MR

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/22/te ... osexuality

Texas School Punishes Boy for Opposing Homosexuality

An honors student in Fort Worth, Texas, was sent to the principal’s office and punished for telling a classmate that he believes homosexuality is wrong.

Holly Pope said she was “absolutely stunned” when she received a telephone call from an assistant principal at Western Hills High School informing her that her son, Dakota Ary, had been sent to in-school suspension.

“Dakota is a very well-grounded 14-year-old,” she told Fox News Radio noting that her son is an honors student, plays on the football team and is active in his church youth group. “He’s been in church his whole life and he’s been taught to stand up for what he believes.”

And that’s what got him in trouble.

Dakota was in a German class at the high school when the conversation shifted to religion and homosexuality in Germany. At some point during the conversation, he turned to a friend and said that he was a Christian and “being a homosexual is wrong.”

“It wasn’t directed to anyone except my friend who was sitting behind me,” Dakota told Fox. “I guess [the teacher] heard me. He started yelling. He told me he was going to write me an infraction and send me to the office.”

Dakota was sentenced to one day in-school suspension – and two days of full suspension. His mother was flabbergasted, noting that her son had a spotless record, was an honor student, volunteered at his church and played on the school football team.

Officials at the high school did not return calls for comment. However, the Fort Worth Independent School District issued a statement that read:

“As a matter of course, Fort Worth ISD does not comment on specific employee or student-related issues. Suffice it to say that we are following district policy in our review of the circumstances and any resolution will likewise be in accordance with district policy.”

After a meeting with Pope and her attorney, the school rescinded the two-day suspension so Dakota would be allowed to play in an upcoming football game.

“They’ve righted all the wrongs,” said Matt Krause, an attorney with the Liberty Counsel. “This should have no lasting effect on his academic or personal record going forward.”

Pope contacted the Liberty Counsel immediately after her son was punished.

“I told the school that he should never have been suspended for exercising his Constitutional rights,” Krause told Fox News Radio. “The principal is sincere in trying to do the right thing and hopefully they will tell the teacher, ‘Do not do that anymore.’ He won’t be pushing his agenda.”

Krause called the incident “mind blowing” and said the teacher had frequently brought homosexuality into ninth grade classroom discussions.

“There has been a history with this teacher in the class regarding homosexual topics,” Krause said. “The teacher had posted a picture of two men kissing on a wall that offended some of the students.”

Krause said the picture was posted on the teacher’s “world wall.”

“He told the students this is happening all over the world and you need to accept the fact that homosexuality is just part of our culture now,” Krause said.

The school district would not comment on why a teacher was discussing homosexuality in a ninth grade German class.

“In German class there should be no talk of being pro-Gay or homosexual topics,” Krause said.

Dakota’s mother said she believes the teacher should apologize.

“He should never have been punished,” Pope said. “He didn’t disrupt the class. He wasn’t threatening. He wasn’t hostile. He made a comment to his friend and the teacher overheard it.”

“My son knows people that are homosexual,” she said. “He’s not saying, ‘I don’t like you.’ He’s saying, ‘I’m a Christian and I believe that being that way is wrong.’”

Krause said school leaders told Dakota that in the future he should be careful when and where he talks about his opposition to homosexuality – suggesting that he talk about such matters in the hallway instead of the classroom.

He said Liberty Counsel will monitor the situation to make sure there is no future retaliation. Meantime, Pope said her son will return to the teacher’s classroom.

“I’ve told him to treat this teacher with respect,” she said. “He is your elder. He is your teacher. What his beliefs are or what they are not – outside the school is none of our business.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/22/te ... z1Yk0hBVzb

Sounds like the teacher had a hair up his ass (or something else up his ass).

Rick wrote:“There has been a history with this teacher in the class regarding homosexual topics,” Krause said. “The teacher had posted a picture of two men kissing on a wall that offended some of the students.”

And this guy suspended a student? He's way out of line.

I lived in Germany for three years and I did not see a larger prominence of homosexuality than exists here. I don't agree with harming or mistreating anyone for being homosexual, but it does seem this guy had a big agenda to push. Not really needed in a High School German class.

