When Anti-Gay Bullying Goes Unchecked: A Student's Story

The boy's name is being withheld from the press, so we'll call him "David."  David attended Hudson Middle School in Southeast Michigan.  His parents are suing the school district for failing to protect their son...

When David was in the sixth grade, his classmates started calling him a faggot.  His status at the school had deteriorated after he tried to prevent a female student from tormenting another kid.  The girl slapped David.  A band teacher named Crystal Bough witnessed the incident and didn't report it to the principle.  Later that day in front of a classroom full of students, geography teacher John Redding ridiculed the boy, saying, "How does it feel to get beat up by a girl?"  All of the children in the room laughed.  All of them except David, who suddenly had a target on his back.

School officials did nothing.

Because of his lack of pubic hair, the older boys began calling David "Mr. Clean," along with their usual "faggot" and "queer" taunts.  Students broke into David's gym locker, removed his clothes and urinated on them.  They threw his tennis shoes in the toilet.  Gay slurs were written on his gym locker in shaving cream.  Later that spring two students plastered a Mr. Clean poster over David's other locker in the school's main hallway.  When the poster was removed, his classmates started writing "queer" and "faggot" on the locker, using permanent markers.  The locker was subsequently prised open, and obscene drawings were scrawled on the inside of the door, with phrases like "suck your mother's tits" and "you suck dicks."

School officials did nothing.

Each day David dreaded going to school.  Just the thought of attending class made him panicky.  His grades slipped.  He became depressed and uncommunicative.  But something even more shocking was about to happen...  (continued below)

Following a Friday night junior-varsity baseball practice, David was sexually assaulted by a fellow teammate in the locker room.  A student known in court documents as "LB" stripped naked, forced David into a corner, jumped on his shoulders, and rubbed his penis and scrotum on David's neck and face.  While the assault was occurring, another student blocked the exit to prevent the frightened boy from escaping.

The student who assaulted David was eventually expelled - but only after the baseball coach held a team meeting with David present where he told the students that they should "not joke around with guys who can't take a man joke."   (A man joke?  Apparently this was just another attempt by a faculty member to embarrass a student who was already being persecuted by his peers.)

Ed Brayton on ScienceBlogs has been covering the case:  A 6th Circuit Court of Appeals panel has ruled in favor of a student who claims that officials at Hudson middle school in Southeast Michigan were deliberately indifferent and failed to take any action to stop systemic harassment from other students - and even from at least one teacher...  The victim is so scarred by all of this that he can no longer set foot inside the school without panic attacks.  The case will now go back to the district court for a full trial on whether the school "failed to implement and enforce meaningful procedures to ensure compliance with federal law and the policies of [Hudson] and failed to ensure the proper education and training of staff as to harassment issues." ...Glenn Stutzky, an associate professor of social work at MSU, was an expert in this case...  He did tell us that bullying is a very serious problem in schools with extremely pernicious effects.  Stutzky noted that this ruling comes close on the heels of the failure of a bill in the Michigan legislature, Matt's Safe School Law, that would have required schools to have programs to deal with bullying.

And who do you suppose nixed that bill?  Why, those good "family values" lawmakers in the Wolverine State, of course!  It's sickening to think that right-wing Christians continue to rail against policies aimed at protecting LGBT students from bullying.  They claim that their religious freedom is more important than the well being of a victimized child.  They are so mired in their "homosexual agenda" hysteria that selfishness has replaced compassion, and egoistic paranoia has replaced love.  (And then they wonder why people don't go to church anymore.)

It's hard enough being a student these days.  Anything our legislators can do to prevent this sort of harrassment should be done.  Now.

Comments

[Maleia]

As a Christian, I think this is all horrible. Every single human being has a right to life, and the enjoyment thereof. No one deserves this kind of treatment. The emotional scars from situations like this or worse will certainly not help anything. We must be teaching our children about humanity, and that everyone deserves to be treated in a way that is not hurtful. I am, in no way, anti-gay. I know that's different that most people of my religion. I don't understand why other Christians, or anyone for that matter, would treat another human being this way. We should not need a law that protects homosexuals, because the law itself should be coming from our own hearts. Sadly, this is not the case. Our great religious leaders, Christ or any other, came to us with messages of love.

[Matt B]

I got bullied and called gay all through middle and high school because I was really into musical theatre. So what did I do?
Showed em up.
I started working out, joined the football team, kept doing everything I liked.
I did musicals, crew, choir, band, everything!
And I protected the kids that got made fun of.
I'm not looking for praise, i'm trying to inspire.
Kids are gonna be dicks unless they respect you, and sadly they only respect athleticism.
Don't stop living your life the way you want to, just do it while being fit!
Shut those guys up.

