Is Principal wrong in outing gay student?

[IDrinkaRum]

Most in small Pan-handle Floridian town support school principal over this (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26316235/?GT1=43001)

School principal outed a gay student. When her friends showed support by donning gay-friendly clothing (rainbow colors), some were suspended and asked about their own sexual orientation. ACLU got involved and student won. Many in the town support the principal and most say the principal is a "hero" for outing the gay student because being gay is bad in the Bible Belt.

[Arcade Man D]

In response to the question posed by the title, hell yes.

A person's sexual orientation, and their openness about it, is no one's damn business but their own. And maybe people crushing on them. >.>

[Lachrymose]

From the article:

"Many in the community support Davis and feel outsiders are forcing their beliefs on them. "

Bwahaha! Ironic, isn't it? If he would have just kept his mouth shut to begin with that wouldn't have happened. (Not that I feel it's "forcing a belief" anyway).

[Greenday]

Justice was not done in this case. A simple demotion is a load of crap. He should have had his teaching license revoked immediately.

I'd be embarrassed to be from that town. I'd lie my ass off if someone asked me where I was from. Just because your a close-minded prick does not mean you should be allowed to harass people for their beliefs.

[MystyGlyttyr]

I just...physically can not understand WHY people can be that way. I mean, I just can't. I can't understand having those kinds of beliefs, let alone acting in such a negative, stupid, hateful way. I mean, if that's what you believe, that's what you believe, I suppose, but can't you still just not be an idiot about it?

I mean, I just can't understand. It's so nonsensical. How could the principal have not KNOWN this would happen if he acted that way?

[Boozy]

From the article:

"Many in the community support Davis and feel outsiders are forcing their beliefs on them. "

Bwahaha! Ironic, isn't it?

You beat me to it. This quote is so bloody ironic that I suspect that the reporter used that wording on purpose to make a point.

[Sylvia727]

The principal's actions were malicious and spiteful, about as far from Christian values and "love thy neighbor" as one can get. A child under his care came to him for help with bullies, and instead he threw her to the wolves. Outting her to her parents could have destroyed her life, as they could well have felt as he did and disowned her. He should have been fired and had his teaching license revoked as a matter of course. The girl should have then sued him for her therapy bills. Because she will most likely need therapy to help her learn to trust humanity again after an authority figure brutalized her during formative years of her life.

The principal then proceeded to harass the other students for daring to support their friend. The female students mentioned in the article should file a class action sexual harassment lawsuit against him for lifting up their shirts to inspect their bodies. The man charged with caring for these children partially disrobed the girls and no one seems to notice! Any student whose sexuality was questioned ought to get in on this lawsuit, too.

If I'd been a student attending this school, I would have worn rainbow shirts with the best of them, and claimed to be a lesbian just to see his reaction. Of course, I tend to get spiteful when a religion of love and peace is mangled to justify hatred and intolerance. See this (http://www.somethingpositive.net/sp10192006.shtml) something positive strip for a good example.

One of the school board members said, "I guess I didn't realize we were this bad." While I bemoan his blindness, I at least hope that this will provoke some change, no matter how slight.

[tropicsgoddess]

The principal was wrong for outing the student, it was the student's business to out herself, not the principal or anybody else's. :mad:

[ThePhoneGoddess]

This story illustrates the point I made in the hair Length thread perfectly.

Small towns in the bible belt want to live under a Christian state, and when somebody challenges that they immediately cry persecution.

[crazylegs]

Was he in the wrong?

Oh yes.

He advertised sensitive personal data about one of his students when he had no duty nor need to disclose it. If he'd done that in the UK there would be hell to pay under DPA.

Not just from the legal aspect, the arrogance of the man that meant he felt justified in exposing someones sexuality to someone else is staggering.

[MadMike]

To be blunt, this principal should be shot. After being hanged.

OK, I'm exaggerating slightly, but people like that are one of the few things in this world that I truly hate.

