I'm not sure that of all the issues at hand right now, CNN's front-page coverage of this is the most appropriate really.... but anyways:
Public school officials in Chicago, Illinois, are recommending approval of a "gay-friendly" high school because harassment and violence are causing gay students to skip class and drop out at alarming rates.
The School for Social Justice Pride Campus, which officials say will not be exclusive to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, is aimed at being safe and welcoming for any student looking for another school option, said Josh Edelman, executive officer in the Chicago Public Schools' Office of New Schools.
"It is not going to be a 'gay high school,' but yes, in a way, it is meant to target kids who feel they have been victims of bullying for their sexual orientation or perceived orientation," Edelman said.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan announced his recommendation Wednesday. Officials said Pride Campus would be separate physically but be attached administratively to the School for Social Justice.
It's an interesting idea. Certainly homophobia has a terrible effect on many gay students, forcing some to drop out or worse. But I'm not sure giving them their own gay-friendly campus is the best long-term solution. It will ease the problem for students who are willing to opt-in to such a system, but there are surely countless young queer folks who are either not out / comfortable with doing so, or who strongly desire to stay at their designated school for other reasons (sports, theater, friends from elementary, etc). It also just lets the problem -- homophobia and bullying -- continue to fester inside the classroom.
I'm torn about how to receive this news. CNN ran a similar story back in 2003 when the Harvey Milk High School opened in New York City, which was more explicit about being for LGBT-identified students (the Chicago School is billed as just "gay-friendly"). It would be useful to hear stories from students at Harvey Milk High, to see how useful it has been for them in escaping homophobia and achieving academic success.
