Day of silence in schools

When teachers at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex School of Justice ask for participation in classes today, they will be met with silence from more than 900 students, more than half the school. The din that generally acts as background to high school life will be stilled, as the school marks a Day of Silence, an effort to bring attention to and stop bullying of gay and lesbian students at schools. Events will occur around the country today and Friday.

A student at left applauds a speaker talking about the protest at a school ceremony Thursday. The button honors Lawrence King, 15, who friends say had endured anti-gay taunts and slurs long before he was fatally shot and killed at his Oxnard school in February, allegedly by a 14-year-old classmate.

At the end of the ceremony, about 50 students from the school's Gay Straight Alliance placed black carnations on a coffin to symbolize the "death of homophobia."

Today, the participants plan to break their silence with an assembly. On Friday, students will see a preview of "Tru Loved." Cast members Jasmine Guy, Bruce Vilanch, Nichelle Nichols and Elaine Hendrix were among the speakers at Miguel Contreras on Thursday. Also there were officials from several organizations, including the Day of Silence sponsor, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

L.A. Unified School Board President Monica Garcia said she was inspired by the students and their efforts toward "a more just and humane world." The biggest cheers went to Lydia Castillo, a student at the school who organized today's protest.

-- Mary MacVean

Photos: Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Susan]

A few quick things: The term "homophobia" should not be used. People who are against homosexuality are not AFRAID of homosexuals ("PHOBIA" = "fear of"); they are simply agreeing with God that homosexuality is perversion and an abomination (see Leviticus 18:22, Genesis 19, Romans 1:27-28, Jude 7, 1 Corinthians 6:9, to name a few references to homosexuality and the permanent consequences). People that are supposedly homophobes just want homosexuals to stop their perversion and at the same time stop saying that there is nothing wrong with it. Repenting will lead to God's forgiveness, which any reasonable person should want . . . as opposed to damnation. ----Christians do not hate homosexuals or want them harmed or harassed in any way; they just want them to end the disgusting behavior. We have to reflect God's will in this matter and cannot go along with the crowd, just because society now "accepts" lesbianism and homosexuality. By the way, there's only one detestible sexual practice that society can now turn to to embrace: beastiality. Is that what we will say is OK next?

[Lucas]

Why is it that so many conservative Christians always make the leap from homosexuality to beastiality? It's ridiculous and ignorant to put the two in the same grouping.

[Rodney Gentry]

As the lead teacher of the School of Social Justice at the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, I am overwhelmed with pride by my students' orchestration of this year's Day of Silence protest. The young people have been working diligently to bring awareness of LGBTQ issues to our campus, and they are models of acceptance. I predict many of these students will be future leaders in not only the LGBTQ human rights movement, but other social justice causes as well.

I must say in closing, that our school was honored to have GLSEN, PFLAG, and GSA representatives; Tru Loved director and cast members; LAUSD representatives; and media on our campus yesterday to support our Day of Silence event. The work you all do on a day-to-day basis helps make our students' lives better, and we all thank you!

[Ruben]

It's the bible thumpers that have created such hate and intolerance in todays society. As much as the religious zeolots think homosexuals have a choice to not be who they are shows the level of ignorance.

[Mason]

Thanks Susan, I needed to find fallacies for an assignment and your comment was so loaded with them it made it easy.

[Tiffany]

Susan, your comments are vicious & hurtful, and perpetuate the cycle of abuse towards the LGBT community. How dare you quote scripture to substantiate your evil remarks, "only he who is free from sin shall cast stones". Sin is SIN in the eyes of God, and NO ONE is free from sin. So climb off your high horse, and join the rest of us!

[dharper]

I first must state that I am not a "bible thumping" right wing conservative Christian (although I would not condemn anyone who identifies himself as such).

What interests me is this scenario: Do you really believe that the School of Social Justice would allow a dissenting group to present a play called "Tru Loved" depicting the union of male and female as the natural order of mankind?It would get "shot down" in a New York minute.

As a previous poster stated, I do not wish any harm to any homosexual and he/she may live their lives as they see fit. However, I am getting increasingly tired of having their agenda thrown at me day after day and if I disagree with them I then become a biased person.

