there were good blue-collar jobs (Fishers and Lennox) but the country and the economy are changing so much - I hope the people there can cope with the changes and learn to exist with different people.

[pstans]

5. The influx of Hispanics the last 10-15 years

has helped Marshalltown become more tolerant. Most people realize the town would not be growing without the Hispanics here.

[rurallib]

6. Welcome to DU, Cairycat

:toast: :toast: :toast:


I don't think a lot of Iowans realize that without the influx of Hispanics, Iowa would be losing population. As it is we barely break even for a 10 year cycle.