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News & ArtsWednesday, April 13, 2011
Homo Students at Interlake High Are Making It Better
Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Apr 13, 2011 at 12:34 PM
The GSA at Interlake High School produced this amazing and moving video about the annual Day of Silence, which takes place tomorrow, and why they're participating. It's required viewing:
More info on the Day of Silence here, news about how the haters are responding here, and People for the American Way released a report today on the efforts of the religious right to keep schools safe... for bullies:
"The anti-anti-bullying movement sounds like a joke, but it's frighteningly real. The Religious Right is desperately trying to protect bullies and further marginalize gay and gay-perceived kids by stopping efforts to make schools safe for every child," said Michael Keegan, President of People For the American Way.... "The pro-bullying movement shows just how far the Religious Right is willing to go to stop the recognition and acceptance of gay people at every level of society, and to paint themselves as the victims of the gay rights movement,” said Keegan. "The real bullies are the adults who are willing to hurt kids in order to push a political agenda of intolerance and exclusion."
The full report is here.
3
I love the video the national LGBT youth service Belong To put out in Ireland. More of a story than talking heads, this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrJxqvalF…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrJxqvalF…
4
Can I ask a question which might seem flip, but is totally serious. Back in the dark ages (OK, the 80s) when I was in high school, "queer" was considered to be derogatory and disrespectful. Has that changed?
But beyond that, videos like this give me hope for the future.
But beyond that, videos like this give me hope for the future.
5
Attention assholes who wear scarves. Check out the :48 mark. That's right, you're a slave to a highschool trend.
(also, i'm glad this exists)
(also, i'm glad this exists)
7
@3 it was a bit cheesy, unrealistic, and predictable- but damn it if I didn't get teary-eyed at the end. Sometimes cliche works. Powerful stuff.
10
@4
Using "queer" in a positive way is one path toward reclaiming the word from its derogatory and demeaning past (and also avoids saying the alphabetical mouthful of LGBTTQQI.... etc.).
Using "queer" in a positive way is one path toward reclaiming the word from its derogatory and demeaning past (and also avoids saying the alphabetical mouthful of LGBTTQQI.... etc.).
11
@10 - Thanks!
I actually wasn't allowed to use any slang at home growing up, and I tend to be behind the times about what is and isn't acceptable.
I actually wasn't allowed to use any slang at home growing up, and I tend to be behind the times about what is and isn't acceptable.
12
@4: I'm in my early 20s, and as far as I can tell, my generation uses the word "queer" as a non-offensive, non-specific way of describing anyone who is not heterosexual/cisgendered. I think it has officially made the switch from offensive to acceptable, though not positive when that occurred.
14
@5 Hi JF, I'm the "asshole who wears scarves." I've had that scarf since I was 12. I wear scarves because I bike to school, and it's cold outside when it's raining. Who cares if it's "trendy"? I like it. Fine thing to comment on a video about not judging other people.
15
Woot Woot! My Alma Mater! It's a rare day I read it's name on the Slog. Ahh, when I went there, our GSA had four kids! <3
16
Wow, this was actually really well shot and edited. The message is great and the most important aspect, but someone working with these kids at least kind of knows what their doing production and post-wise.
17
@14 If you're the girl in the video, relax, I wasn't calling you an asshole. If you're some disinterested 22 year old who thinks they're just so darn unique because "OMG it's a scarf!" then ya, you're kind of a trendy asshole. Not an asshole in the traditional sense, but more of annoyance. At any rate, you'll learn the difference soon enough.
And the video wasn't about not judging people. It was about showing respect to the LGBT community that they so badly deserve.
And the video wasn't about not judging people. It was about showing respect to the LGBT community that they so badly deserve.
18
Dan, thanks so much for posting this! My friend Emma had the idea of doing the videos and organized everything. I shot and edited them. A ton of students came after school to help and say what they wanted to say.
And to clear things up: the Day of Silence is Friday (the video is going to show on announcements tomorrow.)
Thank you!
-Ben Kadie
my film website: http://slugco.com/
And to clear things up: the Day of Silence is Friday (the video is going to show on announcements tomorrow.)
Thank you!
-Ben Kadie
my film website: http://slugco.com/
19
@17: Your snarky-ness towards scarf wearers makes you the trendy asshole. I hate to throw the word "hipster" around, but by judging because someone for being "trendy" really does fit with the generally accepted definition of someone who is a hipster. Besides, in our group of friends, no one gives a fuck to what others are wearing in terms of stylishness. But apparently you do.
@15: Our GSA has bloomed in the past few months from about 4 to 20 students, mainly because we function during the "off season" for drama (a lot of the club is comprised of theatre kids). Was Mr. Hays the advisor back then? Up until last spring he was our advisor as well, but his husband got a VP job at Warner Bros so Ms. Corso is our advisor now.
@15: Our GSA has bloomed in the past few months from about 4 to 20 students, mainly because we function during the "off season" for drama (a lot of the club is comprised of theatre kids). Was Mr. Hays the advisor back then? Up until last spring he was our advisor as well, but his husband got a VP job at Warner Bros so Ms. Corso is our advisor now.
20
@17: I'm confused how I would possibly be a "disinterested 22 year old," as I clearly attend Interlake High School.
hahaha Emma I love you :)
hahaha Emma I love you :)
21
@17: Seriously, dude, what's with the irrational hatred of accessories? I've been rocking a big scarf as a mainstay of my look, in this chilly clime, since 1982. Scarves are always in style.
Thus sayeth The Sparkle Pony. So shall it be.
Thus sayeth The Sparkle Pony. So shall it be.
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