Visalia, California Gay Student Gets Settlement Award

The Fresno Bee ^ | 08/14/02 | Jason D. Plemons

[goodieD]

VISALIA -- George Loomis will never get back his senior year of high school, but after a groundbreaking settlement Tuesday of his lawsuit against Visalia Unified School District, he says the harassment that left him physically ill and scared to go to classes should not happen to others. Loomis, a student at Golden West High School from 1996 to 2000, will receive $130,000 from the district. But the lawsuit, he said, was never about money, it was about changing the policies he said allowed cruel taunting by classmates and teachers because he is gay.

[goodieD]

comments?

[kmiller1k]

I used to live in Visalia and have been a sub teacher at Golden West HS. One of the offenses that the plaintiff reported to the local paper was a Spanish teacher, upon noticing that George was wearing an earring, said to George (and I paraphrase) that only pirates or gays (sic) wear earrings and I don't see any water or ships.

[kennyo]

The GSA Network will train students to act as peer counselors, who will go into ninth-grade classrooms and lead a 50-minute workshop. Intergroup Clearinghouse, a Bay Area human-relations organization, will train teachers and other staff. The first training session is set for Monday.

The brain-wahing continues.

[Guillermo]

As soon as they insist it's "not about the money", be rest assured, it's about the money.

[Bigg Red]

"We really feel good that this will enable us to provide a safe learning environment for every student in Visalia,"...

Will it be safe for those students who do not wish to have acceptance of the homo lifestyle forced on them?

[DWSUWF]

"...But the lawsuit, he said, was never about money, it was about changing the policies he said allowed cruel taunting by classmates and teachers because he is gay..."

This is wonderful news for whatever charitable organization(s) he intends to donate the money to.

Oh... He's going to keep the money?

Hmmm... I guess that it really WAS about the money then.

[Minnesoootan]

"I think I deserve one," he said.

I deserve one also,I was forced to shower with the boys after gym class,I would MUCH rather showered with the gals....if the arguement is sexual orientation,it's only right,he benefitted from a free perverted peep show,everyone else who was FORCED to shower with him deserves compensation from HIM for sexual abuse.

[mountaineer]

The original complaint against the school district said other students called Loomis "faggot," "homo" and "queer" on a regular basis within earshot of employees who did nothing to stop the behavior.

If he is a homosexual, is he saying the truth was offensive to him?

[dead]

The original complaint against the school district said other students called Loomis "faggot," "homo" and "queer" on a regular basis within earshot of employees who did nothing to stop the behavior.

Yikes! They called him names!

How much did the fat kid, the poor kid, and the kid with the funny haircut get?

[ghost of nixon]

That harassment cost him his senior year of high school -

the harassment didn't cost him his senior year, his wimpy reaction to it did. And also his decision to flaunt his "sexual preference" in front of the entire high school, without having the courage to take the heat for it.

[Bikers4Bush]

That's actually a good one. Just like steers and queers and I don't see no horns.

[Isle of sanity in CA]

But the lawsuit, he said, was never about money, it was about..

Why do they always say this? If it's not about the money, there's nothing forcing them to ask for it or take it is there?

[Isle of sanity in CA]

it continues because we allow it to...

[Isle of sanity in CA]

I was called 'geek' and 'four-eyes' in school. Where do I get my money?

[mountaineer]

Looks like Ms. Loomis was not alone in his battles:

The ACLU successfully defeated a motion to dismiss the Gay Straight Alliance Network, a plaintiff in the case Loomis v. Visalia Unified School District, and several other claims from a federal civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of George Loomis, a former high school student, and the GSA Network. source

Georgie wanted to be a symbol, I'd say.

Why did you decide to file the harassment lawsuit against the school district and not let it go?

I couldn’t stand silent while they violated my civil rights or the civil rights of other students. It’s an injustice if I stay quiet about it, because we’re at a perfect time to speak out and create change. And I know how hard it is to be harassed at school because you’re gay or perceived to be gay. I wasn’t out at school, and that made it worse because at that time I was only perceived as being gay. source

Why was he perceived as being gay? I don't suppose outrageously flaming behavior had anything to do with it.

[phil1750]

The opinion of most is that teenagers be celebit. Neither hetersexuals nor sodomites should be flaunting their preferences. I thought school was for learning. Last male wearing an earing that applied at my company was not hired, on the basis of the earing alone.

[d14truth]

"How much did the fat kid, the poor kid, and the kid with the funny haircut get?'

Don't forget ol' 'Four Eyes' and the 'Nerd'! I want my cut. "Pantywaists"(i.e., today's 'wusses') unite.

P.S.--Add another $130,000 + to the California deficit, Governor 'Doofus'.

[cschroe]

The original complaint against the school district said other students called Loomis "faggot," "homo" and "queer" on a regular basis within earshot of employees who did nothing to stop the behavior.

Good grief, didn't he learn "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me"? What a wuss. I got called all those things and worse and I'm not even gay. That boys got a serious lack of self confidence and self image.