Stopping Homophobic Violence in Schools
Last week at the Kern High School District Board meeting, students recounted homophobic experiences and decried the lack of policies and actions to create inclusive schools. They advocated for the creation of a districtwide student-led committee to address discrimination and bullying of LGBTQ+ students on campus. This call came a week after students from the Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Bakersfield were reported to have confronted classmates at a Gay-Straight Alliance meeting with MAGA flags and homophobic taunts about which types of relationships are so-called right.
Blatant bullying fuels a toxic campus climate and contributes to gender violence in our schools and society.
Blatant bullying fuels a toxic campus climate and contributes to gender violence in our schools and society.
The Kern High School district characterized these assaults as “varying viewpoints and opinions.” District officials wrote that their schools aim “to teach students how to communicate respectfully.” This framing minimizes the severity of the issues, and it assumes that all viewpoints are equal, even those that attack people for who they are and how they express themselves. Blatant bullying fuels a toxic campus climate and contributes to gender violence in our schools and society. California law requires schools to “provide all students with a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment, free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying.” Schools are in violation of this law when this does not occur.
Reports of what is happening in Bakersfield are the latest example of attacks on LGBTQ+ community members to make the headlines. Thankfully, the affected students and their parents have called out these actions. However, everyday LGBTQ+ students, staff and educators CONTINUE READING: Stopping Homophobic Violence in Schools - LA Progressive