A special-ed teacher in Sullivan, Indiana is among those lobbying for a prom that bans LGBT youth as she claims gays serve no purpose in life.
Diana Medley, along with parents, students and Christian pastors met on Sunday at Sullivan Christian Church where the Sullivan High School prom is expected to be held. If Medley and her compatriots have their way, however, LGBT students won’t be part of this night to remember.
Unsurprisingly, Medley doesn’t believe anyone is born gay.
“I believe that it was life circumstances and they chose to be that way,” she told NBC affiliate, WTWO. “Homosexual students come to me with their problems, and I don’t agree with them, but I care about them. It’s the same thing with my special needs kids, I think God puts everyone in our lives for a reason.”
Everyone, that is, except homosexuals. When asked if LGBT people have a purpose in life, Medley responds, “No I honestly don’t. Sorry, but I don’t. I don’t understand it. A gay person isn’t going to come up and make some change unless it’s to realize that it was a choice and they’re choosing God.”
But not every Sullivan, Indiana resident shares Medley’s opinion.
“We shouldn’t be condemning people, and that’s what judgement is. Christ came to save the people not to condemn them,” said local man Jim Davis. “Love them as a person. You don’t have to love what they do, because the gays may not love all the mistakes you make.”
The anti-inclusive prom committee is working to gather funds and had created a Facebook group to publicize their efforts, but that has mysteriously disappeared. Meanwhile, those in favor of an unbiased prom experience have started their own Facebook group, which currently has over 1,100 members.
Ron Jackson
I really do believe that women are more homophobic than men. This woman should not be allowed near children, let alone teach.
Chad Hunt
This woman needs to be fired. Schools are an extension of GOVERNMENT. The purpose of schools is to provide the United States with citizens and workers. Religion has no place in our school system. By stating that GAY students have no purpose in life she has violated the teachers code of conduct. Everyone should call the state of Indiana Board of Education and ask to speak with their Division of Professional Standards and make a complaint. (317) 232-9010 is the phone number. Press 0 to speak with an operator and make your complaint. Again, her name is Diana Medley and She works in the Sullivan school district as a special ed teacher.
Caliban
Yet another stupid fucking religious freak who shouldn’t be anywhere near a public school. I would hope that even in Indiana people see how outrageous this is and Ms Medley is about to get her lunch eaten.
QJ201
@Chad Hunt: AGREED
If all the experts in science agree that homosexuality is not a choice and if the American Psychological Association (and others) denounce reparative therapy and toss out members who endorse it, then it is time for “educators” like this to have their teaching license revoked for promoting personal beliefs ahead of science. Same goes the anti-evolution “educators.”
c3vette72
People like this need put on camps and gassed! They are the reason the world is how it is….If a gay person does not have a purpose in life, it’s because they’re not getting the proper education they deserve. It starts with schools folks. If she done her homework, she would see many, many, many gay people have a purpose in life and done well all around. I can go on for days, but unless i can get her shit canned, i won’t be happy with the outcome. The parents of the child that has her for a teacher, should really think about what she is doing. She is corrupting our children.
Merv
The original story at the link is not very well written, but it sounds like the Christians have decided not to attend the official prom, but instead attend a separate unofficial one of their own. If so, then the non-crazy students should be happy to be rid of them. As one of the commenters said, “Sounds like the real prom just got a lot more fun!!”
Scribe38
@Ron Jackson: I have never had to punch a woman for attacking me emotionally or physically for being gay. I have had to fight several men in the past for forgetting that even though I am gay, I am also a man. Yeah women like this “lady” might say something stupid or worse, but it is other men that I find that will physically attack or try to kill you for simply being gay. I will take a smaller homo-hater over one who matches me in weight any day.
jwrappaport
Jim Davis, the “local man” has a far more insidious view: “We love you, but think you’re disordered and need a good dose of the Old Testament, so come on to Church!”
Ridpathos
I wonder if she believes her special ed students chose to be that way, and it’s up to her to make them choose differently. I am a teacher, and I think this teacher gives all sped teachers a bad name.
