Led by 16-year-old Leanne Iskander, students at St. Joseph’s Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga (in southern Ontario) were snubbed by administrators when they asked to set up a gay-straight alliance because, they were told by principal Frances Jacques, “There’s already supports in place at the school, such as guidance counsellors. Also, a GSA is premature for your age.” Except the kids who asked for a GSA are now proving why the school should be encouraging them to set one up: Ever since their request went public, these kids are now being picked on by classmates.
Turned down in their bid to start a gay-straight club, students at a Mississauga Catholic high school say they are being bullied by peers for even asking for the club. “It’s very upsetting and just shows why we really need a GSA (gay-straight alliance),” said Grade 11 student Taechun Menns, one of the group asking for the club, who said a classmate at St. Joseph Secondary School took a gay newspaper he was reading in class and threw it in the garbage.
However, Menns said students have been assured the school is investigating the backlash, which includes a student posting an Old Testament quote against homosexuality as his Facebook status that drew more than 60 “likes” or nods of approval. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board “takes bullying very seriously and is investigating those allegations right now,” said spokesperson Bruce Campbell, who would not give details.
Ya know what would be a great idea for LGBT students who are struggling with bullying at school? A place for them to meet together to find some solidarity, and plan a strategy to counter their tormenters!
In the meantime, may I present to you the school’s own “trailer,” because this is what school resources should be used on:
[http://www.sjssonline.com/dynamite.flv https://queerty-prodweb.s3.amazonaws.com/2011/04/stcah424.jpg 650 400]
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
The sane Francis
This is the perfect example of older bigots essentially brainwashing kids into believing homosexuality is wrong, and therefore making it perfectly acceptable to gay bash and be anti-gay. This is why organized religion is such a calamitous subject with the gay community/gay rights supporters. These bigots are creating a culture of division and hate, and feel perfectly entitled to do so in the name of Jesus. Really sick.
Exothermic Joe
Catholic School Boards in Ontario get public tax dollars. They should follow the Canadian Charter of Rights or give the money back. Our constitution says we have to have Catholic schools, but it doesn’t say we have to pay for them with our taxes.