One for the Good Guys
I am of a certain age where I can finally look back on my high school years with fondness and a certain amount of nostalgia. However, it does not take much introspection to recall the pain and misery that consumed me during that time mainly because I was so terrified that someone would find out I was gay–and I had it good–I went to a liberal high school in an affluent community. I was friends with people in all the different ‘cliques’ from the jocks to Student Council to the Jappy girls who appeared to have nary a brain, to the burn-outs (with whom I would share the occasional cigarette), and of course let me not forget the drama geeks (where I really found my home). AND I had a boyfriend for over a year as a Sophomore (of course no one really knew). But there was still no room to ‘come out’ per se. As far as I knew, it had never been done…certainly not in our tony
Chicago suburb.
Well times have certainly changed. Now kids are coming out earlier and earlier and with over 3000 Gay/Straight Alliances, there is even a built-in support system. And now we are even beyond that. Take the case of Bethany Laccone, a high schooler who was forced to turn her t-shirt inside out because it had a lesbian pride symbol on it. Just because some uptight twat of a teacher was offended, this young girl’s right to freedom of speech was thwarted. She was even threatened with a suspension if she did not comply.
“When my teacher told me she wanted me to turn my t-shirt inside-out or cover it up, I was confused, because I have worn that shirt to school several times before and nobody said anything about it. I wear that shirt because I want people to know that I am proud of being a lesbian and comfortable with being who I am,” said Bethany Laccone, the 17 year-old high school student.
She was told that the shirt violated the dress code…what horse shit. Teachers are there to TEACH not PREACH. Even if it did offend her, which in my opinion who give a shit, that still does not give her the right to violate ANYONE’S First Amendment rights, especially a student. What are they teaching these kids?!
Luckily, our little activist lesbian did not stand for such abuse and contacted the ACLU. They immediately took up her case and WON based on the precedent setting Tinker vs Des Moines, which guarantees students the right to freedom of expression & speech and that those rights need not be shed at the gates of any academic institution.
So the ACLU recently DEMANDED an apology for Bethany and that punitive action be taken against the school. AMEN!
Ya know, I always hate the way people bandy about the term “hero.” To me Bethany really is a hero. I cannot imagine a.) being out in HS, b.) wearing a t-shirt that announced it to everyone, and c.) standing up to my teachers, Vice Principal and the School Board. Of course, NOW it seems like a no brainer–but back then? NO WAY.
So I say Kudos to Bethany and to all those ‘kids’ out there who are brave enough and possess the inner strength to be out and proud in High School. Let’s see John Hughes make a film about that! (Did I just date myself?)
January 9th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Weren’t you dating John Bolger in high school?
January 11th, 2008 at 4:43 am
I had a teacher who told the class that gay people never amount to anything and invariably end up dying early anyway as a result of HIV/AIDS or drug overdose. I’m a total mo and just started my first optometric practice abroad. Maybe I should send that teacher a letter…
I was the only “out” kid in my high school (and that was only 8 years ago). My little bro goes to the same school and there are at least ten he could name off the top of his head.
I think that’s progress.