The Hollis F. Price Middle College High School "outings" led the 6 PM and 10 PM broadcasts on WMC Channel 5 last night. I really admire the courage of the young students who have stepped forward to challenge their Principal, high school, and the city school system.
Twenty years ago, when I was in a student at White Station High School (a Memphis City School), I had the luxury of coming out at my own pace. The Principal at Hollis Price violated the privacy of these young men and created a hostile atmosphere in which they were verbally harrassed by teachers and students. I cannot imagine what they have experienced.
In February, I was horrified to hear about the Oxnard, California middle school student who was shot and killed by a fellow student because of his sexual orientation. Could something like this happen in Memphis? I hope and pray that the brave efforts of the students at Hollis Price will lead to policies that will prevent harrassment and violence toward GLBT students in the classroom.
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