Iowa Schools Criticized For Not Protecting Gay Students

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/11/111405iowa.htm

A survey conducted by an association representing gay high school students shows a majority of the students say their school offers no protection against harassment based on sexual orientation, leaders of the group said today.

The Iowa Pride Network surveyed 175 students in 48 school districts and found that 58 percent of the students reported their school has no policy to protect gay students, while nearly 75 percent said faculty members rarely or never intervened when homophobic remarks were made in their presence.

‘‘These numbers clearly indicate that a majority of Iowa schools are failing when it comes to providing safe learning environments,’’ said Ryan Roemerman, head of the Iowa Pride Network. ‘‘Violence and harassment continues to be the rule, not the exception.’’

[xchrom]

1. my family is originally from iowa

i have a lot of relatives from there --

i avoid them all like the plague for reasons just like this.

they feel completely justified in their bigotry and hate.

[Debi]

2. I want to defend one small portion of Iowa

The Cedar Falls School District started a group at CF High School called 'Harmony'. This group is designed as a place where all people can be accepted (kind of a landing place for all who slip between the cracks). Harmony embraces different races, religions, sexual orientation and abilities.

Harmony designates one meeting specifically to gay/straight issues and has on-going discussions about acceptance of all individuals.

My child has physical and mental disabilities and feels safe in this group as he doesn't fit into sports/band/student government. It gives him a group of friends that are non-judgmental and supportive.

Maybe this isn't a far enough step, but it works in this very small part of Iowa.

We're not all filled with bigotry and hate and it's unfair for you to judge almost three million people because of a few jerks.

[xchrom]

3. hey -- i'm glad your kid has a safe place.

i've spent half my life in the midwest -- wouldn't want to live there again.

[Debi]

4. I would love to see this program implemented in every high school

It provides a safe place for people who don't have a clique to hand out with all the while educating the kids that we all have something in common even if we don't look/act/pray/dress/work the same.

There are about 70 kids in the group at CF High and really seems to work well for the whole school.

Just seems that more than rules and laws need to change (although Iowa needs more inclusive laws and harsher penalties for bullying and hate crimes) attitudes need to change in this state. Iowa isn't just hick farmers and small minded rural church goers. We need to keep adjusting to changes.

Cedar Falls (with the University of Northern Iowa) seems to me to be a pretty open town. Maybe I don't see the discrimination, I certainly don't see it at the high school.

:hi: Iowa isn't all bad, sorry your experience was terrible.