Homophobic Bullying?

It takes some courage to discuss certain, highly charged topics, like homophobic bullying, but we feel the topic is important enough and is worth the risk of ridicule and rebuke.  But it may also be to our credit that we are willing to raise the issue.  We feel it is worth it because we have observed some hostile attitudes that we'd like to address and increase understanding of, and ultimately provide peaceful solutions.  Having said that, we in no way want to change people's values.  Individuals have the absolute right to like, to dislike, and to be indifferent.  We welcome all responses. 

Some students at Bernstein are gay, while others, while most, are not.  A person's sexual preference is their own business.  But people judge; that’s what we do.  So when we see a personal action being expressed in public, we might be offended.  It’s not the sexuality that is offensive; it is the public display that may roil us.  That’s an important distinction to make.  But we all know that it is best to be as kind to people as we can in spite of our objections, however shaking they might be.  It is the degree to which a civilization demonstrates kindness, and not necessarily its technology, that is the hallmark of its civilized people and culture.  We at Dragon News prefer civilized words and actions.   

Many gays to avoid ridicule decide to keep their sexuality to themselves as do most people.  That's smart.  After all, our sexual preference is not something to be brandished about proudly; we didn't do or accomplish anything with it.  It makes no good sense to make that private part of our lives public.  You make personal things like that public and the public will destroy your private life.  So good for gays for refusing to make their private life the property of the public.  Everybody knows we live in a prejudiced world.  And why not?  Prejudice, after all, is economical.  Asking other people to think about someone else or any topic that they are not interested in requires too much effort.  Nobody cares, hopefully.  To ask or force someone to care invites its own problems.  Take our advice.  Keep it to yourself.  That won't hurt your career.   

My best friend happens to be gay.  It's your life, and although your enemies can tell you that you are wrong, you don't have to listen to them.  If you are getting bullied for your sexuality, you can find some help here.  We don't want anybody harming others or themselves.  Do not hurt yourself, please.  Someone else's prejudice is no reason to hurt yourself; they are not worthy of you being injured.  Though we read regrettably that some teenagers do hurt themselves, we must ask to what end?  In the United States, we take this issue seriously, because more than 30 out of 50 die because of bullying that makes other feel bad about their sexuality.  The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention recommends that school officials take suicide threats seriously.  They've found that seventy-five percent of all suicide victims give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.  The American Suicide Center does provide help.  If you feel you want some help, we encourage you to contact them.  Being called an agreed-upon nickname by our friends is acceptable; they are our friends.  Even if they call us what to others sounds derogatory.  It's not the name that hurts, it's the intention.  Among boys who are friends, if one calls the other a fag it is done in playful teasing.  But if a stranger calls someone a “fag” it is done to provoke, humiliate, and hurt.  That's when it is wrong.   It's not about being gay, it's about someone trying to hurt.  I recommend that you just be yourself.  If you’re being harassed, it may be good to let someone know—a friend, a parent, a relative.  If family and friends are not sympathetic, you may want to consider contacting one of these helpful resources.   A friend suggested this thoughtful video.  Let me know what you think. 

www.teenlineonline.org/ 
www.thetrevorproject.org 
suicidehotlines.com/national.html