[AdminAssistant]

Oh, this makes my blood boil. I LOVE my LGBT friends. (Does anyone else think LGBT sounds like a sandwich? :lol:)

You never, ever publicly out someone. If a friend says, "Hey, I'm gay, but I haven't told anyone yet", you keep your damn mouth shut (and feel very honored that they trusted you enough to come out to you first). For a person in a position of authority to not only out a student, but to harrass her friends, is just wrongity wrong.

:cry:

[Arcade Man D]

(Does anyone else think LGBT sounds like a sandwich? :lol: )

Hmmm.... lettuce, goat cheese, bacon and tomato? Could be good. :lol:

[powerboy]

Yes that guy was wrong. If someone is gay or bi or lesbian, so what. That is who they are. I wish that everyone can understand that it is not a sin. They say that God created everyone equal. Then going by that, he created Gays also. Who is to say that being gay is a sin? How many translations have been written throughout history? How many translations has been written, that was not recorded? And yes I am a Christian

I have Gay lesbian and Bi friends. Hell I go to a gay bar every Tuesday with some friends. Plus we are always the life of the party when we go:cool:, it helps that we know everyone there and the DJ. I have received and gave a kiss on the cheek by a few gay friends. Always getting hugs and kisses from some Bi females.

As you can see, I have no problem with the GLBT

[Amethyst Hunter]

To be blunt, this principal should be shot. After being hanged...OK, I'm exaggerating slightly...

No argument here. And people wonder why so many kids don't trust "authority figures" like this. Hell, when I was in school I hated the ones running my joint, because they wouldn't do shit about the bullies giving me crap - they almost always sided with them!

That was just plain cruel and evil. I hope it comes back to bite Principal in the ass bigtime. That poor, poor student. :(

[jedimaster91]

I personally do not agree with the practice of homosexuality. However, what this principal did is wrong on the highest level. A student came to him in confidence and he betrayed her trust. That is unforgivable. Just because I don't agree with your lifestyle choice doesn't mean it isn't your right to live in the manner you see fit so long as you're not infringing on anyone else's rights. This is one time I applaud the ACLU for getting involved. He had no right to harrass his students.

[Sylvia727]

Hell, when I was in school I hated the ones running my joint, because they wouldn't do shit about the bullies giving me crap - they almost always sided with them!

YES. As horrible as the Columbine shootings were, a lot of people finally opened their eyes to the true horrors of school bullying after that. Adults that tell students to "suck it up" only damage them further. Teenagers are sophisticated these days, and can inflict terrible things on their classmates. Any adult that not only fails to prevent, but also encourages, school bullying at the very least has no place in a school. And I personally think they ought to be whacked upside the head a few times a day until they understand.

[smileyeagle1021]

I already had my answer just from reading the thread title... the principle should be put to death in unique and painful ways... if someone tells you something in confidence, especially something as seriously as becoming aware of their sexual orientation, you have an obligation to keep it confidential, until such time that the person who came to you tells you otherwise. I've known people who have been outed, and anyone who would inflict that, in my humble opinion, does not deserve to be on this planet... he's wasting resources that could be better used by the real humans.

[MadMike]

They say that God created everyone equal. Then going by that, he created Gays also.

I made the same point years ago, on another message board. I wasn't always the well-behaved moderator type that I am now, and flamed quite a few idiots back then.

There was this discussion about homosexuality, which pretty much came down to an argument between several gay people, and some religious nuts who were either condemning them, or trying to "help" them by urging them to change their "evil" ways and turn straight.

I stepped in and raised the question that if being gay was such a horrible sin, then why did God make people that way?

Oh, you should have seen the cussing out I got from one of these so-called people of God. It was totally worth it. :D

[powerboy]

I made the same point years ago, on another message board.


Whoa, MadMike and I made the same comment on two different boards. Now, that's cool. I also made that comment on another board and I got IP banned shortly after.

[AFPheonix]

Not to mention the fact that Jesus himself was pretty much a Commie who liked to slum around with the tax collectors and prostitutes. Today's religious conservatives look very little like the original church, even those like the Plymouth Brethren who try to practice exactly like the Acts church did.

