Chicago to approve first gay high school

This is a really interesting suggestion. On the one hand, Supreme Court cases were fought over desegregating schools. This would not be race based, of course, but it would be a self-segregation on another "category". However, if the schools could better serve this community, perhaps it's a good idea. I think both the gay and straight students would miss out on the opportunity to learn from each other in the classroom, but maybe that happens more in college than in highschool where perhaps maturity and empathy is lacking.

First, race. Second, sexual orientation. Third,...?

This shouldn't be necessary, they should be able to go to school with everyone else.

But, having them get an education is important so I support it.

This is kind of like segregation...its not their fault, its the people who discourage them to go the school in first place...

Sounds nice, at first, to separate the "harassed" from the "harassers", and I feel as though the intentions are in the favor of the students and their education, but something about this whispers "separate but equal". And "special treatment". I don't know. But if there's empirical data to support the need for a new school for GLBT students then god speed. I would have been much better off at a G & L school the first three years of my high school experience, but then I wouldn't have met my "dahling" friend Dina. :) It should come down to what the students want for themselves. They should take a poll, or something.

This is ridiculous
They have crossed the line
A GLBT High School?

This is too far and will end badly

Interesting idea. I'm kind of torn--on the one hand, it's great to have a place where gay students are able to feel safe. On the other hand, maybe all schools should work on preventing bullying and creating a safe environment for all students, gay or straight.

This is such a hard issue. I really don't believe in segregating schools; separate is not equal and we should continue to mainstream alternate lifestyles and people who are being discriminated against. Having said that however, I can't image what it's like to be so hated and hassled at school because of my sexual orientation that I'd want to drop out because I fear for my safety.

Ultimately though, is separation the answer? Also, won't the gay haters and bashers just know that now they can go over to the "gay" school and hate on EVERYONE there? Hmmm.

No no NO.

This is retarded.
Segregation is not the answer.
Promoting social tolerance and acceptance is.
This will do absolutely nothing to prepare them for the real world.
If I could get through high school in Bumf*ck Georgia and come out okay, these little bastards can do it too.
What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger and better than the shallow-minded tools that harp on you because of your sexual orientation.
Life is just one giant high school - they'll have to deal with it sooner or later.

Here's an idea- Instead of segregating schools, which will only further divide students with different sexual orientations, use all that money to fund programs that promote understanding and acceptance.

Well said humdrum.

First of all, segregation will only breed more ignorance because it creates a BS sense of "us and them", tolerance stems from relating to others. Secondly, EVERYONE gets teased in high school, that's life, you deal with it, brush it off and move on.

How does this help? Segregation in High School will only make for worse problems in College.

I can almost feel Palin bristling from here.

Segregation, can we get more original?

I'm with tanyette. Seperate but equal? I thought we already disproved that one. I smell a reality t-v show.

apparently addressing the root cause of the social ills is no longer en vogue...teaching public school kids to be tolerant & drop all of the hateful & ignorant baggage that their parents made them carry isn't on the agenda.

woohoo!

yet another reason to be ashamed of the public school system here in chicago.

viva la apartheid!

what are they going to do with the bisexuals??????!!?!?!
now they have to choose a side :(

this is dumb.

As a homosexual, I love the straights in fact I need them! We learn a lot from each other.

If you had to choose between Education vs. Social Skills I would lean towards social skills because you will be communicating with diverse individuals but only if you want to be successful.

Come on people grow some thick skin!

Apparently the local School board will settle the moral question: Will it be segregation or exceptance and tolerance of LBGT students? Could this decision reset moral parameters for our entire country? Doubtful but I I suppose we'll see when "final" approval is determined by the School Board on Oct.22nd. Hope it's in favor of exceptance and the Board takes its responsibility of providing education in a safe and creative environment for all students seriously.

Would Spongebob Squarepants be the school mascot?

schools for gays?! what will they think of next? Schools for women only?!

I think too many of you are jumping the gun here. In the 60's, people of color didn't want to be excluded from mainstream schools. This situation with gy/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered people is not the same. They want to be able to go to school in a safe environment. The only way this would qualify as segregation is if they did not allow straight men and women to attend. Think of it the way historically Black colleges are run...people of ANY race can attend, but the majority just happens to be of African descent.

I think the proposal needs to be clear on where it stands so that people don't get the wrong idea. It would be interesting, though. I could imagine someone at a gay school being ostracized with the words, "You are so straight!"

separate but not equal.

You can not fixed social issues with segregation. This will only make it easier for homophobic people to view gay lesbian and transgender people as not human and worsen the problem down the road.

FAIL