Is Principal wrong in outing gay student?

[IDrinkaRum]

Most in small Pan-handle Floridian town support school principal over this

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 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.

[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? )

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.

[Arcade Man D]

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

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

[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, 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.