Franken to introduce bill addressing anti-gay bullying

God damn, I hope Sen. Franken considers a presidential bid in the future. 2016?

The same comment I made on the last article about Franken and his gay bullying bill applies here also–

This is nothing but another attempt to force the gay agenda into our schools by forcing administrators and teachers to tell children homosexuality is normal. All bullying is wrong and against school rules so why would gays need special protection? Kids always pick on those they see as different so why not just teach children that making fun of those different from you is inappropriate instead of emphasizing gays Mr Franken?

Matt, would you support taking religion out of the protections against bullying? Because right now, religious students have “special protection.”

@Andy- Yes. We’re supposed to have equal protection not special protection.

I’m assuming you think I’m religious but I don’t believe in fairy tales. I’m just tired of liberals shoving their views on the rest of us whether it’s specially protected classes or stealing through taxation.

[...] read more [...]

[...] Franken to introduce bill addressing anti-gay bullying [...]

Why does Governor Tim Pawlenty think gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender kids don’t deserve protection from bullying? He’s either some kind of troglodyte or he just hates them. I wonder if he used to bully them when he was in school? Perhaps he was bullied…

One more thing. Why specifically deny civil rights and protections for gay people? That’s precisely why we need these laws, to keep you and your friends at bay dude. I know all about you people…

Why should matters of race be protected? Why protect anybody? Protecting homosexuals is as good a cause as any considering the damage being done on their behalf and considering what the Constitution represents. Anyway, what’s so wrong with protecting this group when it comes to civil or human rights? They’re people, aren’t they? It’s not like we’re protecting a corporation with laws provided by nature for human beings, is it?

These United States of America only became united by liberal values. Anyone who took a college-level U.S. Government course knows that. To argue that liberal values are being shoved down throats is to ignore that it was UNANIMOUSLY adopted by the thirteen American colonies during the Enlightenment, and therefore only shoved down the throats of a mere few who preferred to remain under Mother England, despite the times. Regardless, most Americans wanted that philosophically liberal establishment, specifically for the protection of human values to the extent that a clause was stricken out of Jefferson’s Declaration specifically pertaining to black slaves so as not to limit independence or freedom or nature to them alone. This is why there are other protected groups and not just black slaves. If you call this a fairy tale, you’re ignoring the reality of life and the difference we can make when we are united–and have made when we’ve been united. Is unity some kind of a problem for you?

By the way, to also answer the off-subject argument of taxation, the Boston Tea Party was an act of protectionism. Sam Adams and his Patriots dumped the tea into Boston Harbor because Mother England attempted to force the colonies to accept a tea without paying the tariff. England had passed a tea tax exemption for the East India Trade Company that would belittle small businesses here in the colonies: King George and members of the English aristocracy held private stock in the company. So, rather than accept this tax-free tea, Ten Little Indians dumped it into the bay! You could say it was a pro-tax act that created the U.S.A.

Why do people repeat misinformation and monger hate? A presidential bid is an easy way to ignore the necessity of why we need laws. I mean, could we theoretically accuse Abraham Lincoln of selfishness for thinking that, hey, sometimes, if you want something done, you got to do it yourself? Abraham Lincoln, too, had to first put in a presidential bid! Maybe “the skeptic opposition” could state Lincoln was running for his own personal gain, even if that gain would be shared by the entire country, that one day we might all be free. How about Jefferson? How about Martin Luther King, Jr.? How about any other optimistic philosopher? How about Jesus Christ?

Right now, this week my next door gay, Jewish neighbor is being harassed by two skin head teen/20 year olds. They started by yelling obscenities, and progressed to throwing fruit at his house, and night before last threw a rock through his front window. The Police seem more interested in protecting the rights of these skin heads than they are protecting my neighbor.

I am contemplating a shotgun and big mean dog to protect my family from the likes of these right winger Nazis.

For sure these thugs will understand a bit violence redirected to them at a much, much higher level.

