First Day Of School
By Keith Boykin, in sexuality
Monday, September 8 2003, 11:55AM
Hundreds of demonstrators came out this morning to show their support for students on the first day of the year at the Harvey Milk High School. The demonstrators came out in response to a protest arranged by antigay activist Fred Phelps. By the time classes started, the small band of protesters picketing the school was outnumbered and out yelled by the huge throng of supporters.
In a scene reminiscent of the integration of Little Rock's Central High School in September 1957, students coming to class this morning at Harvey Milk High School had to walk through a phalanx of police, media, supporters and detractors on the way to school.
David Mensah, executive director of the Hetrick-Martin Institute that runs the 18-year-old school, said "this is the first year we have ever had an opening day welcome like this." Speaking at a sidewalk press conference outside the school, Mensah said "young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment where they can reach their potential."
Mensah answered critics who complain that the school does not prepare LGBT youth for the real world. "In an ideal world, the students we serve would be safely integrated into their local high schools and there would be no need for us to exist," he said. "But until we achieve that goal, Harvey Milk School is here for kids who need a safe place today."
Outside the school, the Rev. Fred Phelps, in a blue jacket and a cowboy hat, stood with ten protesters who carried antigay signs and yelled antigay epithets at the school's supporters and students. "God hates fags," read one sign held by a young white woman. Next to her, a small boy held a sign depicting a stick figure image of two men engaged in sodomy.
"I'm just a regular Bible believer who believes in God and believes God's gonna throw sinners in hell," said Ruben Israel, a protester who said he was from Los Angeles.
The contrast between the small band of all-white protesters and the multiracial crowd of supporters could not have been more stark. Similarly, about 70 percent of the students in last year's class are African American or Latino.
The school released statistics that 28 percent of gay teens drop out of school each year, three times the national average. Almost 70 percent of LGBT youth report experiencing some form of harassment or violence, the school said. And LGBT youth are three times more likely to attempt suicide than other youth.
Last year's valedictorian at Harvey Milk, Dino Portalatin, told how he was outed and harassed three years ago at a public high school in Brooklyn. After getting into several fights at school, Portalatin stopped going to classes as often, racking up 85 absences in one semester. He suffered bouts of depression, considered suicide and finally sought help from a counselor.
Portalatin dropped out of his regular school and applied to Harvey Milk. "My mom and I had to explain why I thought I should be at Harvey Milk," he said. "I was never asked if I was gay." Sexual orientation is not discussed in the interview process, he said. After all, the school welcomes straight, gay and bisexual students.
Portalatin, now 19, went from a truant student to a stellar one. His grades improved immediately at Harvey Milk and he graduated at the top of his class. "If not for Harvey Milk," he said, "I'm sure I'd either be dead or working some burger-flipping job, making no money and just trying to get by." He now plans to go to college next year and major in sociology.
That's a story you won't read in the New York Post. The right-wing media and the right-wing fringe groups want to distort the truth about the Harvey Milk School.
The truth is that Harvey Milk is an accredited school with a 95 percent graduation rate and a 60 percent placement rate in college or advanced programs. The school is one of 160 small schools in New York, including the Frederick Dougalass Academy and the Young Women's Leadership School.
The school is not for everyone. There are more than 100,000 gay and lesbian students in New York City, Mensah said, "I have only 107." Of course, the school system should provide a safe space for all student at all campuses, but until that happens, many students will continue to need a school like Harvey Milk. Right now, it's the best option available.
Comments conceal
alicia banks
September 8 2003, 12:16PM
bravo to all who dare to challenge bigotry and evil abuse by any means necessary!
dear jesus: please deliver them from the "christians" and bless all these brave and cool new yorkers
peace
ab
Doug Cooper
September 8 2003, 3:49PM
The detractors of The Harvey Milk School say the school doesn't prepare the students for the real world? That's ludicrous!
The best way to prepare someone for the real world is to instill high self esteem.
Roger Pollard
September 9 2003, 11:41AM
The fact that Fred Phelps showed up underscores the reason schools such as Harvey Milk need to exist.
mike
September 10 2003, 11:09AM
Keith,
You surely are a flat out liar aren't you? You quote Ruben Israel (who is a latino from LA), and then immediately call the protesters ALL WHITE, in your attempt as Jesse Jackson always does to thrown the race card into it. What about Senator Ruben Diaz who filed the lawsuit is he white too? Classic lies, when you know the issue is over GOD'S morality - what is right and wrong, and has nothing to do with skin color.
