Strict isn't the word, DISCRIMINATION is.

The funny thing about it is that the girls she allowed in the bathroom could be themselves closest GLBT. You simply can't not rid a school, let alone region from GLBT members of society. Just like you can't correctly state the EXACT numbers of GLBT in America.

Well as I can tell, with 'rights' regarding public schools which are funded by the Government, students are protected by the nations laws for students. However, to my understanding with 'religious' insitutions or schools do not have to follow regulations, guidelines, or laws set forth for public students or teachers. If they chose to set rules regarding or related to their beliefs, they can.

The following is from ACLU site:

"I’ve had kids at school call me names, leave nasty notes on my locker, and threaten to beat me up just because I’m gay. What about harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender students at school?

Public schools most likely have a constitutional obligation to treat abuse of LGBT students—and students who are still questioning their sexual identity—as seriously as any other abuse. As one federal court ruled, school officials violated a gay student’s right to equal protection when they didn’t do anything about serious harassment he received from other students because he was gay.

As an LGBT student, you are also protected from harassment and discrimination at school by:

Title IX in federal law: Anti-gay harassment of a sexual nature is illegal

Pennsylvania Code: Section 4.4 of the code says that discrimination because of sexual orientation isn't allowed in PA educational programs.

School District Policies: Some school districts, like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have policies specifically outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation. The School District of Philadelphia also has a policy to assure a “safe, equitable and positive school experience” for lesbian and gay students. Check with your school district for its policies.

What should I do if I experience anti-gay abuse at school?

You should follow the same steps we listed in the “Sexual Harassment” section. Report any abuse (from name-calling to physical assault) to the school principal. Don’t just tell a teacher or school counselor because it’s the principal who is the legally liable school official.

You should also keep a list of all the anti-gay incidents at your school. Record your school’s response to them.

The principal didn't help me at all. Now what do I do?

You can do the following:

Contact the superintendent of the school district or the school board and get help from them.

Tell other groups—like LGBT support groups—about the problem. That way you can focus attention on the school's failure to protect you, and get some outside support.
Contact the ACLU and other civil rights organizations for help.

The bottom line is: Officials have a responsibility to make their schools safe for all students, gay, straight, and everyone in between."

I would contact your School Officials, and if needed make it known by the police, and local newspapers. When you bring to light discrimination, it usually forces school boards to address it via community/school meetings etc.

Please go to the following link for more info.: http://www.aclupa.org/education/studentsrightsmanual/equalprotection/lgbtstudents.htm

Other helpful links is www.soulforce.org and www.hrc.org

Love is love. No matter if it's a man with a man, a woman with a woman, or a man with a woman. Love is a feeling that you have for another. So it's legal for some one to marry their second cousin but a man cannot marry another man. Gays and Lesbians have every right to marriage as a straight couple does. People try to use excuses to go against it. Like for example the bible, Leviticus says "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination." But in Leviticus it also says many other things that are detestable, it also states that building buildings and planting things are also abominations. So really there is no reason to put a law against it. People really need to get over themselves and dtop being so steriotypical.

love always,
Becky

i think that everyone should have the rights that they was born with and should not be discriminated against because of their preferences for things. i personaly beleive that we all have our rights givin to us by the constitution of the united states and our civil rights as granted to us by the constitution, so whether we like men women or both we are still american citizens and should be allowed to go out and take advantage of the oppritunities givin to us and not be discriminated against.

People who are homosexual are human. They have rights just like striaght people, so they should be able to marry man to man, women to women. Besides who are we to tell some one that they can not be gay? Who are we to tell some one that being gay is wrong?

love everyone,
jakele

I've been going to a Catholic School since I was in first grade. Once I hit Freshman year, I was exposed to lots of things that I had never dealt with before in middle school, including meeting people who were gay. Although it came as a shock at first to finally meet someone gay, I made friends with a lot of them and have since then befriended and supported many gay students throughout High School. I transfered to another Catholic HS in Sophomore year, and I noticed a few things that I didn't like. I understand that the Catholic religion is not a supporter of homosexual activity. But when does that become an extreme? Isn't there some kind of line to draw, especially when it influences a school that anyone is allowed to attend? The principal at my school is extremely strict when it comes to behavior of the students, because we're representing a "business enviornment"...but what about not allowing a lesbian girl to use the bathroom with straight students? Junior year, she wouldn't permit one of my good friends to use the restroom because she was afraid it would upset the straight girls while they were changing for volleyball practice....in the stalls, with closed doors. She forced her to go to the basement bathroom. On top of that, she has made it a rule that no one is allowed to attend our prom with a person of the same sex, even if they are just a FRIEND, because it promotes homosexuality. Rainbow colors aren't permitted, either. Isn't this a violation of rights?

