On Tolerance, Segregation and Chicago’s Gay-Friendly High School

Here in Chicago, there are talks of a gay-friendly high school opening because, as this report by CNN puts it, “harassment and violence are causing gay students to skip class and drop out at alarming rates.” The new school would create a safe haven for gay, lesbian and bisexual students but would not cater exclusively to this population. The school would be open to all students. The curriculum would fall in line with other Chicago Public Schools but would incorporate lessons on sexual identity, primarily in history and literature classes.

As a gay man who faced more than my fair share of ridicule in high school, I find the thinking behind this idea noble. Obviously school officials are seeing a problem and are trying to find a solution. As a gay man who lives in the real world, however, I have to wonder if this solution is really the best way to address the problem.

First off, why has it only now occurred to Chicago Public Schools officials to incorporate lessons on sexual identity into the curriculum? And why would these lessons only be taught at a school that is catering toward gay and lesbian students? All teenagers, regardless of their sexual orientation, face issues of sexual identity. But more importantly, all teenagers need to learn about people who are different from them. At the heart of this problem is the issue of tolerance. Is it not time to teach our youth about the importance of accepting other people?

When society tried to teach these lessons during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, that meant fighting for integration. For the first time in the history of our country, black students and white students walked the same halls. Does it really seem like a wise idea to now segregate gay students? Have we come so far only to move backward?

And what would this segregation teach the students of Chicago? The intolerant straight students would learn that they don’t have to face people who are different from them. Those people will find another place to exist. And the gay students will learn that it is easier to run from adversity than to face it. Those are two very unrealistic and problematic lessons I would rather not see the youth of today learn.

The problem with setting up that expectation is that the real world does not work the same way. There are no supermarkets where only gay people shop. There are no offices where only gay people work. In the real world, gay people and straight people are forced to coexist. Like it or not, there is no opting out of the real world for a more gay-friendly existence.

And what about the fat kids? I am sure they are ridiculed as well. Are we going to give them their own school? We might even need to separate that group even further. Both straight people and gay people ridicule fat people. It might be wise to have a school for fat kids and a gay-friendly school for fat kids. We should also do the same for anyone who doesn’t play sports. Short kids should also have their own schools. And while we’re at it, why not base class schedules on race, religion and gender?

I firmly believe that the issue of gay high school students facing harassment and violence is an important one. I am proud that I live in a city that is tackling this issue and looking for a solution. However, I also firmly believe that segregating our high schools is not that solution.

I wish I had the answer. I wish I had a magic solution. Sadly, I do not. And perhaps there is no better solution out there. Perhaps giving gay students their own school is the best way to keep them safe. Perhaps, in this case, segregation is the answer.

All I know for sure is that if we don’t find a way to teach our children about tolerance, gay-friendly schools will only keep them safe until the last bell rings.