This project by this School for Social Justice is just another glaring example of the detioration of not only the public school system but society in general. There are no longer any absolutes for anything anymore and within 50-75 years our nation will become nothing more than another third world nation rampant with disease, poverty and ignorance. Should make all the "liberals" very pleased with themselves.

What a mess to leave to our great grandchildren.

[Eric Borsum]

As a gay parent, I commend the students and faculty of The School of Social Justice at the Miguel Contrerars Learning Complex for their work to make their school and our community a safer place for LGBT youth and their straight allies.

And as part of the creative team for the film TRU LOVED, I am honored to be a telling a story that so closely mirrors experiences of students observing Day of Silence. TRU LOVED tackles real topics faced by real families. The film provides youth, their families and friends with a safe opportunity to explore important issues.

Finally, shame on those who wish to inject poison and hate into this dialogue that is meant to recognize the accomplishments of the hundreds of students at this Los Angeles high school.

[MICHAEL]

dear dharper, if you look would take just a moment to look around you it is the conservative movement that is destroying thnings in this nation and on earth as a whole. Wake Up can't you see that our earth and lives are at stake. Why do you continue to follow conservative bs. Let me give you one example: conservatives say lets have less government yet they have ran up the national dept to over 3 trillion dollars.....Hello thats a T for trillion! Conservatives are nothing more than wolves in sheeps clothing and just love to stand behind the G-word

[m b]

First Mason Susans post was quite logical and full of facts from the veiw point of a christian conservative.

What was left out how ever was a couple over verses from Luke. Something about judge and be judged.

Fact of the matter is the school is in the wrong. They are once again trying to be the morals for a society instead of letting the parents teach their children morals.

Leave the teachings of morals to the parents. How about teaching something a little more important, like US History, or maybe even the english language.

[Ioana]

dharper:
"Do you really believe that the School of Social Justice would allow a dissenting group to present a play called "Tru Loved" depicting the union of male and female as the natural order of mankind?"

No, as you say, they would not. But the comparison is not valid. In one case, you are dictating what IS the natural order for all people--this is the "Adam-Eve" story we've grown up with; in the other, you are saying, end discrimination and let each choose his own path--or, in other words, you try and break the bonds of what you have been taught in mostly silent compliance.

One case is a constriction of independence, and a definition of what Morality and love is, the other is an admission of constriction and an attempt to break from bondage of what has always been taught but that does not take everyone's individualities into account.

As for your, "getting sick of people throwing this in your face", I think that is a perfect example of the ignorance everpresent in society today. How is your life made difficult by this? There is ONE day that celebrates this, articles in the newspaper that you can ignore, and so on. But on the other hand you have kids killed because they are gay, people living lives in fear of discrimination, etc.

I don't think you're the one who is hurting dharper.

[William]

This is fantastic! I love seeing young folks taking a stand on what they think is right - even if it doesn't mesh with what their parents or other peers think.

What always gets me about the folks who post comments like the couple above ("conservative christian types") is the ignorance that there is only one God or that we all believe in the same one, or that one exists, or that we want to deal with Him at all. A majority doesn't equal right which is why this Day of Silence is so important!

I agree with the previous poster - sin is sin, is sin is sin, and it doesn't matter which one or what kind, if you believe in a God that judges that sin, then you should concern your self with your own salvation and leave the rest of the world alone.

Bravo to the kids and the school officials and the groups that stood up and stood behind them!

[Stewart Wade]

I am the writer/director of "Tru Loved," and I was at the event on Thursday. Even after having made a movie that deals with issues of homophobia, I was tremendously moved by the efforts of these students. With so much bad news constantly in the media, it was refreshing to experience an event that gave me hope for the future. These kids really are leading the way towards a less hate-filled world.