[Tali]

Matt I am glad thats the way you could express yourself but its not as easy for all kids to Just join the football team and do everything and some just to prove that they are worthy of being treated decently!

A person no matter what their ,gender, religion, sexual preference should be able to express themselves as they wish without bullying .

I think its disgusting that the school faculty did nothing about what was happening especially since they knew what was going on, the team coach should be fired!!! nobody deserves that type of treatment!!

[Max P.]

Good points, Tali. Children shouldn't have to work out or join the football team in order to prevent bullying by their classmates.

[Shadow]

I fail to understand why it is that people have issues with LGBT. I always considered myself to be a little bi, and I never told anyone really, because I knew how they'd react.
I'm now engaged to a man who's mother is very obviously against anyone who swings a little (because of her religion), and I can't help but find it rediculous of her fears.
Apparently, one of her friends when she was younger, is now a lesbian, and she finds it disturbing to look back on their younger years. She feels as though her friend was looking at her inappropriatly.
No offense anyone, but we liked you as a friend, not as dating material. Obviously we realize that you don't swing that way, so we never though of it that way.
Don't kid yourself into thinking that everyone has to like you.

[alienbinary]

I think you're missing the point, guys. This wasn't an act of bullying, this was a clear cut sexual assault premeditated by two individuals. They should be charged with sexual assault and conspiracy.

The coach involved should be fired for his involvement in what was clearly a group effort as clearly his involvement, while obvious, can't be proven in court.

It's not about bullying, it's about basic human rights.

[kara]

Obviously these children at the school have horrible parents. The whole school should draw some national attention about their lack of protection. We wonder why children end up suicidal or bring guns to school...THIS IS WHY. In high school, I had 2 boys mad at me and they peed in my locker. That in itself was extremely embarassing. Nobody chooses to be gay if this is the boys case...and this is WHY nobody chooses the lifestyle. I live in MI and am digusted by their behavior. Seems like even the teachers are responsible. These "adults" are raising your children. Does anybody else get that??

[Joe Peazy]

"And who do you suppose nixed that bill? Why, those good "family values" lawmakers in the Wolverine State, of course!"

actually michigan is a decidedly blue state. just because its a so called "fly-over" does not mean that it is home to nothing but right wing christians. please dont generalize when you clearly know very little about the socio-economic make up of michigan, especially the south eastern region.

[Amanda]

Joe Peazy - The story does NOT say that Michigan is a red state, or that only RW Xstians live there - it says that "family-values lawmakers" were responsible for the bill's failure. I live in Michigan and believe me homophobia is rampant here - especially in Lansing.

[Mike in Memphis]

It's not just homophobia. The faculty has a mandate to keep the kids safe. Anyone who fails in this should be be prosecuted. When I first read this, I thought, well, nothing a 9mm wouldn't solve (David holding the gun of course). Then I thought of the shitty things I did in middle school, and how dumb and intolerant I was. That some of David's tormentors will "grow up" is no comfort to David now though. I would bail on that school and pronto. If parents couldnt move, maybe an aunt or uncle in another city -- anything but a continuance of and likely worse scenario when high school starts. I feel for this kid.

[Dalma]

I am so disgusted and disheartened to hear that children are being treated this way, hate is taught, no one is born hating and in this case, the TEACHERS, taught the students that it's ok to discrimate against someone if they have a different sexual preference. I think the teachers involved should be fired, have their teaching licenses revoked and I also belive they should undergo emergency sensitivity training. "Man jokes" wtf, as opposed to what? this is just ridiculous! I hope this child realizes that not all educators are as insensitive or that all people are intolerant. but the main point here is that the kid was called gay for simply defending another student! if he would have slapped the twit hat slapped him, he wouldnt have been expelled, then what? he would have been able to go on and play "man games" with the other students? wtf are we teaching our kids today???????????????????

[rosa hoppelkaninchen]

you should have said AS A HUMAN, I think this is all horrible. What you said was: "As a Christian, I think this is all horrible". The disgust towards the occurances at that school should come from within yourself, and not have been taught by a sunday school teacher.

[Dr. Long Balls]

This is sad.

Rest easy, though, "David," all these buttholes tormenting you will probably be hooked on meth in no time. You'll get into a decent college and probably excel at the things you're into. You'll have a long and successful life and all those dill holes that fucked with you in high school will probably either be dead, alcoholics, or working at Walmart. Either way, they'll still be in fucking Michigan and you'll probably be far, far away from one of the saddest places on Earth.

