Flint Students Accuse Lesbians of Harassment

The Flint Journal ^ | 3/31/04 | Matt Bach

[marshmallow]

Flint -- School officials are taking action over allegations that lesbian students at Central High School and other buildings are harassing other girls.

There appear to be more complaints and rumors this year regarding lesbians fighting and sexually harassing students, said Larry Watkins, director of the office of school safety.

The school doesn't track incidents by sexual orientation, so Watkins said he doesn't know for sure if the problems are increasing. But suspensions for fighting and sexual harassment have included at least one fight between two girls arguing about a relationship, he said.

In response to concerns, the district reviewed sexual harassment policies with student leaders and school officials.

A student workshop on female aggression is slated for May, he said, and officials plan to bring in an expert next fall to talk with students about sexual harassment and same-sex harassment.

"This issue has been building up for the past three or four years," Watkins said. "It appears to be surfacing more."

But rumors that a lesbian gang is trying to entice straight girls at Central are untrue, he said. School officials haven't been able to substantiate allegations that sexual acts are going on in girls' restrooms.

"We do not have a gang of lesbians at Central High School," Watkins said. "We have may have some individuals whose sexual orientation may be questionable. But, to our knowledge, we have no known lesbian gangs at Central."

Watkins said some students have said they feel unsafe and avoid the restrooms at school because of the rumors.

Not all Central students agree.

"There are a lot of lesbian girls at Central," said senior Candice Fowlkes-Hawk. "But I've never seen any walk up and make obscene comments. I've never seen them say anything rude. They're not little hoodlums, they're just lesbians. I had a girl approach me once, and I just said I was not interested."

While the rumors focus on Central, there also have been complaints at Flint's other high schools and some of the middle schools, Watkins said. Schools are directing security officers to pay closer attention to restrooms.

"It's not like everyone is afraid to go to the bathroom," said Northern senior Chantal Cotton. "If I got to go, I go regardless if there is a gay group in there. I just politely ask them to move aside. I look at them as any other person."

The issue seems to be gaining steam in the community. The Rev. Marvin Jennings, pastor of Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church in Flint, discussed it during his sermon on Sunday, and hairstylist Mezon Green said it's a common topic among her customers.

"I'm concerned about it because I don't know why the parents aren't stepping in," said Green, who has a ninth-grade son at Central. "I understand to each his own, but if that's your cup of tea, then you drink it. You don't offer it around."

[Paleo Conservative]

They should be charged as adults on felony charges. This would give them a permanent criminal record.

[CSM]

Charge them with a "hate crime".

[NativeNewYorker]

I have spent a great deal of time in Flint, Michigan.

My advice to all Freepers is to arrange your lives so that you never have to do so.

[looscnnn]

I have to and I couldn't agree more. Saginaw is working its way to becoming another Flint.

[Paleo Conservative]

I'm concerned about it because I don't know why the parents aren't stepping in," said Green

I have spent a great deal of time in Flint, Michigan.

My advice to all Freepers is to arrange your lives so that you never have to do so.

Given your first hand knowledge, would you say the reason parents aren't coming forward is that most of them don't have fathers in the home or their parents do drugs?

[wildearp]

Is this a script for a porno movie? Lesbian chicks in High School.

[looscnnn]

"School officials are taking action over allegations that lesbian students at Central High School and other buildings are harassing other girls."

How much you want to bet that the action is taken against the victims.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Pathetic.

[Paleo Conservative]

Is this a script for a porno movie? Lesbian chicks in High School.

Probably a movie shown on HBO or Showtime at 2:30 in the morning.

[NativeNewYorker]

That is highly likely. Downtown Flint is a low-density South Bronx without the charm.

[Esther Ruth]

They sound like predatory animals! Like rapid packs of dogs roaming through the woods looking for their next prey! But I'm sure they are all finding time to learn their school lessons in such a wonderful environment.

[luckymom]

Make that 2:30 in the afternoon- an after school special....

[Modernman]

Is this a script for a porno movie? Lesbian chicks in High School.

I wish my high school had been this much fun. Not enough lesbianism went on, if you ask me.

[Liberty Valance]

Homosexual Jihadettes?

[GungaLaGunga]

Flint Central High = Hell-on-Earth

[Mamzelle]

Check out the girl's PE teachers at that school.

[justshutupandtakeit]

What a joke. Ooooo here come the big, bad Lesbians. LoL.

[mountaineer]

if that's your cup of tea, then you drink it. You don't offer it around

Nicely stated.

[Republicus2001]

It's George Bush's fault that they don't teach fisting to the frosh