Denver school educates students about sex and sexuality the right way

Cheers for Denver's Odyssey School for actually educating kids about GLBT people--especially in 7th grade, when kids are at their cruelest.

But Focus on the Family's "gender issues analyst," Jeff Johnston, thinks it's a bad idea, because it might steer someone toward homosexuality--like Mr. Johnston himself, who admits growing up with same-sex attractions.

No, Mr. Johnston, this will not steer kids toward homosexuality. It wouldn't have steered YOU toward homosexuality. You were already there. It's too bad you can't admit it now. Your life must be pretty unhappy.

It's ok to be gay.

Safer schools for gay students

Finally, someone in the federal administration is going to start paying attention to bullying and harassment of GLBT students and those perceived as such. I know from personal experience that once a student is the victim of school bullying, teachers and principals look the other way, and they would rather get rid of the victim than stop the harassment. Sometimes, they even encourage it or take part in it. At least our new education secretary realizes that school is for all kids--not just those who fit a certain mold. Let's hope something can be done before we lose a generation of kids.

Homophobia in schools is still a problem

Nine in ten GLBT teens experienced verbal harassment and discrimination this past school year and almost half have been physically harassed due to their sexual orientation, claims a new study by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. But it's not just GLBT kids and it's not just in some faraway location. Bullies use "gay" as the ultimate putdown, and it's even used against straight kids--and right here in Colorado. I'm in the middle of a battle right now with a particular school system that refuses to intervene in a serious case of bullying, and if it continues, believe me, you'll be hearing more about it.

For help dealing with a bullying situation in school check out BullyPolice.org.

Bullies

'Bullies.'

'Bullying.'

The words sound so quaint.

Other words to describe the same behaviors as bullying don't have nearly the same innocuous ring.

Harassment.

Assault.

Sexual Assault.

Degradation.

Those words describe some of the things I've been dealing with on behalf of my nephew who is being bullied at his school.

The situation is getting worse and worse.

Dealing with the school administration is a challenging and frustrating situation to say the least.

The school's Director and teachers have been teaching me an all-new set of A,B,Cs.

A is for Always deny there's a problem.

B is for Blame the victim.

C is for Close ranks and attack.