It's probably hard to see it now, but things get much better. Just make good grades.

By the way, to the chick who said "as a Christian, I think this is horrible," as a human being, I think it's horrible that you Christians are a big contributor to the massive anti-gay movement in the United States. I'm sure that lame baseball coach has a prayer with all his athletes before each game. You wanna preach understanding, maybe lean over to the person next to you in church and spread that gospel to your own people. The rest of us are doing fine.

[Joe Blow]

Homosexuality is deviant behavior and a sin. It's no worse than any other sin although many would argue that it is more distasteful. Having said that, the school failed to protect this child. It was the school's ethical, moral, and legal obligation to see that this child was not discriminated against. The coach and the geography teacher should both be fired. David and his family should win a substantial settlement.

[Crisis chick]

Deviant from what? YOUR beliefs! Then you live by them, but dont expect others to do the same. Homosexuality is only a sin and deviance in the minds of those who believe it is. Please remember that it is a belief not a fact......just because YOU believe something does not make it so.

[Joe Blow]

Deviant from the laws of nature. It takes a male and a female to conceive a child. Anything outside of that is deviant.

[michele]

"Deviant from the laws of nature. It takes a male and a female to conceive a child. Anything outside of that is deviant."

Since life is not solely about conceiving a child, this makes no sense. In addition, it is your opinion. "Laws of nature" also include the FACT of evolution.

[Cory]

Um, can I point out that if I went down to the YMCA, took someone's clothes out of a locker and urinated on them, and then sexually assaulted one of the members, I would be IN JAIL. What the young men did was illegal. It seems ridiculous that we allow this to go on just because these people are under 18. In human cultures throughout history, boys become men at ten, twelve, etc, and are certainly considered morally responsible for their actions. To say that a 12 year old shouldn't be punished by our courts is just another example of the way we artificially drag out childhood to a ridiculous length, so much that "30 is the new 20." Our memory peaks at 18, as does physical strength, coordination, etc. Of course we gain knowledge as we get older but if you don't know that it's wrong to bully, intimidate, and assault a person who has done nothing wrong by the time you're 12, then we have no use for you in our society.

[Nate]

"Since life is not solely about conceiving a child, this makes no sense"

Actually, yes. From a biological and evolutionary standpoint, the only reason animals and organisms exist on this planet are to reproduce. That is our basic point to life. Now, you might get all front-brained about it and try to find out about where you fit in and what it all means, etc, but really...we're just here to make babies.

[Coyotero]

Joe Blow,

Hasn't it ever occurred to you that your ideas are not shared by everyone?

The notion of sin is erroneous in that it assumes and action can be judged solely on the action itself, and not its intent. You're so hung up on all these silly rules your zombie lord gave you that you can't recognize real human suffering. Besides, I thought you were told not to judge others, cast the first stone... I could go on...

[Shockeye]

I think after this amount of bullying, "David" needs to learn how to fire a gun.

[Jeret]

I call this a fake true story.I do believe things are screwed up when in junior high.There is more to this story than published,say what you want,but theres more than meets the eye.I could victimize my self too but....

[Mike]

Hey Hey Hey, ok we all have our beliefs and evolution isn't a fact. It's still never been completely proven. So don't make yourself look like a fool even though your going after one.

[@IAMTROYDAVIS]

There is more to life than making babies.

Your religious beliefs are yours, keep them to yourself. Evolution is scientifically observable - God isn't. God doesn't talk to you - MAN does. Put your faith in your dog; you can prove he is real.

How this topic has turned around to talk gays down is beyond me - and beyond disgusting.

Although I cringe at Shockeye's suggestion regarding firearms, I *do* recommend David start just kicking the living shit out of these bullys. I was bullied pretty seriously (and pretty regularly) through junior high school, and after sending a couple bully douchebags to the emergency room (and spending some in-school-suspension over it) the bullying stopped. Immediately.

[howard in kc]

If you read this story, WHERE IN IT DOES IT SAY THIS CHILD WAS GAY!!!!! I am not familiar with the actual story but this young man stood up to a girl who was making fun of another. Then she slapped him and he took the high road and did not reciprocate and from there the students just escalated their torture of this young man. I do agree the teachers should be held responsible but these students need to be held responsible also. I hope the young man gets the hell out of that city and starts his life over. Also why did this become an issue ABOUT Christianity?