15:54 & 28.07.03
Wound up

NEW YORK, July 28 � New York City is creating the nation�s first public high school for gays, bisexuals and transgender students.The Harvey Milk High School will enroll about 100 students and open in a newly renovated building in the fall. It is named after San Francisco�s first openly gay city supervisor, who was assassinated in 1978.

�I THINK EVERYBODY feels that it�s a good idea because some of the kids who are gays and lesbians have been constantly harassed and beaten in other schools,� Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday. �It lets them get an education without having to worry.�

The school is an expansion of a two-classroom public school program that began in 1984. A gay-rights youth advocacy group, the Hetrick-Martin Institute, has managed and financed the program since its inception.

The new school�s principal, William Salzman, said the school will be academically challenging and will follow mandatory English and math programs. It also will specialize in computer technology, arts and culinary arts.

State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long criticized the creation of the school.

�Is there a different way to teach homosexuals? Is there gay math? This is wrong,� Long said. �There�s no reason these children should be treated separately.�

The Hetrick-Martin Institute�s Web site says the school will give its students �an opportunity to obtain a secondary education in a safe and supportive environment. ... We believe that success requires the ability to respect and value the diverse human community.�

In my humble opinion, I think it is a great idea! Hell, if I had a public high school for gays in my town, I probably would have came out a lot sooner. People don't know what it's like living in that dark closet and constantly worrying if people are going to find out about your deep dark secret. If you go to a school where everyone can relate to your problems, I would be more prone to learning and I would feel so much more comfortable working on my studies. We don't need a different kind of studying technique, we need freedom and less conflict in public schools. More people need to come out sooner than later before they drive themselves into a deep depression!!

forget the past <----> there is no future