2eo
If you want to get in touch with her directly, do it here.
Diana L Medley
5260 E County Road 700 S
Carlisle, IN 47838-8149
1EqualityUSA
Thus quoth the maven,
“I think God puts everyone in our lives for a reason.”
Jeffrey
Isn’t this 2013 & Not 1970!! This teacher shud be fired!! ..We have accomplished so many things in these times..when we have to face barriers every day…I’m in Michigan were they can fire u if ur gay!! I’m also a polictians kid…and steppin up soon…I decided to go into polictics and go against who ever is against wat we believe in…I feel this teacher has her own rights..but don’t need to mock any Gays!!..She shud be fired for discrimination!!
Dana
Diana Medley needs to be fired. What a horrific situation she is creating for students at that school. Ugh, I’m infuriated!
hf2hvit
She should be crucifed…upside down…while on her period…on an anthill
1EqualityUSA
As if these special needs children didn’t already have enough on their plate, they, via luck of the draw, they get this self-righteous homophobic, hate-filled, Biblically illiterate woman feeding their minds with hate. She must be so proud of herself and her church. Jesus never said a word about gays, but Ms. Diane Medley hate-strewn face, speaks for Him in His absence. She’s going right up there with Princeton’s Robert P. George-NOM-skull, New Hampshire’s Nancy “wiggle” Elliott, Brian AFA-dusting-off-his-“D”-word Fischer, Liberty Counsel’s Matt Barber seeking a wage increase, Pastor Curtis Latent Knapp of New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca, Kansas who thinks the government should slaughter gays, Mark Zuckerberg-friend-of-Chris-veto-Christie, John weeping Boehner, Antonin hate the gays and use my position to harm them Scalia, Samuel-in-the-shadow of the Vatican Alito, the forgettable were it not for the pubic hair on the coke Clarence Thomas who follows silently, sulking and alone, Strap-the-dog-to-the-roof-of-the-car-until-he-blows-diarrhea-and-vomits Romney, Pastor electric fence Whorley and the rest……..here on Gallgher’s Isle!
Polaro
Very reminiscent of what bigots used to say about blacks before our society finally told them to STFU. There is a reason gay people leave states like Indiana, this being one of them. And, it is part of the reason why places like Indiana are boring wastelands of mediocrity. Its a real shame. The good news is that, even in Indiana, it is becoming embarrassing to be this backward.
c3vette72
@2eo: She’s got ball putting her address out there
c3vette72
@Jeffrey: If your going into politics, i think the first mission is to eliminate people like her. I realise that’s easier said then done, however, once that’s done all gay rights would be a piece of cake. If she personally feels that way, that’s her choice. I don’t think she should be setting examples for children. I do wanna get her fired…I wouldnt have any idea how to go about it though.
kerbey
Her email address is: [email protected]
kerbey
@Chad Hunt: I called and they wouldn’t take the complain. Said I needed to call the Northeast School Corporation at 812-397-2132. I have not called yet…
hyhybt
Interesting. Usually, the “gay people serve no purpose” business relies on the notion, absurd enough on its own of course, that the only purpose any human can have is to produce offspring. Yet high schools generally and rightly discourage their students from having children. Not forever, but for now.
samwise343
I’m thankful that no matter how much I hate this _______, God will forgive me.
Evji108
@Ron Jackson: yes on their own they are the worst, but the absolute worst homophobes are the self-loathing, totally closeted in denial gays who lash out at other gay men in a effort to deny their own gayhood.
Chad Hunt
@kerbey: Stange … they took mine this morning, but I’ll call that number to and double whammy her.
jim2008
Duct tape and a plastic bag is a good way to get rid of the garbage. Smelly.
Chris Vogel
This is not uncommon in the US; into the 1990’s, to today, many rural highschools in the south conduct racially segregated proms, and when they are forced or bribed (it took Morgan Freeman, an embarrassing documentary, and $17,000 to cajole his high school in Charleston Mississippi into an integration in 2008) to integrate their prom, some parents and students then organize a whites-only prom.
Stache1
Medley, a special education teacher, doesn’t believe anyone is born gay.