@Matt L
The reason for singling out homosexuals for protection is they get singled out for bullying, and often with little action on the part of teachers and administrators to stop it because they share the prejudices of the bullies. The law sends a message not so much to bullying kids, but to adults who tolerate it.

@ Matt

It is normal for certain individuals.

God must approve of it, since he creates gay animals all the time.

Of course, now you’re going to accuse me of supporting bestiality and child buggering. Well, I don’t.

It’s about what consenting adults do, Matt. You sound like a Libertarian at points, so, why don’t you get that?

@Arthur– The definition of liberal has changed with the times. There is nothing modern liberals have in common with the founders of this country. Minorities and gays are already protected from assault and harassment just like me. How that fact escapes people is beyond me.

As for taxes, progressive federal income taxes were unconstitutional until the 16th amendment was ratified in 1913. I don’t think it was by mistake the founders avoided that injustice.

Bullying is a problem EVERYONE should be alarmed about. It occurs not only in schools and workplaces but within families, too. This is a very serious problem in our society that needs more attention.

Right wing and nazi are contradictory. Nazis are socialists.

The word liberal derives from the Latin liber meaning free. Modern liberals have nothing related to fredom in their ideology. They are always banning and taking things by force.
.

//The word liberal derives from the Latin liber meaning free. Modern liberals have nothing related to fredom in their ideology. They are always banning and taking things by force.//

Ha! Now there’s a joke.

I suppose all those Conservatives who want to ban medical marijuana, ban marriage equality, ban universal healthcare, ban foreign languages from being taught in public schools, ban a woman’s right to privacy and choice, and ban anything else in between is just all coincidence?

Or, I suppose Bush and Co. going into Iraq unanimously and taking control of their government by force means nothing to you?

Look at the pot calling the kettle black.

You guys crack me up. I’m not a republican and never supported Bush and his outrageous government expansion. Funny how my opinions on the liberal agenda and law allow all of you to categorize me as a Jesus loving Bush bumper sticker sporting GOPer.

People should not be punished for who they are attracted to or in love with… although indidviduals feel as if Franken is pushing the “Gay Agenda” in schools, why is it ok to bully and taunt gay students? Why is it ok to bully at all? I think with this bill comes hope, hope that people will consider how damaging their negative comments and opinions are when directed to gay students. In today’s society the kids who are getting most of the teasing are those who appear to be gay. Have you not heard the word “fag”, quite commonly used in school, even in Elementary schools and the hate that is set behind those words? Kids and students need to know that it is UNEXCEPTABLE to discriminate ANYBODY, gay or straight for being who they are… and especially the younger folks who need adult support!!

Not all religious people oppose gay rights we should not be so quick to judge someone as if we know who they are, stereotypes are really bad to base opinions off of….

Why should LGBT kids get a special class of protection from bullying, but the average small, skinny, fat or dorky kid does not? Is the case for LGBT bullying made by what is said “hey queer” or what is thought? What is a straight kid is bullied and called “queer”? Or are you going to make the case based on the thoughts of the bully?

My “Gay Agenda”:

A Response to Focus on the Family

A Commentary by Warren J. Blumenfeld

Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian media ministry organization, asserted in published accounts (“Focus on Family says anti-bullying efforts in schools push gay agenda,” The Denver Post, http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_15928224, 8/29/2010) that gay rights advocates are forcing their viewpoints (their so-called “gay agenda) in schools in the guise of bullying prevention.

Focus on the Family spokesperson, Candi Cushman, asserted that gay activists are the real schoolyard bullies while conservative Christians are the victims. According to Cushman, “We feel more and more that activists are being deceptive in using anti-bullying rhetoric to introduce their viewpoints, while the viewpoint of Christian students and parents are increasingly belittled.”

I have been gay most of my life, probably all of my life, and I have been involved in community organizing for the past 40 years, and I still don’t understand this term “Gay Agenda.” If you talk to two random “gay activists,” you will most likely find multiple viewpoints toward social change.