In the society we live in you must support and condone homosexuality or the PC police will be on your ass.

steveo777 wrote:In the society we live in you must support and condone homosexuality or the PC police will be on your ass.

Or in it.

steveo777 wrote:In the society we live in you must support and condone homosexuality or the PC police will be on your ass.

I don't agree with homosexuality, as I think it's abnormal, but I have a lot of friends who are the same said, and I treat them with the same respect that I treat anyone else. It's their choice, and I have no right to infringe on that.

With all of that said, I've come a long way in learning to be understanding in this issue. I was raised to believe it was an abomination. It's definitely an issue that I continue to work on, personally.

Don wrote:

steveo777 wrote:In the society we live in you must support and condone homosexuality or the PC police will be on your ass.

Or in it.

wow, she even hired a German atty.

Michigan Girl wrote:wow, she even hired a German atty.

Should have gone French.

Homosexuality is about as "abnormal" and "wrong" as having two different colored eyes, being left-handed or an albino. In other words, it's common enough to not be so feaked out by it.

"Opposing" it, "disagreeing with" it and labeling it as "wrong" from your own perspective is pointless and is not going to stop it from occuring. There are much worse things in this world one could be "against" if they want to take a stand that badly.

Pelata wrote:Homosexuality is about as "abnormal" and "wrong" as having two different colored eyes, being left-handed or an albino. In other words, it's common enough to not be so feaked out by it.

"Opposing" it, "disagreeing with" it and labeling it as "wrong" from your own perspective is pointless and is not going to stop it from occuring. There are much worse things in this world one could be "against" if they want to take a stand that badly.

And you have your own opinions and beliefs about homosexuality and should have those opinions and beliefs without fear of punishment. However, likewise, this 14 year old kid has just as much right to his opinions and beliefs about homosexuality. Instead, he was punished for his beliefs.

Greg wrote:

Pelata wrote:Homosexuality is about as "abnormal" and "wrong" as having two different colored eyes, being left-handed or an albino. In other words, it's common enough to not be so feaked out by it.

"Opposing" it, "disagreeing with" it and labeling it as "wrong" from your own perspective is pointless and is not going to stop it from occuring. There are much worse things in this world one could be "against" if they want to take a stand that badly.

And you have your own opinions and beliefs about homosexuality and should have those opinions and beliefs without fear of punishment. However, likewise, this 14 year old kid has just as much right to his opinions and beliefs about homosexuality. Instead, he was punished for his beliefs.

I'm not saying that I think he should have received ISS...that's silly, IMO. But, just like I believe that at 14 he's simply repeating what he's been taught with no evidence or experience of his own, I also believe that at 14 he doesn't understand that, by saying that, he's telling every homosexual person in the room, or the school, or the town, that he views them as bad people/people doing wrong. He opened his mouth thinking he was being bold and taking a stand, when in reality he was being stupid and inconsiderate. They were not discussing personal opinions on homosexuality...they were discussing the effects of religion and homosexuality in another country.

Pelata wrote:He opened his mouth thinking he was being bold and taking a stand, when in reality he was being stupid and inconsiderate. They were not discussing personal opinions on homosexuality...they were discussing the effects of religion and homosexuality in another country.

So you think it's cool that the guy hung a poster of two men smooching, for his classes to "enjoy"? Most people would object to a visual of a man and woman kissing, let alone two men.

verslibre wrote:

Pelata wrote:He opened his mouth thinking he was being bold and taking a stand, when in reality he was being stupid and inconsiderate. They were not discussing personal opinions on homosexuality...they were discussing the effects of religion and homosexuality in another country.

So you think it's cool that the guy hung a poster of two men smooching, for his classes to "enjoy"? Most people would object to a visual of a man and woman kissing, let alone two men.

If it were two oiled up, naked men in an embrace tonguing each other hung on the wall in a 9th grade class, no...not cool. But that's not what it was, was it? It was a picture of two men kissing who, I assume, were clothed and looking rather innocent.