“I believe that it was life circumstances and they chose to be that way,”
I’d like to know what research (not the bible) she can reference to support that belief. I”ll just bet she can’t. What a nice bigot she is.
queerty1958
@hf2hvit: Come on. Don’t sugar coat it. Tell us you really feel! 😉
queerty1958
She is going to have to answer for the stupidity of her own words and misguided beliefs. And there is no bigotry, like religious bigotry! Diana Medley and people like her, reminds me of the reason why people were fleeing Europe in the Seventeenth century to escape religious persecution.
I don’t advocate violence in any form, but sometimes certain people like Diana Medley, make me feel like slapping her in the face!
Garth
Since her address is out there maybe she is hoping a man will get in touch with her …any man
Aidan8
“Homosexual students come to me with their problems, and I don’t agree with them, but I care about them. It’s the same thing with my special needs kids, I think God puts everyone in our lives for a reason.”
Um, f*ck you and your “caring.” You don’t “care” but you won’t face that fact. Own it… you are a christofascist. Period.
Aidan8
BJ… what, no apology for this woman? Hmmm? Where’s the righteous indignation in her defense? Please please tell us how we are “liberal haters” and so “intolerant.” Please… we await your wisdom imparted to each post…
Joincny
Is this the only kind of thing these types of people know how to do? Single out gays? I mean between the inbreeding, and church, you’d think they’d be too busy.
Presty15
Unpopular, untouchable bitch who never got asked to her own prom
Tom-NY
contact Sullivan County superintendent Chris Stitzle @ [email protected]
Brian
Women are extremely homophobic towards gay and bisexual men. They fear us because we are men and because we are men who have rejected them sexually.
When we are segregated into our gay scenes, we don’t represent a threat to women’s egos. But when we enter the mainstream – in the form of proms etc – that’s when a woman’s homophobic claws come out. Women are our greatest enemy.
tjport1980
I would pull my kids out of that school so fast they would think a Tornado hit town. Bigots have no place teaching.
fetch3535
Mark these words… sooner or later this sow will be arrested for nailing some 14-year-old boy. Or girl. Or both. Pompous €unts like this always have sexual skeletons to hide.
startenout
I always assume that when someone says they know that we have a choice to be gay or lesbian, that they themselves are a closeted gay or lesbian and have been with people of their own gender, but they “chose” to live as straight people.
How else would they “know”?
It’s okay Diana. The lesbians I know wouldn’t want you anyway, so please continue to choose to live your life as a heterosexual.
Chad Hunt
@Tom-NY: … thanks for that … wrote a letter to Diana, her superintendent and the state licensing board.
KateH
@Brian: Wow, Brian. I don’t even know what to say to this. Where the hell is this coming from? I’m sure you’ve come up against homophobic women in your time, but there are a LOT of women, straight women, who are fully supportive of equal treatment, equal rights, equal everything for gays, male and female. I’m one of them. And every female I call a relative or friend is in that group as well. Some of them even consider themselves religious. Some of them even dissent from the hatefully stupid teachings of the churches they attend. Some of them have spoken before their congregations in support of acceptance for homosexuals in their churches, and have seen those changes effected. (Just to clarify: I’m NOT one of the religious ones.) Before you alienate and condemn nearly half the human race, a large chunk of which stands ready to fight your corner, maybe you should check your own bigoted assumptions.
Billysees
I can’t understand her desire to exclude student lgbt’s.
It’s not like the whole prom is gonna be swamped with them.
What?…….maybe few couples.
These same students surely have friends that would enjoy their company.
This whole thing is about stupidity.
Teachers have got to be better than that.
As far as their churches input about the matter, why can’t they reveal these —
1. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way……Romans 14:13
2. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God……Romans 15:7
3. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love……Ephesians 4:2
4. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble……1 Peter 3:8
hf2hvit
@queerty1958: And that’s after force feeding her a bowl of pus-filled herpetic carbuncles.
Dionte
Oh Diana, I advise you to take cover.
queerty1958
It is interesting that the image behind her with the three people, actually looks like a lesbian couple with a daughter. That’s instant karma!