If making schools safe and welcoming spaces for students, faculty, and staff of all sexual identities and gender expressions (as well as racial, ethnic, socioeconomic class, religious, ability backgrounds, ages, everyone), then yes indeed — this is certainly part of my “gay agenda.” Let us look at the reasons why this must be part of all of our agendas, including that of Focus on the Family.

Ryan Patrick Halligan was born in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1990. His parents described him as a rather shy boy growing up, who early on exhibited developmental delays in his speech, language, and motor skills. The family moved to Essex Junction, Vermont, where, by the fifth grade his peers bullied him at school on a regular basis. Rumors soon circulated throughout the school that Ryan was gay. By middle school in the seventh grade, his classmates continually teased and harassed him on school grounds and extended their taunts over email for having a learning disability and for allegedly being gay. On October 7, 2003, feeling that he could no longer live with the constant abuse, Ryan Patrick Halligan took his life. He was 13 years old.

Reports (Spero News, 2006) indicate that Ryan displayed many of the symptoms of youth targeted by face-to-face and on-line cyberbullying: he spent long hours on his computer, and he was secretive regarding his interactions on communication and information technologies. His parents saw him manifest a number of changes in his behavior: he increasingly lacked interest in engaging in social activities that included his peers, and he exhibited a pronounced change in his overall attitude, his appearance, and his habits.

Ryan’s father, John P. Halligan, established a web site in loving tribute to his son as a clarion call to prevent what happened to Ryan from impacting the lives of any other young people. John Halligan expressed his hope:

“This site is dedicated to the memory of our son Ryan and for all young people suffering in silence from the pain of bullying and having thoughts of suicide. We hope young people become less ashamed to ask for help when feeling suicidal. We hope adults gain knowledge from our tragedy. As a society, we need to find better ways to help our young people through their most difficult growing years (RyanPatrickHalligan.org).”

The American Psychological Association (APA) passed a resolution (2004) calling on educational, governmental, business, and funding agencies to address issues of face-to-face and cyberbullying. In the resolution, they particularly addressed acts of harassment “about race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity” (p. 1). In addition, the resolution specifically emphasized the high rate of bullying around issues of sexual identity, gender expression, and disability:

“[C]hildren and youth with disabilities and children and youth who are lesbian, gay, or transgender, or who are perceived to be so may be at particularly high risk of being bullied by their peers.”

Though too late to help Ryan Patrick Halligan as someone with a disability and who was perceived as gay, possibly this resolution can assist in developing policies and can ultimately help in the reduction of bullying behaviors.

GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) found in its 2007 National School Climate Survey of 6,209 middle and high school students that 86.2% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students experienced harassment at school in the past year, 44.1% reported being physically harassed, and 22.1% reported being physically assaulted at school in the past year, 73.6% heard derogatory remarks such as “faggot” or “dyke” frequently or often at school, 60.8% felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation, 38.4% felt unsafe because of their gender expression, and 32.7% skipped a day of school in the past month because of feeling unsafe. The report also found that the grade point average of students who were more frequently harassed because of their sexual orientation or gender expression was almost half a grade lower than for students who were less often harassed (2.8 versus 2.4).

On a positive note, the survey also discovered that schools can make a marked and powerful difference when they directly and visibly address the problem of bullying and harassment.

Students who are the targets of harassment and attack by their peers are associated with higher rates of mental health problems. Risk factors for those targeted include increased school absenteeism, school difficulties including slipping grades, and dropping out of school. Also, they have increased risk of alcohol and drug use and abuse, as well as psychosomatic symptoms. They are also linked to serious mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, increased fear and withdrawal from family and peers, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self esteem, poor body image, suicidal ideation, attempts, and completion.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are integral members of families throughout this nation and the world. If Focus on the Family is seriously concerned with improving the quality of life and is truly focusing on families, they will join us in this effort to work to secure the safety and the equity of educational outcomes for all people, including our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth.

Dr. Warren J. Blumenfeld, Associate Professor of Multicultural and International Curriculum Studies at Iowa State University. He is co-editor of Readings for Diversity and Social Justice and Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States.