I agree with the teacher's assertion that homosexuality is part of human culture and everyone should simply accept it and move on. You have a personal problem with homosexuality? Good...then don't be gay and you have nothing to worry about.

Honestly, the teacher's behavior would lead me to suspect that he himself is gay and hiding it. Otherwise, why would he put that picture up and bring up the subject in a class where he's supposed to be teaching the German language. Why else would he lose his mind over one 14 year old kid's ill-timed statement? But I digress...

There's a hypocrisy in regards to all of these hot button topics. The religious - namely Christians - are viewed by the nonreligious as bigots; people who are unwilling to accept the beliefs of others. But, the nonreligious is just as guilty. Nobody seems to cry foul when a Christian's faith and belief system is attacked; actually, they tend to pile on. However, let a Christian state what he/she believes in even if it's a side conversation with a friend - and suddenly the pitch forks come out. The boy was speaking to the friend, not the class. He has every right to feel homosexuality is wrong - whether if we agree or disagree. A Christian should have every right of freedom of speech like someone does protesting against the church. Can't have it both ways.

Oh, I think the teacher absolutely overreacted and lost his shit for no reason. But like I said, there's a reason it's such a touchy issue for him, I suspect.

As for why people don't stand up when Christianity gets "attacked", people do...Christians do. The Christian sector is one of the loudest, most outspoken and judgemental groups in media. I would speculate that maybe the reason non-Christians don't join in the stand-taking on the side of the Christians is that, by and large, it's the Christian sector who seems to be always shouting from the rooftops about something or other that they're against or think is wrong leaving most non-Christians on the other side. You kick sand in people's faces enough times that when someone finally kicks sand in yours, everyone else will cheer. But like I said, that's just my speculation...I in no way espouse that as fact.

Yes, this kid's freedom of speech should have protected him from his ill-timed comment. Yes, the teacher way overreacted. No, he should never have been suspended. But maybe next time this kid will choose his words, or when he chooses to say them, more carefully. We could all use a little tact sometimes.

I'm as hetero as they come, but I honestly can't get worked up (not that way) about homosexuality. With all the problems in the world, I just don't have time to worry about something so insignificant.

I don't understand how one person's being gay somehow requires any kind of positive or negative judgement from any non-gay person.

"I think it's wrong"...who cares? Nobody asked you. Like I said, if you have a problem with homosexuality, then don't be gay and you'll have no problem.

Pelata wrote:I don't understand how one person's being gay somehow requires any kind of positive or negative judgement from any non-gay person.

"I think it's wrong"...who cares? Nobody asked you. Like I said, if you have a problem with homosexuality, then don't be gay and you'll have no problem.

That's kind of my point with the hot button topics, Pelata. I, personally don't have any issues with homosexuals. I don't agree with the life style, but that is not up to me to judge, nor is it up to me to condone it either. Gay couples deserve rights like anybody else if we're thinking in terms of legal side of things. From the spiritual side of things with marriage (God recognizing the marriage) that's a whole different topic that I won't go into.

But, just the same, the likewise argument should apply to the religious as well - if one has a problem with religion, don't be religious, but don't complain about it either.

Pelata wrote:Oh, I think the teacher absolutely overreacted and lost his shit for no reason. But like I said, there's a reason it's such a touchy issue for him, I suspect.

As for why people don't stand up when Christianity gets "attacked", people do...Christians do. The Christian sector is one of the loudest, most outspoken and judgemental groups in media. I would speculate that maybe the reason non-Christians don't join in the stand-taking on the side of the Christians is that, by and large, it's the Christian sector who seems to be always shouting from the rooftops about something or other that they're against or think is wrong leaving most non-Christians on the other side. You kick sand in people's faces enough times that when someone finally kicks sand in yours, everyone else will cheer. But like I said, that's just my speculation...I in no way espouse that as fact.

Yes, this kid's freedom of speech should have protected him from his ill-timed comment. Yes, the teacher way overreacted. No, he should never have been suspended. But maybe next time this kid will choose his words, or when he chooses to say them, more carefully. We could all use a little tact sometimes.

