Suicide surge: Schools confront anti-gay bullying

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39593311/ns/us_news-life and http://www.change.org/petitions/ask_the_anoka-hennepin_school_board_to_re-evaluate_neutrality_policy_on_sexual_orientation

This news article talks about suicides that occurred over the past year. One suicide that was discussed in the article was the suicide of Justin Aaberg who went to Anoka-Hennepin. His friends told his mother that he was the frequent target of bullies whom mocked his sexual orientation.  Five other students also committed suicide in the past year and it's possible that anti-gay bullying may have played a role.


The Anoka-Hennepin school district has something called neutrality. The policy states:
"Anoka-Hennepin staff, in the course of their professional duties, shall remain neutral on matters regarding sexual orientation including but not limited to student led discussions. If and when staff address sexual orientation, it is important that staff do so in a respectful manner that is age-appropriate, factual, and pertinent to the relevant curriculum."

Justin's mother, Tammy, was upset to find out about the school's policy.
For those of you who have never had a gay child, you need to know that it is one of the scariest things to learn, because you know that they will need to deal with a lot of criticism and harassment in their lives, and it makes you worried," Aaberg said. "Unfortunately, I didn't learn of this unfair school sexuality policy until after Justin died ... my question to you is what about my parental rights to have my gay son go to school, without being bullied?"

I have to agree with Justin's mother, Tammy. There must be more done and the topic of GLBT should not be a neutral topic in schools. It should not be shyed away from and it should be discussed. Another life should not have to be lost because of anti-gay bullying. If individuals remain neutral on the matter and another student commits suicide because they were being bullied due to their sexual orientation then it almost is saying that it's okay to bully and it definitely is not. We need to teach our students to accept others no matter what.