Remember JESUS CHRIST says all liar will have their part in the lake of fire as well!
Sincerely,
mike
ronn
September 12 2003, 12:33AM
mike: Latinos can be white or Black or multi-race. I saw a pic of Israel and believe he identifies himself as white. Ruben Diaz is Latino, but if you didn't know who he is and had to put a label on him from visual clues, most people would probably say he's Black. He's mos def darker than I am.
Since you're quoting Jesus of Nazareth, maybe you should go back and read what he has to say about love and acceptance. Your ilk kills "christianity" with such hateful, irrational thoughts and deeds.
Mike
September 12 2003, 9:53AM
I wish they had more schools like this in the US. I'm glad the mayor is supporting this school. I also wish they had a school like this when I was going to high school. Things would have been much easier for me. I was an outkast the entire time I was in high school. I hope the graduation rate and the College Placement rate raises even higher just to show the United States we need more schools like this.
VERB
September 12 2003, 11:44PM
co-signin' with Roger Pollard...EXCELLENT point.
BE peace,
VERB
in rotation:
FREDDIE HUBBARD - First Light
Tina
September 14 2003, 3:28PM
In the midwest, we hold Phelps-a-thons. If Fred shows up, we take pledge money for every minute he and his stick it out, giving the money to the victims he reviles. Works very well! It's lose-lose for Fred, an outcome that is very desirable :)
Joey
October 14 2003, 9:30AM
I support Rev. Diaz, first he is my pastor and he is a man who God has annointed to represent his people in the political arena. For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power,love and a sound mind. I am against this kind of immoral act done by the Board of Ed, is shows that the end times are near. The second coming of the Lord is at hand and their is one thing to do according to Acts 2:38 Repent, be baptised in Jesus' name and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
BAQI JACKSON
December 19 2003, 1:06PM
BEHIND EVERY ANXIETY ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS A MUCH DEEPER PREDATION: FEAR OF PLEASURE, FEAR OF RIGHTEOUS PLEASURE, FEAR OF POWERFUL PLEASURE. FEAR OF HANDS THAT KNOW THEIR SEXUAL BODY SO WELL THAT THEY GROW HAIR. FEAR OF A LUST THAT WOULD MAKE WOMEN DEMANDING AND MEN WEAK IN THE KNEES. SOMEONE IS GOING TO THE MOON ON THESE SENSATIONS, SOMEONE IS RISKING EVERYTHING TO FEEL IT AGAIN. AND ITS THIS EXTREME AND SOUGHT-AFTER ROCKET TO ECSTASY THAT OFFENDS US SO-NOT FEAR AT ALL, BUT SUSPICION AND ENVY IN SPADES.
BAQI JACKSON
December 19 2003, 1:10PM
BUT EVERYONE HAS THE INSPIRATIONS AND DREAMS THAT CAN MAKE THEM THE "HAPPIEST---IN THE WHOLE U.S.A.." IF YOU CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIMNE SOMETHNING PLEASED YOU INTO PASSION, EXCLAMATION, OR TOTAL SILLINESS, THEN ITS BEEN TOO LONG. A LOVER IS SOMEONE WHO CAN BE MOVED BY THE SMALLEST THINGS, SOMEONE WHO CAN TOUCH WITHOUT FEAR-WHO IS BIG ENOUGH FOR THE BIGGEST KIND OF SEX THAT THERE IS. WITH A GREAT DEAL OF HAUGHTINESS OUR CULTURE DECLARES THAT THE ONE SEXUAL THING WE CAN ALL AGREE UPON IS PRIVACY.
BAQI JACKSON
December 19 2003, 1:15PM
JUST WHAT THAT "GREAT MYSTERY" IS SUPPOSED TO ENTAIL HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL. IT IS THE UNCANNINESS OF SEDUCTION, THE RIDDLE OF SEXUAL TABOOS, THE PUZZLES OF AROUSAL. I'D SAY 90 PERCENT OF WHAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE INTRIGUINGLY MYSTERIOUS IS NOTHING MORE THAN SUPERSTITION. ITS IRRESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE LACK OF SEX EDUCATION IN THIS COUNTRY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PLEASURE OF PRIVACY. PRIVACY HAS BEEN A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE'S PAIN AND EXPLOITATION.
-Quoted from the book: Full Exposure, by Susie Bright, 1999.