There are actually other schools like this - there's even one in Dallas. Somebody did a documentary about it, which I didn't see, but I read a review of it that described several of the scenes, and frankly, I was a bit disturbed.
Overall, I think it's a great idea. The safety issue is the biggest one, but there's also the issue of feeling alone. Gay teens are in an unusual position because they don't have relatives, etc. to look to as role models, as with other minorities. I can imagine that a lot of the shame and maladaptive behavior that comes from trying to fit in with one's heterosexual peers could be avoided with a supportive environment like that.
The thing is, though, that in order to take advantage of such a school, they have to come out at a very young age, and the ones who would most benefit from such an environment probably can't. It's hard for me to imagine telling my parents when I was 13 that I wanted to go to that school. I wasn't even ready to acknowledge such a thing when I was that age.
I know a lot of things have changed in the last 20 years, but it's hard to wrap my mind around that aspect.
I can't deny that it'd be safer in some ways, but consider:
- people with prejudices won't ever be able to learn to overcome them if they're never faced with the object of their prejudice.
- Assembling a large group of *any* minority in one place merely serves to make a giant target.
-The world's got a lot more straight people in it than it does gays. Creating an environment where gay people won't have to deal with straight people feels just as unrealistic to me as creating a "straight-only" area does.
(Funny, just last night I had a debate with my dad about why this kind of school would be a good idea...)
I agree with all of your points, but this one in particular
-The world's got a lot more straight people in it than it does gays. Creating an environment where gay people won't have to deal with straight people feels just as unrealistic to me as creating a "straight-only" area does.
is the one I was actually thinking, but not finding a way to articulate it.
(Funny, just last night I had a debate with my dad about why this kind of school would be a good idea...)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-28 03:23 pm (UTC)I agree. Mixed feelings, definitely.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-28 05:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-29 06:30 am (UTC)The thing is, though, that in order to take advantage of such a school, they have to come out at a very young age, and the ones who would most benefit from such an environment probably can't. It's hard for me to imagine telling my parents when I was 13 that I wanted to go to that school. I wasn't even ready to acknowledge such a thing when I was that age.
I know a lot of things have changed in the last 20 years, but it's hard to wrap my mind around that aspect.
(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-29 09:24 pm (UTC)I can't deny that it'd be safer in some ways, but consider:
- people with prejudices won't ever be able to learn to overcome them if they're never faced with the object of their prejudice.
- Assembling a large group of *any* minority in one place merely serves to make a giant target.
-The world's got a lot more straight people in it than it does gays. Creating an environment where gay people won't have to deal with straight people feels just as unrealistic to me as creating a "straight-only" area does.
(Funny, just last night I had a debate with my dad about why this kind of school would be a good idea...)
(no subject)
Date: 2003-07-29 09:43 pm (UTC)-The world's got a lot more straight people in it than it does gays. Creating an environment where gay people won't have to deal with straight people feels just as unrealistic to me as creating a "straight-only" area does.
is the one I was actually thinking, but not finding a way to articulate it.
(Funny, just last night I had a debate with my dad about why this kind of school would be a good idea...)
Yes. Interesting how that works sometimes.
$0.02
Date: 2003-07-29 07:45 pm (UTC)Separate but Equal.
Was the catchphrase for segregation before, and history repeats itself.
I'd say put the bigotted asshole children in their own little school, but their parents probably have too much money and would fight it.
Maybe it's my headache, maybe it's just me.. but this really bugs me.
Helen