[KR]

Susan, you continue to buy into the rhetoric and fail to do your own digging. You use the word "abomination," and yet do you understand the etymology and context of the word "toe'vah," as found in the source documents for the Old Testament? And do you realize that your I Corinthians 6:9 reference did not exist in its contemporary politicized form in Bible versions until the 20th century? The entire "christian" argument that members of the GLBT community are somehow a violation of God's will is predicated upon falsehood, upon statements that simply do not read as printed in most modern Bibles when you go back to the source documents, often the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is that ignorance - literally, being unaware of the truth of the matter - that is the entire reason that things like the Day of Silence are necessary. The word "homophobia" is quite accurate, as the entire rhetoric is the result of male fear. What you claim to be "the word of god" is meddlesome editing of ancient texts.

No person who uses the Bible as a vehicle for gay-bashing has seriously investigated the texts they cite. If they had, they would have gained the insight that those ancient documents are open to MASSIVE speculation, interpretation, and opinion. To accept them as patent literal truth, particularly in the profoundly mistranslated forms that Susan is quoting, is to perpetuate ignorance and weaken the true goals of Christianity.

There's nothing "christian" about persecuting others, Susan, and your desire for others to stop calling it fear only reveals it as the fear it truly is.

[Elaine Hendrix]

Let's not get sidetracked by the people who insist they know what is right and wrong and damn everyone else who don't follow accordingly.

Let's instead focus on the beauty and the power these youths are creating with their compassion and wisdom, and their complete rejection of violence as a solution to anything.

I don't care what your religious, political or sexual views are. A young boy was brutally murdered and his peers refuse to let people forget. In fact, they're going one step further to take tangible actions that it will never happen again. You'd have to be made of icy stone to not applaud their commitment to love and life.

[Bryan Erickson]

m b,
I am deeply perplexed by your comment on this event. I am a child of gay parents, I have four fathers, and I am in this film Tru Loved. What are you saying? These kids are living in a world where they are afraid to be themselves. I have seen it in the student body of both my own school and Miguel Contreras Learning Complex. Some parents need to understand that we are trying to figure ourselves out, think our own thoughts and we cannot have old hatred, segregation bleed into the mindset of kids now.
This is not about teachers being wrong, but about the parents needing to step back and let your children become self-sufficient adults. Let your kids make their own decisions. Be they anti or pro gays, whatever, I have no problem, just so long as these ideas and these thoughts are their own and not the deadly echoes of homophobia that their parents taught them was right.

We know what is wrong and right, let us become the leaders the world needs right now. You, m b, can learn a thing or two from the lessons these kids from Miguel Contreras are teaching.

[Antonio]

The kids who participated in the Day of Silence and organized these wonderful events are to be applauded for their drive, integrity, grace and maturity. It seems more often than not we are reading about negative activities on our school campuses and violence among our youth. Here is a shining example of hundreds of young people coming together to create a safe, supportive learning environment. That kind of news is a joy to read!!

[Bonnie Goodman]

But the true issue is respect for diversity. That's the message here. Nicely done.

[ohpuhleez]

I would hope that the school WOULD allow a play like that to be performed - a little something called free speech and equal time - maybe you've all heard of them?

But that's missing the point. No one is ever using the term "the natural order of things" to reference LGBT relationships, marriage, parenting, youth...it's just what is. It's not natural. It's not unnatural. It just IS.

So live and let live - stop the judgement, and good on this school for being such great role models for the next generation! I'm a mom and they've made me proud!!

[Thomas Aidan Bothwell]

As a recovering Californian (born and raised!) who will NEVER return to the state I was born in (oh yeah, as a white man that would be the state my ancestors stole from the indigenous natives and their oppressive Spanish overlords....much like everywhere else in history) I have to state that the following comments win the prize for complete and total idiocy:

"Let's instead focus on the beauty and the power these youths are creating with their compassion and wisdom, and their complete rejection of violence as a solution to anything. "

When's the last time you saw "youth" do anything positive? How about running the story of the youth who dressed his senile grandmother up as a gangster. You think these callow, inexperienced, intellectually incomplete children are "wise"? Spare me the fertilizer. I reside in an Asian society where children are now dumping their aged parents and grandparents so that they (the children) can pursue their own lives. We (the aged)were once respected, now reviled. And you wonder why birth rates are dropping? What child wants kids who will treat him or her like they treated their own parents.

