A first, when a friend from my hometown posted a letter she’d written to a TN senator about the “Don’t Say Gay” bill on her blog, I thought it was going in a whole other direction.
I figured it would be about the PSA campaign to not say something was “gay” as a synonym for stupid, as in this NBA commercial and one with Wanda Sykes (which I like, though her voice sound pretty grating).
Instead, it was about a bill that Tennessee Sen. Stacey Campfield, a man who the Huffington Post claims ” spearheaded Tennessee’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill — which would ban discussion in schools of “sexual orientation other than heterosexuality“.
The article states he also compares homosexuality to bestiality and stated that it was “virtually impossible to contract AIDS through heterosexual sex”.
You can hear the whole interview with the senator here. In the spirit of full disclosure, know that
- The senator is a Republican
- The interview and article is by Michelangelo Signorile, is Editor-at-Large of Huffington Post Gay Voices.
What are your opinions? Where do you see bias, if any? Does this affect/effect Tennesseans or people’s view of us?
I Know, They Made You Take This Class 
Ok, first of all, its ok to talk about straights, but not gays? So if we don’t admit they exist, then they don’t?
Second, my cousins and I all grew up saying “ur so gay!” “that’s so gay!” “stop being so gay!”
I haven’t said it in forever, I wonder if they still do…
First, I must say I am not prejudice against gays. I have a few friends that are and they are just like anyone else (except for their preference and I don’t care what that is).
As a father to a daughter in school fast approaching the grades where all the subjects in life (being sexual, drugs, pregnancy, etc) are all going to be discussed, we as parents need to prepare them regardless of the teacher. Their peers will do most of the talking, having a source at school to allow them to gain the true knowledge they are seeking is what they need but with limitations. My child’s academic knowledge has nothing to do with “bedroom” knowledge.
They discuss heterosexuality for reproduction purpose and possible consequences to being a young parent only. If they go any further than that, I will go and personally have a discussion with the instructor, principal, school board and channel five news. If ever a teacher pushes their views on my child, regardless the topic, I would be upset (to say it lightly). Awareness needs to be discussed, personal views do not. I knew teachers that did drugs while in school but they did not go around stating their opinions. I knew teachers that were prejudice against blacks but again they did not share their views. Religion was taken out of school due to no one pushing their views on anyone else. Are we going to start discussions with 6th graders about abortion next?
Homosexuality can be summed up in a very short sweet statement that does not need detail given. It does not need to be “discussed” per say but let know it is out there and a personal choice that can be made without bias opinion. Knowing about drugs, prejudism, heterosexuality, pregnancy, gays, and all the other subjective topics can be provided with tact and an unbiased opinion. The topics above, except homosexuality, have been discussed and looked over for years. Not to say discussing homosexuality is comparable to drugs or prejudism but it is a topic that does not need to be addressed “in detail”. That is what the councilors are for, personal topics and concerns.
If any prejudism is given in school, on any topic, teachers need to interject to provide a safe environment for all students.The question is do the teachers have the ability to do this. I do not believe that most do. I know a lot of teachers that are afraid of students. Those students AND PARENTS OF THOSE STUDENTS need to be addressed in the proper manner. Each (parents and student) should have to sit in a state mandatory class 9 weeks long giving up their free time learning why prejudism (or other problem addressed) is not socially acceptable (make sure they have to write essays and provide community service for the ones that were persecuted).
Both parties in the interview suggested bias opinions. The senator is against gays being discussed while the host is for it. My statement is; besides a short sweet statement, if at all, why is this even an issue? Why are my tax dollars being spent so this senator can express his wants and prejudice opinion? He should be reprimanded for such an absurd bill that should not waste any of our time. Fix our budget, then waste time on topics that do not hold as much importance.
This does affect Tennesseans in many ways. This is not the views of all Tennesseans and this bill being passed would make it seem Tennessee is a non-gay friendly state. Lost revenue from potential residents or current residents moving, wasting time on a personal choice matter when others pressing matters are at hand, and showing ignorance of what one man in power can do (lucky for us, he represents us).
Government, stay out of our bedrooms unless you want to join in. If you can teach me some new tricks, then come show me.
Moises (Daniel) Rodriguez
This case will probable cause problems in the future. I was raised in a Christian home and i pastor at my church as well but i can’t ignore the fact there are people that think differently. I personally agree with the bill (im not stating that im against gays). I think that schools should just focus on showing our kids math, science, english, etc. School board and government should not be deciding these topics, thats the responsibility of the parents or gaurdians. You are what you see at home not so much what they teach at school.
I believe the law that was passed is not right at all, and that children in grade school should be allowed to talk to a counselor or teacher about his sexuality and probably confusion. They probably can’t talk to their parents about it, and this could really confuse and depress a child. Being gay isn’t a choice, it’s something that you can’t control. This law is taking away a child’s right to freedom of speech.
The controversy over this bill is a bit silly. Sure, in the later grades, when the onset of puberty gets the kids pondering sexuality, it might make a very small impact, but for the most part children shouldn’t be having these kind of conversations with their teachers anyway. A teacher shouldn’t be explaining anything of a sexual nature to children of the ages specified in the bill, homosexual or otherwise. Besides, what would the student be curious about? If it’s how two people of the same gender could love one another, then they’re probably too young to grasp why there’s any argument over the subject. If they’re curious about the physical aspect of the whole thing, then they are far too young to be filled in on any of the details. Give the youth of today some credit, I would guess most of them already have a pretty good understanding of how everything works in that regard. If a student is truly confused and seeking guidance, then they should see a counselor or ask a parent, not a teacher.
I believe that people are taking those words way too seriously. People are just joking around, but those few just don’t understand that I guess. Honestly if people see those few that get all worked up about the usage of “The gay word” it will just nag people on and on to say it more.
I think that if students have questions about homosexuality that the teachers should be aloud to talk about it. It is a part of life in this day in age and if you are going to talk about the risks of heterosexual people you should have to talk about the other side of the coin too. Talking about homosexual will not make someone gay but it could help someone make a better informed decisson.
Reallyyy??!! lol I don’t really have a dog in the hunt because I had the best education of all… I was homeschooled!! Which was helpful because when I needed to talk to my dad about ‘Birds and the Bees’ stuff, he was there. This is a great bill because it quietly emphasizes the importance of the parents to be available to talk to their child about matters like this, and not leave it to the government to tell your child all about a gift that God has given us: Marriage and sex, which should be done in marriage. We have taken things like sex, and corrupted it by using it for our own glory and pleasure, and not as a great and sacred thing God has given us.
Its stupid to ban “gay discussions”. How are you going to avoid topics we face everyday in everyday life? And saying, “thats gay!” is an expression that can offend someone. its all about how you grew up.
Misty Kuhns from speech comm 1010 online course. Of course this makes Tennessee look bad.There was actually a kid in high school who claimed to be gay and bullied that he committed suicide in the 9th grade, I believe that if you don’t agree with it, that’s okay, but keep it to yourself. This is America, land of the free! However, was the story made into a bigger deal than it actually was because of the certain editor? There are always 2 sides to a story, so both the editor and senator could have been in the wrong.