Religious Undercurrent Ripples In Anti-Gay Bullying

[Swede]

The Department of Education sent a letter to schools, colleges and universities Tuesday warning them that failing to stop bullying could violate federal anti-discrimination laws. The letter comes amid growing concern that there may be a religious undercurrent to the harassment of teens who are seen as gay.

Consider Justin Anderson, who graduated from Blaine High School outside Minneapolis last year. He says his teenage years were a living hell. From sixth grade on, he heard the same taunts.

"People say things like, 'Fags should just disappear so we don't have to deal with them anymore'; and, 'Fags are disgusting and sinful,' " he told the Anoka-Hennepin School Board. "And still, there was no one intervening. I began to feel so worthless and ashamed and unloved that I began to think about taking my life."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130837802

[LaurenG]

1. Oh yes, there is no doubt in my mind that this is who is doing this.

I have been on a forum from the El Paso Times dealing with how religion is killing our gay kids. It is quite eye opening.

[dsc]

2. I prayed so hard for God to change me since I knew in my heart

just how evil I really was. I cried and prayed and cried some more. Nothing happened, no matter who hard I tried. Of course, now I know why, God made me the way I am, no matter what those people think. But at the time, I was so sure they were right.

[Divine Discontent]

4. ditto

:hug:

[Divine Discontent]

3. If anyone's church teaches negativity towards GLBT folks, I pray that you will either get them to

stop it immediately, or leave the church for another that doesn't teach the youth of your church that Gays are sinful or wrong or gross or whatever that isn't "normal". Being Gay is normal for Gay people. As a Christian, by choice, and a Gay by God's glory I ask any other believer here to leave their church if they ignore your request to stop teaching the youth of your church that being Gay is against God.

JOHN 3:16 WHOSOEVER believes shall not perish, but have everlasting life (Jesus Christ)

www.gaychristian101.com

[krabigirl]

5. Ya think?

[gratuitous]

6. Or is religion being used as a shield for bigotry?

Nice to see some evangelicals and those usually tagged as "conservative" recognizing that bigotry dressed up in religious garb hurts them and their work. It's been very tiresome pointing this out through the years (on both ends of the political spectrum); maybe the message is finally penetrating, at least on one end?

[KurtNYC]

8. no -- it is the sword

their anti-gay act is one of the only money makers they have left.

[sally cat]

7. No kidding? Think how bad anti-gay bullying is in Islamic countries.

[gatorboy]

9. And Republicans are sooo jealous!