"These kids really are leading the way towards a less hate-filled world."

Nah, seriously, whoever wrote this is missing the big picture. Human beings haven't stopped killing each other since Cain and Abel. Good luck to you post-Enlightenment liberals who think man is "perfectable". The continued existence of a military profession proves you all wrong.

"Thanks Susan, I needed to find fallacies for an assignment and your comment was so loaded with them it made it easy."

I'm not sure I saw any logical fallacies in what Susan said. I do think the poster of the above really needs to confront his or her own intellectual inadequacies before using words of two or more syllables. Oh yes, and do try to take a course in Logic.

And to the LA Times: Thank you for this article. It reminds me of why I will never return to California, and why I now join the rest of ther nation in cracking the "Gosh, I hope California falls into the Pacific Ocean jokes."

Cheers and hope the Big One hits you all soon.

Thomas Aidan Bothwell

[Michael]

Dear Susan,
MY God is gay-
and he is heterosexual, bisexual LOVING and INCLUDING. How sad that YOUR God is so BITTER and CONDEMMING.

[Will]

Day of Silence?? Ridiculous - if these homosexuals were devout in their beliefs, they would have a Day of Talk. This displays the fault in the whole foundation of a day promoting homosexuality. Would you have a day promoting alcoholism? (no, right?) Then why have a day promoting homosexuality? While I don't believe homosexuality should be illegal, I also don't believe it should be touted as a normal thing. It's not normal, and those unfortunate few who count themselves as homosexuals should recognize this and want to improve themselves. I fight against alcoholism every day - and so should those who suffer from homosexuality, pedophilia and drug addiction. Feh.

[Bec]

MICHAEL,
I am a conservative Christian. And you hate me for it. I did not choose this...my faith system is ingrained in me. Yet you hate me for who I am...you are no better.

BTW- my uncle was gay. In 1991 I watched him die the most hororific death to AIDS.

You are telling me that my way of life is wrong. While at the same time telling me that I do not have the right to tell others that what I think, all because of what I believe.

You are no better than that which you hate.

[Rebecca bicknell]

ok well i didnt no anything about it until i got on the bus and i was shocked how someone could do that to someone just because they were gay! i have friends that are gay and they know people dont like it but oh well it is there life let them live it their way!! My friends know that i go to church and belive in God and all of that but i dont acy any differnt around my gay and my reagular friends i belive that if they want to live their life that way then let them!

[Theresa Shell]

I am a firm believer in loving and respecting and accepting human beings for what kind of person they are and do not believe anyone should be defined by race, color, religion or whether they are gay, straight, bisexual or transexual. I am a true believer in human rights for ALL people. And, I am a true believer that judgment, if there is any that is anyone's right, is God's and that these issues are between God and the individual. As a 53 year old, straight, mother and grandmother, I applaud and endeavor daily to support and love my gay brothers and sisters and I welcome the love, joy and diversity they have brought into my life. It is not for me to interpret God's intentions, only he can do that. But I do know that God is a loving God and He created different. And, different is beautiful.

Theresa Shell
Burbank, California

[Theresa Shell]

I think what these young people have done shows great wisdom, energy and an effort to make a better, more loving and more understanding world. I think it's wonderful and I admire their actions more than I can say. They show more understanding, kindness and wisdom than their elders in this matter. The Bible quote I would like to use here is, "A little child shall lead them."

I applaud their actions and their efforts to love and accept their fellow man. God made different and I think different is a wonderful thing. Judge a man by his actions, not by his race, color, creed, religion or sexual identity.

Bravo for the event. How wonderful.

Theresa Shell
Burbank, CA

[R.J. Keller]

What happened to Lawrence King is disgusting and unconscionable, and I'm proud of these students.

Whether or not you think homosexuality is a sin is your choice, but SO beside the point here. A boy is dead. Grow a heart. Grow a conscience. Grow the hell up.

[Will]

Referring to Michael's remark:
"MY God is gay- and he is heterosexual, bisexual LOVING and INCLUDING. How sad that YOUR God is so BITTER and CONDEMMING. "

How wonderful that you're able to make up your own religion just because it feels good (it DOES feel good, doesn't it?). I'm surpirsed you're not wiccan.

