He ya go. Even in pink it's offensive.
Posted on 10/24/2002 11:49:18 AM PDT by Sweet_Sunflower29
A three-inch rainbow-colored triangle has sparked a spirited debate at Rich East High School in Rich Township High School District 227.
The triangle is a symbol of emotional safety for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gendered, questioning and straight students, and it has been placed on some classroom doors in the school.
Supporters of the symbol say it alerts students who need emotional support or a caring ear that they have a place to go.
But some objectors don't see the symbol as completely innocent, and wonder whether the rainbows could be encouraging students to engage in homosexual lifestyles.
Others claimed that having rainbow triangles on some classroom doors may send a message that teachers in other classrooms will not provide students with safety.
And, a few parents who attended a Monday board of education meeting wondered whether the district ought to be more concerned about its test scores than such symbols.
Eric Maroscher, Rich East's assistant principal for pupil personnel services, said teachers placed the triangles on some classroom doors. He said the triangles serve to let students know they may go to that teacher or room for "emotional safety," free from derogatory comments about any person.
The triangle stemmed from the school's Gay/Straight Alliance, or GSA, which had its first meeting on Aug. 27.
Parent Komaa Mnyofu said the district has created "homosexual safe zones" behind taxpayers' backs by using the rainbow symbols.
Instead, the district should focus on issues such as a multimillion dollar deficit and poor test scores, Mnyofu said.
Jeff Cohn said the focus should be on the district's low standardized test scores.
District 227 board member Celeste Caldwell said improving test scores is one of the district's top priorities.
Another parent said he believes the children should go to their parents with sensitive questions about sexual identity.
During Monday's meeting, school board officials said they want to research all aspects of the GSA and the rainbow triangles.
Board member Betty Owens said she can understand both sides of the issue.
"This is something that needs to be discussed in much greater detail," said Owens, adding that she is "very concerned" that students may not feel safe in some rooms at the school.
"Kids need to be safe wherever they are in the building," Owens said. "I'm afraid the triangles might be saying just the opposite."
Maroscher said the school, by law, must have a Gay/Straight Alliance, even if only one student requested such a group.
Maroscher is an administrative member of the multicultural committee and the GSA.
Maroscher said there was a request for such a club at the school. He added that the district's multicultural committee realized the need for an organization in which gay and straight students can learn more about each other and promote ways to improve the school climate.
To that end, the multicultural committee sponsored two workshops this and last summer dealing with such issues. This summer, a group of concerned teachers also met to plan the club.
The club's goal is to acknowledge and support students, not to promote, recruit or denigrate, Maroscher said.
According to the group's mission statement, the purpose of Rich East's GSA is to create a healthy, supportive environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gendered, questioning and straight students and staff.
"It's about tolerating and protecting all students," Maroscher said. "It's not about sex. It's about safety."
Maroscher said the club and triangles provide a haven for an "invisible minority" at the school. "What does gay look like?" he asked.
Owens said school officials should have encouraged more discussion of such a "sensitive matter." She said that lack of information in the preparation stages has created a larger concern.
Maroscher reiterated that once a child asks for a Gay/Straight Alliance, the school must provide one.
Additionally, the school must notify students and parents about the club the way it would about any other organization. Doing more could open the door to legal issues, Maroscher said.
David Claudon, a Rich East language arts teacher and the school's Webmaster, said he put information on the school's Web page about the GSA.
District officials have not yet set a date for additional board discussion, said Anita Howard, community relations coordinator for District 227.
School administrators planned a meeting to further discuss the matter, Howard said.
Wouldn't this mean all sexually active students? If that is the case why does gay come first and striaght is listed last like an afterthought? GLBTQS?
Huh? What if a student asked for a White Power Club or Sex With Toddlers Alliance?
The way I read this it includes all students period although it clearly is aimed at the "non-straight".
He ya go. Even in pink it's offensive.
isn't that right Confederate Flag haters?
A three-inch rainbow-colored triangle...Means one and only one thing:
FAGGOT ALERT!!
If they want to designate a safe place, use the Safe Place signs that have been popular for years. The faggots really push, don't they?
So where do white male heterosexuals go for "emotional safety"?
Is somebody at this school is into the yearly (next: August 25 - September 1, 2003) Burning Man Celebration (the 'Burning Man' has a triangular shaped head you see) ...
How about the closet?
If someone is offended by the symbol, even if they misconstrue its intended or historic meaning, then the symbol should not be allowed anywhere on public property...
isn't that right Confederate Flag haters?
We have a winner! Of course, that argument could backfire, and result in the banning of all symbols, including Arabic numerals and the Roman alphabet... ;-)
The rainbow was a symbol of God's faithfulness long before it was used as a sign of promiscuous sodomy.
Perversion that keeps on giving.
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