Chad Hunt
Here is a letter I received after writing to the Sullivan Schools Superintendent:
Mr. Hunt
At Southwest School Corporation we value the importance of extra-curricular activities and encourage all students to get involved and actively participate in activities, dances, or school related events at all of our schools.
Our Grand March, Junior-Senior Prom, and Post Prom is scheduled for April 27th, and we encourage all of our students to participate.
I would also like to clearly state that the SWSC has never denied any student the right to attend any event, extra-curricular activity, dance, or prom based on their race, gender, sex, or sexual orientation. As superintendent it is my view that we treat each student with respect and dignity at all times.
The only time we have denied a student from attending a school sponsored activity is because of disciplinary reasons or if they were not one of our students and did not follow the procedures for being admitted as a guest.
We do prohibit anyone who is the age of 21 or older from attending the prom or school dances.
It is important to note that the Southwest School Corporation and Sullivan High School is not affiliated nor in anyway responsible for the Alternative Prom.
Information reported by WTWO Channel 2 out of Terre Haute, IN concerning Diana Medley. They identified her as a special education teacher, it did not state where she was employed, I want to make it clear she is NOT EMPLOYED by the SOUTHWEST SCHOOL CORPORATION which was not included in the story. In no way does the Southwest School Corporation support her beliefs.
Sincerely,
Chris Stitzle
Superintendent
Chad Hunt
Here is my response to the superintendent:
Mr. Stitzle,
I want to thank you for taking the time to explain to me your policy when it comes to student extracurricular activities. I also commend you on your inclusiveness. I understood from the story I had read on several sites that the alternative prom was being offered elsewhere. This was not my concern. My concern was that a teacher of your school district had took it upon herself to exclude students of the LGBT community and remark that such students, ”had no purpose in life.” I am thrilled to find that she does not work for your school system and am hoping that you may know what school system she is employed at so I can direct my complaint to the proper administration.
Thank you for your time,
Chad Hunt
Raquel Santiago
@Chad Hunt:
Schools are only an extension of government IF they accept federal or state funding. Private schools sometimes do not fall under that. That said, i agree she should not be teaching, where the hell did she get her degree from a crack jack box
Chad Hunt
Now they have really gone and PISSED ME OFF … This is the school system that Diana Medley DOES work for’s statement:
LISTED ON NORTHEAST SCHOOL CORPATION
http://www.nesc.k12.in.us/news/letter.pdf
I would like to clearly state the Northeast School Corporation has never denied any student the right to attend prom or any other Northeast School Corporation sponsored event due to their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Furthermore, the Northeast School Corporation has never denied any student access to any events sponsored by Northeast School Corporation. This includes sports, plays, musicals and any other extra-curricular activities.
In regards to the story that WTWO aired on February 10, 2013, the Northeast School Corporation employee that was interviewed was expressing her First Amendment rights. The views expressed are not the views of the Northeast School Corporation and/or the Board of Education.
These comments were expressed during a Sunday community meeting at a local church and at no time was she representing the Northeast School Corporation. The teacher was participating in a meeting with her local church congregation.
The Northeast School Corporation is a public school where all students have equal rights and access to all programs.
Northeast School Corporation
Dr. Mark A. Baker- Superintendent
406 North Vine Street
P.O. Box 493
Hymera, Indiana 47855
[email protected]
Phone: (812) 383-5761
Fax: (812) 383-4591
…. How Dare they just dismiss her and her action as her first amendment rights. She is an educator and as such I know first hand as an educator myself that teachers are accountable for things they say and do outside of school. If she would have used the “N” word or said something like, “all african-americans are lazy (insert any other minority slur here) and serve no purpose in life”, she would have been fired, but since it is only about some faggots we plan on doing nothing.
We need to write to this idiot superintendent as well as the Indiana State School Board.
Chad Hunt
@Raquel Santiago: Few schools do not receive some type of subsistence from the government and she clearly works for a public school. Having said that. Teachers all have to licensed by the state. Therefore she is accountable on a state level.