ANYway, I'm an athiest, but even I can see the problem in creating a moral system just to satsfy your own pleasures. Want to shoot up? NO PROBLEM - create a loving god that allows you to do that. Want to have conjugal relations with an eight-year old? Step this way - THIS god will bless your efforts. Want to run a mulitnational corporation that drains it's workers and society of resources and benefits? You can make up something for that, too.

Even as an athiest, I can see there is black and white. Grow up and start standing up for YOURSELF - not your urges. Feh.

[kyle]

why does it mater what the sexuality of somebody is my girlfriend is bisexual and i'm o.k with that i don't see why its a BIG DEAL! i respect her and every other person

[sal]

This a good thing. This makes me happy to such tolerance...we, as a society, can learn a lot from this kids did...as for the people who use the bible to hide thier own prejudice. God is Love. God loves all that he/she has created.

[Gene]

Regardless of anyone's personal beliefs about homosexualtiy, there's another form of disrimination here:

Has the school conducted special observances for those who are taunted for being nerds, band geeks, fat, members of other races, or different in any other way??

No matter how badly some have been treated, they are just as guilty to focus the attention on themselves rather than protest that EVERYONE is not being treated equally.

[Robert]

Susan,
Your understanding of the word phobia is as limited as your understanding of scripture. Phobia only means fear in popular psychology. In other scientific reference it is closer to aversion or incompatibility. This very accurately describes your use of the words disgusting and perversion. Some Christians do interpret scripture in the way you do. Then again, others have interpreted it to support slavery in the past. I'll pray for your enlightenment.

[caerbannog]

Hey Susan,

Since you cited Genesis 19 in support of your anti-gay jihad, let's take a closer look at it, shall we?

5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

So Lot basically offered up his daughters as sex-toys to a bunch of strange men. Is that your idea of Christian morality? Are you so horrified by homosexuals that you would rather have them gang-rape your daughters than have relationships with other men?

And do you ever *read* your Bible? Or do you just wave it around?

[Daniel P. From Long Island, N.Y.]

Too many people equate Christianity with being opposed to embracing and accepting gay people. There is no unanimity amongst Christian denominations on this issue. The Episcopal Church has a gay bishop, and the United Church Of Christ allows gay clergy and gay marriage in the church.

Christ's message is one of universal LOVE.

"Judge not, lest you be judged." Matt 7:1

[JC]

I will pray for you ALL.

[Dan]

God made most of you straight. God made me transgender. Cope with it. besides. the Bible has been retranslated so many times by people with an agenda, who knows what the original said anymore.

[B.]

Day of Silence was not made to support LGBTs but instead was made to honor those who have been harmed for their beliefs.

All arguments for and against LGBTs are irrelevant to Day of Silence. Rather, take the silence as a respect for those who have been affected. Honor the silence not just because of the people involved, but also as a vow to stop violence against others also. Even if we cannot agree on beliefs, shouldn't we all have at least a common goal to make sure no one is harmed? Or is that against beliefs as well?

[ivette Martinez]

I am a current student of Miguel Contreras Learning Complex, and was a participant of the day of silence held at my school just yesterday April 24th 2008.

I was really thrilled to see the cast members of the movie "Tru Loved," and to see the support of my other classmates, that support this movement, i was really honored to be part of this movement and im looking forward on the next day of silence.

I'm planning on supporting all my friends and/or other people that are in GSA.

Like My mom always said "who are we to judge others when we are not perfect ourselves."

I would like to acknoledge all the Teachers, staff and students that were part of this movement...

And to Mr. Gentry that did a terrific job, on telling us what to do to make this assembly the best one yet!, and to Mrs. Kawaye for being there...
Thank you.

[Carolyn Laub]

I want to congratulate all of the students at MCLC for their courage to participate in the Day of Silence, along with the thousands of youth across the country who joined them today. Students in Gay-Straight Alliance clubs are leading a movement to make schools safer. Their voices for justice are being heard loud and clear! They should be applauded for their leadership and willingness to stand strong in the face of the daily harassment and violence that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students face in schools every day.