I noticed that it has HRC listed as an organization in support, and that inspired me to post the lyrics to this song, because I think they're important.

Rich, White, & Gay by Adhamh Roland
http://riotfolk.org/member_music_lyrics.php?id=5&song_id=232

well, what do you see of the gay mainstream?
queer eye, queer folk—it’s queer t.v.
and you say ‘oh my goodness look how far we’ve come’
but that all depends on where you’re coming from

chorus:
‘cause when you say ‘we’
i think i know what you mean
it’s that rich, white, gay and lesbian
so called community

it’s the folks who wanna end housing discrimination
but ban youth shelters in the name of beautification
who think their partners should have health coverage to share
but don’t give a damn ‘bout universal health care
who fight in the courts for tougher hate crimes
but think the racist system is working just fine
‘cause it’s o.k. to haul off to jail the homeless and the youth
people of color, trannys, sex workers too
as long as it’s not people like you
then you can maintain you’re agenda
that benefits the few

it’s a gay mainstream that votes anti-poor
as long as civil unions are accounted for
they don’t seem to see their obvious connections
between race, class, ability, and gender expression
they don’t think of the black drag queens that battled for us all
hurlin’ high heels at the cops outside of stonewall
when they vote to put more pigs on the streets
and never hear about the people that they beat

‘cause the human rights campaign is sponsored by nike and coors
who violate everybody’s rights but yours
they claim to advocate for queers and trannys
and then don’t write them into nondiscrimination policies
they even endorsed a republican candidate
thanks h.r.c. for bein’ my advocate

it’s the log cabins, the don’t ask don’t tell
it’s consumerisms choice demographic to sell
it’s climbin’ up the ladder leavin’ everyone behind
it’s the best pecking order capitalism can find
it’s the upwardly mobile that want to marry
it’s the strict butch/femme dichotomy
it’s queers who equate true equality
with straight privilege like shows on t.v.
as long as the butt of the jokes are still based on misogyny
and the lead roles are straight in reality
it’s a slap in the face to kioshi (web link)
and every other liberation warrior since the sixties
and anyone ever arrested on your street
cuz they might lower the value of your property

last chorus
when you say we
i think i know what you mean
it’s that rich, white, gay and lesbian so called....
well it’s not the trannys, it’s not the dykes
it’s not anyone who’s not white
it’s not the whores, not the fags
not asians, latinas, natives, or blacks
it’s not the homeless, the deaf or blind
it’s not fake cocks or chests that bind
it’s not the fat folks, or the freaks
or any combination of any sort of identity

except that rich, white, gay
that rich, white, and gay
that rich, white, gay ...
...and sometimes lesbian
so called community

I believe there should be gay marriage. If there is women to men marriage why cant there be men to men or women to women marriage. The point is that you cannot bring down a social group. You have to encourage them and people can't help it. Humans are Humans and Aliens are Aliens. Gays are humans so they should have the right to do anything. 1 Ammendment Freedom of speech and religion. So what's wrong with that. Your life will be awesome as long as people get there legals rights and that's one thing everybody needs as humans. It never been banned from the U.S.A so it shouldn't be banned now. Have a nice day!! Love all of You!! Goodbye!!

The Bible states that Luke 6 says "If you love only the people who love you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners do that! And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount! No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful just as your Father is merciful."

Then 1 John 4:20-21 states "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

I give these two verses as my main source, because in His Word, we find all the answers to every difficult situation we find ourselves in... including "loving thy neighbor as ourselves". Anyone who attempts to love someone who constanrly does wrong to them, they know how difficult it is to be a "christian". Because the flesh is inborn and natural, while doing things of the Spirit, is contrary, and difficult to accomplish; such as loving those who we don't see eye to eye with scripturally or morally for that matter.