I guess this is going to be a battle much like the Civil Rights movement was in the 60's and 70's until some of these old coots finally keel over and take their anger and hate with them.

[Flyndaran]

...
I stepped in and raised the question that if being gay was such a horrible sin, then why did God make people that way?
...

That's a very feeble argument. If X is a horrible sin, then why did god make people that way. If serial killing is a sin, then why did god make any?

As an atheist, I refuse to turn any religious nut's argument to religion.

The simply fact is that adult sex practices and who one can have a loving non-harmful relationship with is no one's business but their own.

I didn't choose be hetero. I was born this way liking the ladies long before puberty made it a biological necessity. Homosexuality exists in numerous social species and in similar 10% proportions as in humans.

So, natural, non-harmful, and a great potential for life long love in a cold world full of hate, violence, and apathy is bad? That's one of the most screwed up nonsensical statements religious people make out of a really big list of rubbish.

[suchislife2]

I stepped in and raised the question that if being gay was such a horrible sin, then why did God make people that way?

:D

:D:D

I laughed so hard when I read that! Now I have a great line to use when my step dad and mum start in on me about things like this.

On topic: I agree with everything that has already been said! The principle should have his licience removed! Demoting will do nothing! He'll somehow work his way back to the top in the end through "good behavior" I'm sure.

This is the reason why there are probably so many suicides and homicides. Or whatever. Kids can't even trust those who are meant to be there to help them in times of need!

I can't cay much else. I'm lost for words.

[Rapscallion]

I keep reading the title and wondering why it was necessary to phrase it as a question. I regard it as a no-brainer.

I also note that there's nobody on the board arguing in favour of the principal in this case. Anyone?

Rapscallion

[smileyeagle1021]

I also note that there's nobody on the board arguing in favour of the principal in this case. Anyone?

Rapscallion

That entire city's only redeeming grace is when Gary Scott said "I guess I didn't realize we were this bad"... so maybe, just maybe, the people of that town will have to open their eyes and realize just how wrong their beliefs are... and if that does happen then the principles actions may, just may, be a good thing done for the wrong reason... that said, even if this does turn out to be a good thing, I can never forgive the principles motives...

and that post is probably the closest you will find to someone supporting the principle.

[Greenday]

I keep reading the title and wondering why it was necessary to phrase it as a question. I regard it as a no-brainer.

I also note that there's nobody on the board arguing in favour of the principal in this case. Anyone?

Rapscallion

Ok, I'll argue there was nothing wrong with the principal outing a gay student. There's obviously something mentally wrong with him and he can't be held responsible for what he did. So since he can't control his stupidity, he can't really be considered wrong.

Is that better?

[AFPheonix]

I wish we could blame that on mental unsoundness, but having grown up in a conservative Christian environment, these people are quite sane and do believe strongly that homosexuality is wrong.

However, as a figure of authority, the principal's action was unprofessional at best, unethical and mean spirited at worst. He should not be employed in a position of authority like a teacher or principal any longer.

[Sylvia727]

There's obviously something mentally wrong with him and he can't be held responsible for what he did.

If we classed every bully as insane, our hospitals would be a lot fuller and the streets would be a lot emptier. There's nothing "wrong" with him, just his own sadism and pathetic need for control. However; while the principal's actions were inexcusable, a large portion of the blame needs to fall on the school board, who are responsible for his behavior and yet have not corrected the problem. I find it intolerable that they've left a power-hungry bully in charge of young adults.

[Boozy]

I think Greenday's response was tongue-in-cheek. He'd probably agree with you.

[Greenday]

I think Greenday's response was tongue-in-cheek. He'd probably agree with you.

Spot on. In reality, the guy really is a douchebag.

[Rapscallion]

My initial question was more based on why the question was being asked. Admittedly, I'd be quite happy if someone did argue in favour of the principle - that's the purpose of the board, after all - but I just don't know of any logical arguments that could be used. I've yet to hear one at all.

Rapscallion

[Sylvia727]

Spot on. In reality, the guy really is a douchebag.

Oh right. Internet = lack of auditory cues. :o