If the teacher is homosexual or not, it was not needed to teach the German language and culture, you might be able to say something like, as in the U.S. homosexuals also live in Germany. But doing a whole spiel over homosexuality, as though it is the majority in Germany, which it is not, sounds like an agenda. Maybe he is a homosexual. No problem with that. But just as I as a Christian cannot segment a piece of my art class as a Christian learning class, sexuality in a German language class is not appropriate, it has nothing to do with the Frameworks and Curriculum of the class.

I think the teacher should expect some reactions to his choice to veer away from his mandated curriculum to trumpet the homosexual point of view. I as a parent would have to ask why it was on the curriculum at all.

artist4perry wrote:

Pelata wrote:Oh, I think the teacher absolutely overreacted and lost his shit for no reason. But like I said, there's a reason it's such a touchy issue for him, I suspect.

As for why people don't stand up when Christianity gets "attacked", people do...Christians do. The Christian sector is one of the loudest, most outspoken and judgemental groups in media. I would speculate that maybe the reason non-Christians don't join in the stand-taking on the side of the Christians is that, by and large, it's the Christian sector who seems to be always shouting from the rooftops about something or other that they're against or think is wrong leaving most non-Christians on the other side. You kick sand in people's faces enough times that when someone finally kicks sand in yours, everyone else will cheer. But like I said, that's just my speculation...I in no way espouse that as fact.

Yes, this kid's freedom of speech should have protected him from his ill-timed comment. Yes, the teacher way overreacted. No, he should never have been suspended. But maybe next time this kid will choose his words, or when he chooses to say them, more carefully. We could all use a little tact sometimes.

If the teacher is homosexual or not, it was not needed to teach the German language and culture, you might be able to say something like, as in the U.S. homosexuals also live in Germany. But doing a whole spiel over homosexuality, as though it is the majority in Germany, which it is not, sounds like an agenda. Maybe he is a homosexual. No problem with that. But just as I as a Christian cannot segment a piece of my art class as a Christian learning class, sexuality in a German language class is not appropriate, it has nothing to do with the Frameworks and Curriculum of the class.

I think the teacher should expect some reactions to his choice to veer away from his mandated curriculum to trumpet the homosexual point of view. I as a parent would have to ask why it was on the curriculum at all.

Hang on a sec. This is a situation where the pupil, not the teacher, introduced the subject. What if the puplil had said blacks are inferior? Wouldn't you have expected the teacher to intervene? What's the difference? It's all predujice. Mostly by the religious, I might add.

Duncan wrote:

artist4perry wrote:

Pelata wrote:Oh, I think the teacher absolutely overreacted and lost his shit for no reason. But like I said, there's a reason it's such a touchy issue for him, I suspect.

As for why people don't stand up when Christianity gets "attacked", people do...Christians do. The Christian sector is one of the loudest, most outspoken and judgemental groups in media. I would speculate that maybe the reason non-Christians don't join in the stand-taking on the side of the Christians is that, by and large, it's the Christian sector who seems to be always shouting from the rooftops about something or other that they're against or think is wrong leaving most non-Christians on the other side. You kick sand in people's faces enough times that when someone finally kicks sand in yours, everyone else will cheer. But like I said, that's just my speculation...I in no way espouse that as fact.

Yes, this kid's freedom of speech should have protected him from his ill-timed comment. Yes, the teacher way overreacted. No, he should never have been suspended. But maybe next time this kid will choose his words, or when he chooses to say them, more carefully. We could all use a little tact sometimes.

If the teacher is homosexual or not, it was not needed to teach the German language and culture, you might be able to say something like, as in the U.S. homosexuals also live in Germany. But doing a whole spiel over homosexuality, as though it is the majority in Germany, which it is not, sounds like an agenda. Maybe he is a homosexual. No problem with that. But just as I as a Christian cannot segment a piece of my art class as a Christian learning class, sexuality in a German language class is not appropriate, it has nothing to do with the Frameworks and Curriculum of the class.