I am a gay Christian. Though I hate labels, I prefer to call myself a "true believer". Hatred, big or small, verbal or physical is the source of all religious condemnation towards GLBTQ men and women. They use, simlilar to past issues of segregation and oppressed women, scriptures to back up their own prejudices and hatred towards minorities. Despite the fact that The Bible is a weapon towards the Devil and his angels. Despite Jesus spoke nothing on the matter and instead called Divorce a "sexual sin" in Matt 19 when He says "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery" (v. 9)

Now, because Jesus doesn't speak on the issue doesn't make it right, but it doesn't make it wrong either. Because as a Christian--the source of our answers to our questions should be in the Bible--we must seek an alternate author of Biblical evidence... Paul. In Romans Paul speaks against many things in regards to the Romans' lifestyle and worship. Ideally, idol worshiping. Where he found townsmen and women "worshiping the creation instead of the creator." Rom. 1:25 These men and women worshiped and served the god and goddesses of sex and pleasures.

I do not want to go deep into the subject, like a debate. But I am saying that as Christians, we have two commandments inwhich our Savior outlined as the two greatest commandments. These are just that: COMMANDMENTS. Not CHOICES. As Christians we are not to "Love the sinner and hate the sin" but rather live out and speak of "love the sinner and forgive the sin." Christ grants us that ability, shows that by His examples, and commands us. Peter is recorded in asking questions we find ourselves asking "How many times shall I forgive this man? Seven times?" And Jesus responds in stating "seventy-times seven". We should forgive and love as He first did so for us. That "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Now, I don't think Christ hated us while on that Tree of Clavery. He didn't have my orientation on His mind, but my name. With us, Spirituality should always come before Sexuality... always. Because BEFORE TIME, He chose us. (Romans)

In closure Christ does not set the tone for hatred but rather love. Paul says out of LOVE, HOPE and FAITH, LOVE IS THE GREATEST. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

I hope somoene out there found this post helpful and enlighting.

In Him,

MJordan

It doesn't take a degree to realize that homosexuality is NOT a choice.

Consider the following...

1) 477,000 professionals and experts stand firm is stating that homosexiality is not a disorder, a sickness or a choice. (http://www.clgs.org/5/5_6_4.html)

And in fact, any attempt to alter ones' orientation is a risk factor of ones pyschological wireing. Below are mental and health organizations that stand against "reparative therapy" (an attempt to changes or 'cure' ones sexuality):

American Academy of Pediatrics
American Counseling Association
American Medical Association
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
National Association of Social Workers

2) GLBTQ teens were more than twice as likely as heterosexual teens to report making a specific plan for suicide. Why is this? Could it be because it ISN'T a choice?

3) When you actually think about the thought process of actually choosing to be GLBT, it doesn't add up or seem logical. When one "comes out" there is a high risk of:

a) Society not accepting them equally. Thus loosing out on basic civil rights automatically given to straights etc.

b) If "religious", ones' church may disapprove, thus dismissing their membership, or worst departed from the 'church family' as a whole. Thus, loosing out on any spiritual support h/she may have previously loved and became apart of h/her.

c) Parents may disown them as their own children due to beliefs or reputation etc. Some parents send children off to such 'curing' and 'reparative' "ministries", hoping to fix something that isn't broken, leading to a exteme financial lost. Also, the parents may send them into isolation to a room, isolated from society, believing society was the fault of their sons/daughters "abnormal" behaviors and shift in sexual interest(s).

d) As an adult, one may loose job lost, benefits, or position all together. Also fellow co-workers begin to look, think and speak differently towards the person, believing he or she is a harm to the productivety of the company.

e) Do not have the same thousands-odd rights given automatically to heterosexual lovers/couples--married not. One is not being able to see their lover in the hospital, when he/she is ill or dying.

The above simply is a outline and brief reasoning to WHY it isn't a choice. WHEN you actually think about it, who in the right mind, considering JUST the above, would even think about coming out, stating they are GLBT?!?!

I know for one, and others who I have chatted with, would chose to be straight. BUT the fact is, being glbt is someting inborn.