Bryan was right when he said that we need these youth to lead our world...right now. I am glad that so many students have such a compassionate vision for schools and families and communities that accept everyone and embrace our differences. That's the world I want to live in.

I'm the founder of GSA Network, and we were very proud to be part of the Day of Silence at MCLC this year. And we are equally proud to be a partner in the TRU LOVED film, which also carries this important message of acceptance!

[Angela]

As a student of Miguel Contreras Learning Complex i believe that the Day of Silence brings great awareness to anyone who is LGBTQ. this recognizes many students who are harassed or made fun of just because of their choose of sex.
Love has no boundaries. When will people recognize that?!
at 17 years old i know im entitled to my own opinion so why are people questioning our motives to establishing the day of silence in our school? this shouldnt be any concern to anyone. If you dont like the fact that WE DO WANT TO MAKE A CHANGE in the way society looks at LGBTQ people. I believe my school IS making a difference with making students accept the way they are and bringing self-confidence to the highest extent.

Thank you For taking time to read this.

[Christa]

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." And how about "Thou shalt not kill." Homosexuality is not a crime. Murder is. How dare anyone take it upon themselves to end a life? Hitler decided to murder Jewish people because he felt they were beneath him. This crime is just as heinous.

I give mad props to these students for standing up for their beliefs in HUMAN RIGHTS. Not gay rights or straigt rights, or liberal rights or conservative rights. But the right of a human being to exist. The very foundation of our country was based upon the right to LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. Nowhere does this say "except for gays" or "except for women" or "except for African-Americans". Those rights are inalienable and for all people.

I feel sad for people who are so miserable and lacking in love in their hearts and lives that they must drag others down with them. Hopefully, other kids will learn from this shining example and refuse to accept hate of any kind in their lives.

Civilization blossoms through growth and our world could use more thought, love and strength like we were shown today. Thank you Miguel Contreras Learning Complex. Thank you for standing up for HUMAN RIGHTS!

[Nichole A.]

I am student at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex and I am also part of the School of Social Justice and a member of the Gay-Straight Alliance at MCLC. And all I can say that as a Senior I was able to attend the Day of Silence Assembly and like what Rodney Genrty wrote, I am also proud of what we all have managed to accomplish.

I have a little sister and I pray to God that she doesn't have to see and hear such discriminiation in the world as I have. I have seen and experience things that I don't want her to face. And here we have people talking about God.

God, politics and sexuality do NOT mix! When is the day gonna come when we leave God/religion out of the bloody conversation?

[Gary Grossman]

dharper wrote:
"However, I am getting increasingly tired of having their agenda thrown at me day after day and if I disagree with them I then become a biased person."

dharper appears not to have read the second paragraph of the story:
"... The button honors Lawrence King, 15, who friends say had endured anti-gay taunts and slurs long before he was fatally shot and killed at his Oxnard school in February, allegedly by a 14-year-old classmate."

dharper, imagine how tired you would be of enduring taunts and slurs for not being of the officially mandated sexual orientation. Imagine how tired you would be of being frightened of being literally persecuted to death for it. You might yourself come up with the "agenda" of asking to be left alone to be what you are.

[Jaimie Calderon]

As vice president of the School of Social Justice I would like to say that the negative comments on this page are the reason we even have to have assemblies to teach acceptance.

If you are not afraid of the LGBTQ community or do not care what happens to them then why spend 15 minutes of your life writing an ignorant statement claming you are "getting increasingly tired of having their agenda thrown at [you] day after day and if [you] disagree with them [you] then become a biased person."

The reason we even have to do this is because the LGBTQ community does not get the same liberties as a straight person would if America were to remain in the hands of Right wing conservatives then you would not even have an earth to hate people on because they only worry about getting things the way Jesus would want them.

The Europeans believed they were made by god to conquer and destroy cultures why is that every time people persecute one another they use God as a scapegoat.

I am proud to be in the GSA and a straight ally to my friends. Nothing will stop my friends and I from being the change that needs to happen in order to have a society were people’s efforts to bring consciousness is not called an abomination instead they are praised for their concern .

