Students around the country each year participate in a Day of Silence to raise attention around anti-LGBTQ bullying in schools, but some assholes at McGuffey High School in Pennsylvania took decided to host their own event the day before, calling it “Anti-Gay Day.” Students wore flannel and wrote “anti-gay” on their hands to show their hatred for LGBTQ classmates and hung posters on the lockers of LGBTQ kids, whether out or just “suspected” and hassled them in the halls.
It didn’t stop there though. The organizers continued the harassment by wearing red or orange the next day, and have reportedly circulated a “lynch list” with the names of students to target; a string of events are also planned for this week. In the meantime, the school is trying to get to the bottom of it. Superintendent, Dr. Erica Kolat said in a statement:
“Yesterday afternoon, April 16, 2015, allegations of harassment were brought to the attention of our administration. McGuffey School District, along with school police officers, continue to investigate all allegations. We will follow our Student Code of Conduct, and file legal citations, as warranted. We resolve to ensure that all children can grow and learn in a safe, supportive environment free from discrimination.”
But students say not enough is being done to prevent the sustained discrimination, and many are fearful about returning to school…
“It’s sad to me. It’s a high school. We should feel safe here. We don’t, and it’s starting to get worse.”
I went through this in Texas myself, years ago as many gay kids have… this organized “protest” though is worse because one imagines teachers are in some way complicit. Otherwise, kids with “anti-gay” written on their hands would be hauled down to the principals office an suspended. 2015 in America? Sad.
(via Vocativ)
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