School News

Is it the role of our education system to uphold so-called "moral" standards on the student body, or should our schools be opening, places of education and learning, regardless of sexuality, gender identity, race, etc?
Here are some event that have affected the schools at various levels.

The administration at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Mississippi has decided to cancel senior prom instead of allowing Constance McMillen, a highschool student, to bring a same-sex date to the prom.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1257354/Constance-McMillen-School-bans-prom-lesbian-student-asks-girlfriend--wear-tuxedo.html

Virginia's attorney general, Ken Cuccinelli, has dismayed students and faculty at universities and colleges in Virginia by telling administrators to remove policies that prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation. I guess this means Ann Coulter can finally speak at a university without committing any hate crimes.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/05/AR2010030501582.html

The LGBT centre at the University of California at Davis has been vandalized with homophobic statements. This is just one of many incidents that have been occurring at this traditionally, socially liberal school.
http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-news-daviscenter,0,2002090.story

On a side note, State Senator Roy Ashburn has admitted to being homosexual. He has a history of voting against gay rights issues, and claims his voting record reflects the will of his constituents.
http://www.bakersfield.com/news_alerts/x1543187857/Roy-Ashburn-I-am-gay?utm_source=widget_16&utm_medium=popular_entries_widget&utm_campaign=synapse

Are you happy that the Health Care bill has passed in the United States? Not surprisingly, the bill leaves out homosexual people. Here's some more information.
http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=4915

Amidst all the problems with child abuse, the Catholic church has hit another controversy, this time with a little swish. Angelo Balducci, a Gentleman of His Holiness has been caught arranging with a chorister to have men brought to him for intimate encounters. First we seen porn in Uganda church, now a gay sex ring in the Vatican...next we'll find out Jesus is gay! (Elton John already thinks so).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/05/vatican-hit-by-gay-sex-sc_n_486218.html

Next, a gay man has been jailed for 'reckless HIV transmission', the first such case in the UK. The implications of this are multifaceted. How much of the responsibility falls on a potential 'victim' when it comes to HIV transmission?
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/02/16/gay-man-jailed-for-reckless-hiv-transmission/#

Lastly, two enlightening stories on the life of homosexuals in China and in Uganda. We're pretty lucky in Vancouver, BC...but we can't stop here!
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1969667,00.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-02-21-gays-China-closeted_N.htm

Till the next time,
Chris L