I would like to congratulate everyone who helped make this years event the best Day of Silence yet.
And Mr. Gentry if you read this the assume that I was insulted by the amount of ignorance in the world.

[Teacher at MCLC]

As a teacher at the MCLC School of Social Justice who happens to be a religious person, I am disturbed at some of the religious comments in this thread on both sides of this issue. They demonstrate intolerance for religious beliefs and an ignorance of religious principles. In point of fact, there is no greater friend to Social Justice than the religious community. I googled Social Justice once, and I estimate that 60 to 70% of the listings were religious organizations whose mission is Social Justice. As the mission of the Day of Silence is to end harassment and bullying, I can imagine no religious organization from the liberal to the center-right that would have an objection to it.

I suppose I should blame Susan for bringing religion into this, but lets begin with this: It is NOT true that “a sin is a sin.” There are gradations of evil. Jews believe that it is sinful to eat a cheeseburger. You cannot believe that to eat a cheeseburger is on the same level as committing murder! Neither is the punishment for each sin the same. Gandhi was very clever when he said that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth makes society half-blind and toothless. But much as we may admire him, he was wrong on this one. When societies punish theft with cutting off of the thief’s hand, when they stone people for adultery and when they burn a widow for the sin of surviving her husband, “an eye for an eye” becomes an admonition to make punishment proportional. It is, then, a commandment for mercy, not vengeance.

While it is true that translations may lead us awry, the original sources are out there. You will need to learn ancient Hebrew, Aramaic as well as Greek and Latin, but no worries. For most purposes, any good translation will do. And although even the King James Version has translation errors (The Ten Commandments say “Thou shall not MURDER,” not “Thou shall not kill.”) it should not impair your perusal unless you are getting to a really technical point. In that case, in this day and age, it is easy enough to research any particular word you find problematic. But please, as with anything in the Internet, consider your source.

Then there is the issue of Lot. It is problematic why Lot offered up his daughters to the men who practically broke down his door to get to know his guests. But you miss the point of the story. The two cities were not destroyed just because of the homosexuality. These people were also promiscuous and violent (their intent was to rape the guests). It is all of this wickedness for which the cities were destroyed. Perhaps the storyteller threw the daughters in just to emphasize how wicked they were. If the intent was to merely portray homosexuality as evil, they would have filled the cities with peaceful, monogamous homosexual couples and it would have said, “For this reason these cities were destroyed.”

Finally, I recognize some of the students who have posted on this thread. I know these to be fine students (although Mr. Gentry needs to help some with their grammar). A number of other students (in almost every school, I’m sure) may know that an act is wrong, only it isn’t really wrong if you don’t get caught. Many teenagers would be well served by a sense that everything they do is seen by some power. If it is wrong, it is wrong even if you don’t get caught. I would not presume to preach to them. I would never proselytize to anyone. State law even prevents me from telling students what I have written here (so if you are an MCLC student, don’t read this). Nevertheless, I am saddened when I see that students think religion is the enemy, rather than ignorance, intolerance, and hatred.

[Marta A.]

I am a student in Miguel Contreras and I think that the day of silence is kool... Sure whatever there are some of you who don't see the point but we do because we understand those who aren't able to speak out and let out what they have inside. I am straight but I don't see anything wrong with a straight person trying to help people who are LGBTQ. It's actually something good because in my case it makes me feel that I am actually helping out someone out there who needs their voice to be heard but don't have the guts to actually do it...
So thanks to all who support us... And one more thing please don't mess religion with this it has nothing to do with it, God loves all of us for who we are because he created us. =)

[Daniel P. From Long Island, N.Y.]

Christa said: "...The very foundation of our country was based upon the right to LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. Nowhere does this say "except for gays" or "except for women" or "except for African-Americans". Those rights are inalienable and for all people."

I AGREE with you 100 %. I wish all Americans did.

[jaytee]

Thank you so much for being brave and standing up for those who cannot.

[LR]

The use of religion as a bludgeon by "conservatives" is unending, as demonstrated by the ridiculous number of religion-based comments on this post. The Day of Silence has nothing to do with religion - equal treatment and respect for others, regardless of their differences, is the topic at hand.