Chad Hunt
This is my letter to Mr. Baker
Mr Baker,
How dare you sir. How dare you reduce the statements made by Diana Medley as her First Amendment right. How dare you say that she is not a representative of Northeast Schools when she is outside of her classroom. I am also an educator and as such I know first hand that we are always accountable to the Office of Professional Conduct even outside of school grounds or functions for the things we do and say that are made public. She has made a vile, heinous statement about the LGBT community and thereby extension to any LGBT student who may reside within the Northeast school system. By stating that, “Homosexuals (thereby LGBT students) have no purpose in life”, etc she has rendered herself ineffective to part of your student body. When I think of all of the teen suicides of late of LGBT children and then think how it is exactly statements made like this by teachers etc that will lead children to these suicides it sickens me. It sickens me that your obvious intent is to do nothing. You sir are obviously as ineffective as an administrator as she is a teacher. I for one have already lodged a complaint to the state licensing board about Mrs. Medley and apparently now I need to draft one to the school board in regards to your ineffectiveness in handling this situation as well as an administrator of the Northeast School System.
1EqualityUSA
Mr. Hunt, I sent an email to Mr. Baker asking that Ms. Medley be fired for her bigoted words. How do we contact the board? Do you know the contact info to complain to the State Board about her homophobic words?
1EqualityUSA
Queerty1958 wrote, “It is interesting that the image behind her with the three people, actually looks like a lesbian couple with a daughter. That’s instant karma!”
This is so fun. I was taken in by the teacher’s mean eyes and never looked beyond that. Thanks for pointing out the alternative family behind this mean-spirited woman. Chad Hunt, thank you for being so outraged by this and writing to her superiors.
Chad Hunt
The name of the State Board Administrator is Becky Bowman … he email is … [email protected]
cowdenh
this is all stupid.. i am 15 and have new her for 3 years.. she was my teacher for two years.. yes i am in special ed class. she doesn’t deserve all of this and if u all have kids that goes where she teaches.. then make them go to a different school.. i am also a christan.. she is a good teacher and she is nice if u all knew her… i have to go to school listening to all this.. she was just giving her opinion….
Chad Hunt
@1EqualityUSA: see my post #54
Chad Hunt
@cowdenh: … and we are all just giving ours that she should be fired. I know it is hard for you to understand because you like and care for your teacher but what she has done is wrong on several levels. First she has made ugly remarks about a group of people in general and second she has tried to exclude students from a school activity. Teachers are responsible for their actions and words in and out of school just as you are responsible for yours at home and school. This is a lesson you will need to learn your whole life. if nothing else Ms Medley will be an example for you as to not what to do or how to treat people.
Chris Vogel
@cowdenh: Yes cowndeh, actually she does deserve all this. What she said was vicious and ugly, and evil and vain, and wrong and destructive. She is, of course, entitled to her opinion, and so are all of the other people who have given theirs, on this page and elsewhere. She is not the only person in the world who is entitled to have an opinion, and she is not, magically, immune from criticism of what she does. That is the essential characteristic of being an adult: being responsible for your actions.
1EqualityUSA
Chad Hunt, I wrote to Becky Bowman. Thanks for the address.
cowdenh, Thank you for your opinion and for standing up for what you believe. It is difficult to understand how teachers are seen as leaders and with that role comes responsibilities to the whole community, not just the ones deemed worthy. Bigotry and discriminating against those born differently are wrong and nobody should be more aware of this than a teacher. I am a Christian as well. Never in 33 years on this planet did Christ Jesus say one word about gays. Perhaps He understood what Rabbinical Paul (Saul) could not and that is that some are born with different orientations. Christ Jesus did, however, speak a great deal about not judging one another, as it usurps His power and places too much responsibility on mere mortals. The Reader of Hearts is capable of discerning motivation, not man and certainly not Ms. Medley. She has discounted many people with her callous opinions. Having been a nurse for 28 years, I can honestly say, without reservation, that I have, and still do, have a purpose in this world. These words of your teacher offends me and my community greatly and she would do right to apologize for her inconsiderate remarks immediately. Thank you for your loyalty to your teacher. I hope she can earn it by realizing that her words were hurtful and demeaning.
