Gay-Straight Alliance

Many people mess with others about their sexual orientation. As if there aren't other things to mess with people over. I completely disagree with bullying, over any matter. But most people are blind. A majority of society are blind to the fact that it is wrong to mess with people. To show awareness, I think a "Gay-Straight Alliance" club should be introduced to schools. Regardless of what the principle thinks. School is not about the principal, it's about the students learning, or at least it should be. It could do a lot to any community and any school.

Number one way that people offend others with different sexual orientation is saying the word "gay" as if it's a bad thing. Some people even use the word "straight" in a good way. For Instance, when someone is offered something they may say "I'm straight" as a way to say "I'm good". It has become daily vernacular to say the word gay to describe something strange, weird, out-of-the-ordinary, or even bad. Next time you are about to say "that's gay" try to put yourself in the shoes of someone who might be offended by that. Remember that old saying "think before you act"? Yeah. Use it once in a while.

Highschoolers who are Lesbian, Gay, Bi, or Transgendered are, I believe, the number one group of people who are bullied day to day for their sexual orientation. Daily, they hear derogatory remarks about their sexual orientation. I believe there are four types of people in this area. There are those who bully, those who are bullied, those who just stand by and watch, and those who actually do something to stop it. In my opinion, those who stand by and watch are just as bad as those who bully. Why stand and watch when you can actually do something? This club can actually make a difference in schools. This club can be a combination of those who help and those who are LGBT.

Bullying is more than just words to make people cry or feel self-conscious. They cause more issues than just that. Okay, Story time. Justin Aaberg, age 15, hung himself in his room in July, 2010. Why? His friends say he was a target of bullying due to his sexual orientation. This is proof that bullying is too important to just leave alone for teens to deal with. They may have anti-bullying clubs at school, but is it enough?

Gay-Straight Alliance is definitely a need at every school. Anti-bullying clubs may help a little but have they tried to make the word "gay" considered as profanity? If so, is it even enforced? Do they help support teens in their sexual orientation? Does it allow LGBT's and straights to come together to show that people do not need to hide in shame of their orientation? Not in my eyes. They need a club specially designed to meet these needs.