I think the teacher should expect some reactions to his choice to veer away from his mandated curriculum to trumpet the homosexual point of view. I as a parent would have to ask why it was on the curriculum at all.

Hang on a sec. This is a situation where the pupil, not the teacher, introduced the subject. What if the puplil had said blacks are inferior? Wouldn't you have expected the teacher to intervene? What's the difference? It's all predujice. Mostly by the religious, I might add.

Read again Duncan, it was part of the lesson. In a German language class. And we all know how you just have no prejudices of your own about religion. I don't think a child should be suspended for two days for saying he disagrees with the homosexual lifestyle. He did not say they should be harmed, or done away with. The teacher introduced a subject that was not pertinent to the proper frameworks and opened that can of worms himself. Now what if I wanted to tout my religion in the guise of an art lesson.......would you not be screaming separation of church and state to the high heavens? So why is sexuality being taught in a German language class? Both would be agendas not mandated by the school curriculum, and neither have a place in these settings. That was my point. By bringing it up, he allows this student to say something about not agreeing with it. If I brought up religion, a student cannot say I don't agree there is a God? See the teacher is at fault here.

Krause called the incident “mind blowing” and said the teacher had frequently brought homosexuality into ninth grade classroom discussions.

“There has been a history with this teacher in the class regarding homosexual topics,” Krause said. “The teacher had posted a picture of two men kissing on a wall that offended some of the students.”

This thread is gay.

Duncan wrote:

artist4perry wrote:

Pelata wrote:Oh, I think the teacher absolutely overreacted and lost his shit for no reason. But like I said, there's a reason it's such a touchy issue for him, I suspect.

As for why people don't stand up when Christianity gets "attacked", people do...Christians do. The Christian sector is one of the loudest, most outspoken and judgemental groups in media. I would speculate that maybe the reason non-Christians don't join in the stand-taking on the side of the Christians is that, by and large, it's the Christian sector who seems to be always shouting from the rooftops about something or other that they're against or think is wrong leaving most non-Christians on the other side. You kick sand in people's faces enough times that when someone finally kicks sand in yours, everyone else will cheer. But like I said, that's just my speculation...I in no way espouse that as fact.

Yes, this kid's freedom of speech should have protected him from his ill-timed comment. Yes, the teacher way overreacted. No, he should never have been suspended. But maybe next time this kid will choose his words, or when he chooses to say them, more carefully. We could all use a little tact sometimes.

If the teacher is homosexual or not, it was not needed to teach the German language and culture, you might be able to say something like, as in the U.S. homosexuals also live in Germany. But doing a whole spiel over homosexuality, as though it is the majority in Germany, which it is not, sounds like an agenda. Maybe he is a homosexual. No problem with that. But just as I as a Christian cannot segment a piece of my art class as a Christian learning class, sexuality in a German language class is not appropriate, it has nothing to do with the Frameworks and Curriculum of the class.

I think the teacher should expect some reactions to his choice to veer away from his mandated curriculum to trumpet the homosexual point of view. I as a parent would have to ask why it was on the curriculum at all.

Hang on a sec. This is a situation where the pupil, not the teacher, introduced the subject. What if the puplil had said blacks are inferior? Wouldn't you have expected the teacher to intervene? What's the difference? It's all predujice. Mostly by the religious, I might add.

By the way Duncan, I do not allow homosexual students to be mistreated in class. I have on more than one occasion stopped student harassment to homosexual students. I don't think it is right to mistreat anyone for any reason.

Saint John wrote:This thread is gay.

Go to your room!

yulog wrote:

Saint John wrote:This thread is gay.

Go to your room!

Someone pass the popcorn.

THE PC POLICE HAVE ARRIVED!


PAD YOUR BACKSIDE DAN!

artist4perry wrote:

yulog wrote:

Saint John wrote:This thread is gay.

Go to your room!

Someone pass the popcorn.

Made a batch just for you

Duncan wrote:This is a situation where the pupil, not the teacher, introduced the subject.

Survey says...

WRONG.