Another panelist, Mitali P., a graduate of Central High School in Champaign, and co-founder of eCISSA, discussed her experience of coming out in an Indian family.
“Many students, such as myself, have to choose between their culture and the culture forced upon them at school,” she said. “Many times, neither group is understanding.”
Urbana High School Principal, Dr. Laura Taylor, said piecing together the reasons why some students feel uncomfortable over LGBT students can be challenging.
“Since schools are mirrors of our society, these socially constructed beliefs play out in our daily endeavors in our classrooms, hallways, and athletic fields,” she said.
Principal Taylor also said she created a Social Justice Committee at Urbana High School to help curb school bullying. “No matter what the subject, I make it clear that issues of social justice are important to me – that I want all students to feel a sense of belonging to our school,” said Dr. Taylor. “I expect [students] to treat each other with respect.”
Celeste McCarty, a school district attorney, said that laws, such as the Illinois Human Rights Act, need to be fully recognized. “It’s a matter of trying to get the school board and administration to enforce it,” McCarty said.
McCarty cited a recent court case in Wisconsin in which a middle school student was abused to much, that he dropped out and moved to Minnesota. “Does the victim have to do their own investigation?” McCarty questioned the audience.
The forum took an emotional turn when a former high school student, Jesse L., gave a graphic account of the abuse she endured while at school. Jesse noted her school administrations’ complete lack of support.
“My dean told me that I had ‘brought it [being gay] upon myself,'” Jesse said. She delved into her past of numerous beatings, teacher abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Her tearful, and emotionally-charged recitation invoked the same in the audience, and sobs could be heard in the audience.
The community responds
Many high school students turned out to show their support for safer schools. Urbana Sophomore Elena Wentworth said that her participation in Urbana High School’s GSA is what brought her out to the forum. “I wanted to see what people had to say. I don’t know what the problem is [for equal rights for LGBT students].”
Junior Sophia Spooner of Urbana wanted to hear the panelists’ individual stories. “Gay rights is a really important issue here and everywhere,” said Spooner.
Camilla Black is a Senior at the local catholic school, St. Thomas More. “I go to St. Thomas More and it’s a really conservative school. I hear really homophobic remarks, and I don’t think it’s right.” Her friendship with a panelist is what inspired her to make it out. “The world needs more love,” she said.
Sue Keller, a mental health worker at the Mental Health Center of Champaign County, says that fairness and justice has always been important to her. “…That kids stay in school and are not harassed; it’s critical we address the problem directly,” she said.
Katy Weseman, assistant director of the LGBT resource center at the University of Illinois, held a booth in the hallway outside the theatre. “We provide great programming to educate students and support for the LGBTQ community,” Weseman said.
Elaine Gehrmann, who serves on the Urbana School Board, and a parent of two students in Urbana school district, said the work she does with Urbana’s social justice committee (who also had a booth) is what roused her to attend the forum.
“The district needs to take a clear stand on teen security, no matter their orientation,” Gehrmann said. “We need more education and training for our teachers.”
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It is critical that these issues continue to be addressed. All students should be treated fairly, independent of their sexual orientation. I hope that the District takes this forum as an indication that it is within its circle of responsibility to protect students – gay, straight, bisexual, and transgendered – alike.