Billysees
Another black eye for Christianity ?
Adherents of the faith should remember these —
1. I tell you, on Judgment Day people will give an account for every thoughtless word they have uttered…Matthew 12:36
2. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned….Matthew 12:37
3. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell….James 3:6
ChiChi Man
Incredible. Thanks for all the info re addresses. We should all write letters, send emails and raze these fools. Diane Medley’s comment that we have “no purpose in life” is ludicrous. Do we need list all of the incredible, amazing LGBT people who have contributed to this planet? It would take a very very long time. For an educator to make such a preposterous statement should be grounds for dismissal – not just because her statement is bigoted, but because it is completely untrue.
If she’d said “Black people need to be slaves because they need to be led,” she’d be out of a job.
BUT for the poster who wrote that women are more homophobic than men — get a grip!
1EqualityUSA
https://www.change.org/petitions/diana-medley-the-northeast-school-corporation-of-sullivan-county-appropriate-disciplinary-action-to-mrs-medley-including-termination
There’s a few petitions circulating
Democratic Underground too.
Billysees
Why does it appear that every few weeks or so, someone who’s publicly visible and who identify with the Christian faith makes a comment that shows off their lesser qualities.
But the things which proceed out of the mouth, come forth from the heart, and those things defile a man or woman…..Matt 15:18
Chad Hunt
UPDATE … UPDATE … UPDATE … UPDATE … UPDATE … UPDATE … UPDATE
Ok, people, here is the story. This idiot superintendent keeps saying how it was Ms. Medley’s right to make her statements which is by all accounts correct. However, she is accountable to the Division of Professional Conduct for her statements and her actions. No one is saying Ms. Medley is not entitled to her opinion but by expressing publicly these discriminatory and inflammatory opinions and actions toward the LGBT community she is accountable not only to the Division of Professional Conduct but to her school system, staff, and student body. They obviously think this will just go away with time but we need to let them know that is not the case. Please keep sending letters to these Individuals and signing this petition. The Most important actions are to write Mr. Baker and Ms. Bowman as well as sign the petition.
Diana L Medley … Wicked Witch of the MidWest … [email protected]
Mark Baker … Superintendent where Diana Medley works … [email protected]
Becky Bowman … Administrator, Indiana State Board Of Education Division of Professional Conduct … [email protected]
Chris Stitzle … Superintendent of School Prom Diana Medley is trying to segregate from LGBT …
[email protected]
Sign the petition for disciplinary action against Ms. Medley here … change.org/petitions/diana-medley-the-northeast-school-corporation-of-sullivan-county-appropriate-disciplinary-action-to-mrs-medley-including-termination
Here is the most recent school statement. As you can see by the language they know they must do something but aren’t sure as what yet to do. We can not let this woman get away with this.
STATEMENT
The Northeast School Corporation is a public school where all students have equal rights and access to all programs.
I cannot emphasize enough the extent to which we are dismayed and disappointed with the statements made by a school employee who was expressing her own opinions as she attended a meeting outside of school or a school activity.
Her comments most definitely do not reflect our schools’ views or opinions and this employee was most certainly not representing our schools.
Please understand that while we do not support the employee’s opinions, we do recognize that each employee has some protection to express his or her opinion. The school also acknowledges speech protections to express opinions opposite of this employee’s. While personal opinions may be protected to some degree, it does not take away from the fact that the opinions this employee expressed are insensitive, unnecessary and hurtful.
We are saddened and share the concerns of those who disagree with the employee’s opinions.
As we endeavor to educate our wonderful students, we appreciate the encouragement we are receiving from members of our community who support our efforts to work through these very unfortunate circumstances.
Please understand we also are working diligently to treat everyone with dignity and respect and are working conscientiously to communicate with all involved. Our first priority is to ensure that our students feel welcome and safe in our schools.
Dr. Mark A. Baker- Superintendent
NORTHEAST SCHOOL CORPORATION of Sullivan County
Dawster
Well, at the very least, we are giving her some purpose… so…