Jesus is written as saying under the subject of divorcing and heterosexual-based relationships:

He answered, "Not all can accept [this] word, but only those to whom that is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." (Matt 19:11-12)

So if Jesus can realize the fact that some can not marry a women due to reasons above, then why can't we?

In Him,

M Jordan

Suggested Reading on the subject:

What The Science Says - And Doesn't Say -
About Homosexuality

Research-based answers to ten of the most commonly asked questions about lesbian women, gay men, and their families. This 36-page booklet was written by Jeff Lutes, MS, LPC, Executive Director of Soulforce.

https://www.soulforce.org/store

I ask you this::
How can God deny any love if he is pure love?

I'm a bisexual, and a strong christian. I believe God loves me, because he made me. He allows me to have enough love to give to both guys AND girls.

I'm proud of who I am.
And I think God loves me, and accepts me. :]

people do not choose to be gay or not. people are so againest it i did not know gays were real until I was like 11. people should like stop making fun of gays. Like what's with homopobs?! People aren't scared of straight people so why be scared if gays?!

that homos should get married because it's not their fault that they are gay and should be able to commit to eachother. like straight people can get married so why can't gays?

I love all people (or try to) regardless of the choices they make in life...it's what I'm called to do as a Christian. However, let me set something straight: marriage was set up by God through the Jews way back when...and it was set up between MEN and WOMEN. So, as created, marriage is for heterosexual relationships, and any other form (dealing with homosexuality, beastiality, etc.) was considered an abomination of MARRIAGE...so, in other words, homosexuals can call it what they like, but I don't believe they should call it marriage. Marriage is the union between men and women...if someone wants another type of union than that kind, I believe they should make their own name up for it.

It doesn't matter who you like it all comes down to the same thing. I believe that everyone has the right to be with the person they care about even if that person is of the same gender. Denying a human being that right is extremly unfair. We all need to stop the discrimination against homosexuals, transsexuals, and bisexuals. It's just not right.

Gay people should have the right to love who ever they want..I don't see the big deal with gay marriage how will it hurt America..and who's business is it? Its not like Gays can help it...cuz if they could..why would they choose that, The discrimination isnt fun.

I dont know..I just thought i should say something.

It is not the church that forbids gays, it is God. the One who created Adam, and then Eve to be Adams helper and mate. I am not gay and YES, God gave us the choise to choose, because He gave us free will. God made man to be a man and woman a woman to be a woman. Yes, people do choose to be homosexual or not. God did not make homosexuals, they chose to be it. Just like someone who abuses alcohol or drugs or even food. They have free will and choose to use too much. I love everyone. I live for Chrisr. Because I live for Christ and live for His word I do not like the way homosexuals live, because again, God did not make man to be with man and woman to be with woman. BUT, He loves everyone he has made and that is ALL of you. I do not slander homosexuals or anything against God in this world, but, know I do Pray for you and Pray that aids and other diseases that come from homosexuality does not occure in the human lives. There are many things out there on the disease side that do not have to do with homosexuality I know, but there is a major one that is a #1 killer in some countries because of it out there. Again, the choise is yours and I love you no matter what you choose and God loves you so much and wants you to know this. So, I just wanted to write this and tell you all. God Bless you in your daily walks, All my love and prayers Dream4God

I think gays,bisexuals,lesbians and transvestites are just like me and you and should have the right to marry who they want. they shouldn't be treated different or looked upon as nasty or non human because god made us all the same we just chose who we prefer and thats our free will. I don't believe people have the right to chose for us who we can and can not marry that should be our chose and no one else. As a a bisexual I believe that we should be treated equal as the straights. I don't think our rights should be limited because people feel that the way we live is wrong or religious belief.

u

Well, I've only just recently finished work on a new post-modern folk tale, geared toward an audience that is friendly toward homosexuality. Even though I myself am heterosexual, I think I can write something worthwhile to help homosexual rights and respect. My new story is called "Marigold's Moles", and it complements my first post-modern folk tale, "Two Princes". Like the first story, it features two main characters who are homosexual and fall in love (rather than the traditional prince and damsel-in-distress).
You can find it on my website,
http://liberative.tripod.com
or by clicking http://liberative.tripod.com/MarigoldsMoles.pdf
I hope you will have time to relax and read this fabulous story.
For the first, click http://liberative.tripod.com/TwoPrinces.pdf

Peace,
Kenneth

What would a Marriage Counselor think of this ?

ummmm gay pepole i guess want to be who they are so i guess let them be who they are

Hello everyone...

