Corona Del Mar High Sued for Homophobia

I recently looked at the turmoil at Corona Del Mar High School where the production of "Rent" had been cancelled due to the gay content. While the principal subsequently backtracked and allowed the play to be performed, it seems that the anti-gay mentality evidenced by that principal's initial action was just the tip of the iceberg as to what sounds to be rampant homophobia at the school. Sadly, it's a mentality all too typical in schools across the country from California to Granby High School in Norfolk where the production of a student written play with a gay theme had to be performed off-site from the school campus. I blame alleged Christians, Mormons and others who constantly denigrate gays and depict us as a threat to "the family" and other such lies for the poisonous atmosphere that prevails across so much of the country. The brazenness, however, of some of the open homophobia at Carona Del Mar is a bit shocking. Here are some highlights from KABC-TV in Los Angeles:

*

CORONA DEL MAR, Calif. (KABC) -- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is suing Corona Del Mar High School officials for allegedly fostering what it calls a "sexist" and "homophobic" atmosphere. . . . A culture of sexist hostilities is alleged by a Corona Del Mar High School student, a female homosexual. The ACLU gives her the pseudonym "Mary" in the 36-page complaint. The suit describes the discovery "Mary" made on the on the social network Facebook. Three football players appear in a 17-minute video. A copy is now in the hands of the Newport Beach Police Department.

*

ACLU attorney Hector Villagra has seen it too. "The deal itself contains a string of homophobic slurs," said Villagra. "We have talked to students who say that homophobic slurs are heard routinely in classrooms and school hallways within earshot of teachers and nothing happens. We have heard from students that some of the school's coaches routinely use homophobic slurs in an attempt to berate and motivate student athletes."

*
There is a threat that one boy wants "deliberately kill her," and another speaks of raping her. More disturbing than the words, says the attorney, is the boys' demeanor. "The fact that these boys would publish or broadcast their homophobia, they said they knew everyone was going to see it," said Villagra. "They were happy about it. They were giggling about it."

*

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District released a statement: "These allegations are very serious and the District will utilize its best efforts to ascertain the truth of these matters, as well as to be sure there are procedures in place to allow prompt resolution of any and all disputes regarding discrimination and harassment."

*

"Mary" has decided that this area, this place, this school, was too scary for her. She's afraid of running into some of those boys so she has arranged for independent study and now is only on campus for eight hours a week.

*

No student should have to live in fear or suffer abusive behavior, yet situations like this one are one of the fruits of the Christianist anti-gay jihad. I hope James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Peter LaBarbera, Don Wildmon and other such "Christians" are pleased with their hate-filled handiwork. I find them evil and disgusting.