The return of seprate but equal???

Date: 12-5-12

Recently there was a proposed solution for bullying and discrimination toward bisexual, homosexual, etc. Which is to make an entire separate school for them. This way they will be separate from the bullies and near the people like them. There are some positive outlooks on this as well as many negative outlooks. This blog will highlight the main reasons to agree and disagree with this "Solution".

"Being segregated doesn't help gay kids learn, it doesn't help straight kids learn, it doesn't help bullies learn," says Ritch Savin-Williams
This statement is completely true. If  there are separate schools for homosexuals, bisexuals, etc. People will grow up with the illusion that they aren't like them and they wont associate with them. The less they are associated with the less likely they are to be accepted. It can also be a self esteem issue, one young boy or girl might not want to tell anybody about their sexual orientation. If they do they might be self conscious and they wont even want to go to school at all. Some parents are even forcing their children to attend these schools, because they believe it is protecting them from discrimination. The problem is, only conflict can spring from segregation.

We all know bullying is a problem, especially for gay young adults. In fact people who are gay, or bi were more likely to skip because of the bullying problem. The illusion that a special school would eliminate this problem is awesome in theory. It may help with the school problems, but what about the cyber bullying? or the out of school bullying? or the hate crimes? The problem isn't the kids who are being bullied, it is the bullies themselves. I believe that this special school will put the gay or bi kids under a microscope. They would be targeted because this school is drawing more attention towards them. People would only be more inclined to  hate and discriminate, therefore causing more pain to the victims.

Now what are some of the positives?
It can create a temporary safe environment from the bullying they face in everyday school. In some cases it is a life line. This attention they would draw from the separate school wouldn't be entirely bad, it could excite alliances and support groups. These groups fund raise camps, activities, and therapy sessions to those in need. The attention would make them more apparent and more kids would be willing to join. They could be happier when they are surrounded by people who wont judge them, or beat them. I also believe if the schools are successful, it might lower suicidal rates among gay,bi,etc. teens.

In my opinion i think these schools would do more harm than good. People will protest because they don't want their tax dollars going towards something they might not agree with. If it is done right, with private fundraising i believe it could help the teens in need. As i said previously it would attract both positive and negative attention. The attention is basically like this, one step forward and two steps back. For every bad thing that happens in one minute can take weeks to recover from. One message can be the breaking point, and putting them under this microscope would inevitably end in disaster.

http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2008/12/31/gay-high-schools-offer-a-haven-from-bullies
http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-37-spring-2010/homo-high
http://www.autostraddle.com/toronto-decides-whether-it-needs-separate-gay-high-schools-or-just-gay-equality-147048/
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2095385_2096859_2096805,00.html