My name is Daniel I am 20 yrs of age, and newly engaged to my handsome fiance whom I adore, cherish and love with all my heart and with everything I hold dear and true. He proposed to me on August 29th of this year 2007.. I was speechless at first and then broke down in tears of complete joy and fullfillment. It is very nice to know that I can now get married to my supporting, caring, loving partner and not have to worry about it. I just wish that others can see that it doesn't matter what sex you are or who you are for that matter. That if you're in love with someone and you know that person is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with and you know it's right others should either rejoyce it and or if they are offended to just keep it to themselves.. No one sees gay couples belittleling heterosexual marriages but yet at one point wished we could wed as well, even then we fought for our rights and yet did not think negatively on any responses, outbursts, upsets, or negative comments. Now that gay marriage is passed and legal it brings alot of us joy, fullfillment, and a sense of totall accomplishment.

To all gay/lesbian and even hetero-marriage; may your marriages be the happiest, and may every day with your partner be the most rewarding love filled amazing times of your lives..

Lots of love
Daniel

I believe homosexuals have the right to stand for themselves and be who they want to be. I have 4 girl friends who are bi and I stand up for them because we are like sisters.

It's just wrong to try to keep them from marrying the person they truly love. Today instead of saying something is "gay" just say it's stupid, because calling a certain movie or TV show is "gay" may be offensive to the people around you.

Have a great day.

Homosexuals have the right to love who they want. And gay people do not choose to be gay, they are born that way. It's terribly sad that soo many have to stay in the closet.

too many people sterotype people are gay or lesbains. i am not a lesbain. it's no different when two men or two women love each as when a man and a woman love each other. i think that some people "haven't come out of the closet" because of their religion forbids it. homosexuals have the same rights as heterosexuals do in this world and have the right to be know they want to be.

I strongly believe that it's not wrong for two men or two women to love each other. If people truly cared for and respected one another, crime simply could not exist. I also believe, however, that homosexuality goes and takes this concept too far by mixing up the genders. Does it seem natural for homosexuality to come into existance and prominence only in the past couple of decades? Why do I claim that homosexuality is, indeed, a mix-up of the genders? I say this because if its cause was simply genetic, man and man could reproduce successfuly. This, obviously, is not the case. I realise this is a very sensitive topic and so I desire for the people on this message board to know right off the bat that while I strongly disagree that homosexuality is "normal", I do not and will not hate people because of their homosexuality. This post was not to stir up some mad argument, but to simply express my heart-felt opinions as everyone has. Thanks.

I definatly agree with that. I am a lesbian, and I fell in love with the most beautiful girl in the entire world. She was so sweet, and I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I consider myself normal. A lot of people I know don't agree with the way I am, but, I feel that it's the same thing- falling in love with the same sex, as falling in love with the opposite. When you kiss someone, it's not because of their gender, it's because of your feelings for them. You should not judge someone by who they date. You should not judge them at all.

Homosexual love needs to be taken seriously. Homosexuals are no different than heterosexuals just as caucasians are no different from african americans. Who has the right to say that two men or two women cannot love each other? Its your choice and if you dont like it then keep it to yourself. Everybody should have the right to love who they want to love. Let homosexuals get married like "normal" people. It's a shame when you get treated like that just because you couldn't control your feelings.

In some countries, the question is not even whether gay marriage should be legalised. In Singapore for example, the debate is still on decriminalising gay sex. Gay rights are human rights, and should be strongly advocated.

It upsets me as a human being that not every one has the same rights. Everyone should have the right to full marriage, not just a union. Homosexual love is no different than heterosexual love.

It is time that every one regardless of sexual orientation has the same rights!!

If you don’t like gay marriage don’t have one!!

I wrote a song that has caused more hate email then I thought possible. I am not gay, but I think what these religious organizations are doing is just wrong. Check out the song "Living in Darkness" at http://www.myspace.com/mysteriousrecords

every one has a right to love who they love.i think that love is an emotion that is hard to ignore and as long as they feel that emotion they are "normal"

So what do you guys think about gay rights?
Post your thoughts and ideas here!