[Glenn Miya]

The real tragedy is that two teenagers are gone: one shot in the head and, the other—who had a promising future—is bound for prison. We are diminished by their loss. We need more than one day of silence to develop solutions to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Tru Loved is an example of a solution.

[joe]

Tolerance should be universal, except for murder. It's a shame that intolerance seems to rule the lives of otherwise good people. Whatever your reason for justifying your intolerance (religion, personal bias, etc.), both the world and you would be better off if you could "cast it aside" and embrace others. Let others make their own choices, and don't murder and/or hurt them because they're different.

[m]

To the original poster who feels same sex is 'wrong,' because they believe "their" bible says so, no problem. You can keep on avoiding same sex. But you can't then pick and choose to ignore the larger lessons from your tradition. To love thine neighbor as thyself. And to not murder. The Day of Silence expresses a plea to observe these central Christian tenets and shows these students to have learned their morality better than the misguided and fearful poster. .

[Adrian B]

Hi I am an 18 year old conservative christian boy. i watched quite a few of my friends participate in the day of silence on friday and I must say I don't begrudge them at all. My stand is one that I shared with many of them. I have no problem with gays or lesbians, yet I do still believe the bible says it is a sin, and an abomination. One argument that I heard/read (most of them were writing things down to hold converstions, which I think defeats the purpose) was the comeback that God loves everyone and he tells Christians to do the same. Now I would be lying out my teeth if I said I wasn't unhappy that people were taking the Bible which I believe to be the word of God and twisting it for their own means. But yes I will say God does love everyone and he does want us to do the same so that we can be examples to the rest of the world. This doesn't however excuse those who chose to continue this abomination to God's will and design of a man and a woman being joined together in love to raise their family and further society. Yes god forgives everyone of their sins but in that lies the biggest problem. In order to gain that forgiveness you must accept that you have done something wrong which is something these Gay rights Idiots wont do yet they see fit to twist what i believe to try and use it for their own protection. So no I do not support Gay rights but I do not Hate gay people by any means.
I just thought I'd give you a bit of an actual highschoolers point of view.

[pepe]

i would like to congratulate the students, staff, community members, teachers, and families that came together to build awareness and conversation on this important issue. as a queer xicano, activist, professor, and feminist, i am inspired to continue my work in the various spaces i navigate on a day to day basis. i commend the bravery of the participants to defend human rights as it affects various historically underrepresented groups. thanks for your organizing...it is so important in today's society.

[haygis]

There are many versions of "God" that humans have come up with, many immoral acts committed in the name of a "God". Many innocent lives raped, stolen, murdered by the people who claim these "Gods" as their moral compasses and highest authority.

I think that a "God's" worthiness and reality can only be determined by the kind of behavior it elicits in its followers.

The Christian "God" has been responsible for more perversions committed upon humankind than any other organized religion in the written history of the world.

You are hardly in a position to preach about what is moral or immoral behavior; like your "Jesus" sauid: let him who has not committed sin cast the first stone.

The highest morality any human being can achieve is pure, unselfish love....lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people have more than achieved pure, unselfish love. They have epitomized it.

May your "Gods" have mercy on your dark hearts and judgmental souls.

Haygis

[haygis]

There is no such thing as "gay rights"....there are only "human rights".

LGBT2Q people have existed in the world since the beginning of its creation and in every culture there is a different opinion of them. In many cultures, LGBT2Q people are viewed as being close to the Creator because the epitomize spiritual harmony and balance between male and female, the physical world and the spiritual world.

Western religion is only one culturally-based opinion on The Right Way To Live. There are other culturally-based ways that do this better and more respectfully.

Your Old Testament Bible promotes hatred, punishment, torture, rape, incest, murder, woman beating & ownership, slavery, and persecution of every other person who does not believe in your God.

How moral is that?

Why should I or anyone else respect that?

What kind of God behaves like a tyrant and desecrates its own sacred Creations?

Actions speak louder than words, and the hatred of your savage God is not worthy of worship, loyalty or respect.

Haygis