May 4, 2012
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A yearbook profile about a homosexual student’s experiences at Lenoir City High School, in east Tennessee, has ignited protests among students and parents as well as calls for an investigation from some school officials.
“I have received an unbelievable number of emails from parents and concerned citizens,” Lenoir City High School Principal Steve Millsaps told the Knoxville News Sentinel. The yearbooks were distributed to students last Friday.
The profile, titled “It’s OK to be Gay,” tells the story of student Zac Mitchell. The article was written by another student who did not want to be identified for fear of retaliation.
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Mitchell said his family has known he was gay since he was three-years-old.
“They knew when they saw me kissing a boy behind the monkey bars,” he said. The article goes on to describe Mitchell’s cross-dressing and being “hit on by straight guys.”
He also talked about bullying and said “he hopes “that he can help people who are struggling with coming out about being gay themselves.”
The outcry in this small Tennessee community has been significant. Students told the Associated Press that petitions were being circulated urging them to tear the page from their yearbook during graduation.
One viewer wrote television station WATE wondering why an entire page was “dedicated to someone because he kissed a boy when he was 3.”
“No one else had a full page dedicated to them and some of the school clubs did not get their group pictures put in it,” the viewer wrote. “I guess we see what is the most important in the high school.”
An email was circulated throughout the community calling the story “vile.”
“It is time to take a stand for our faith,” the email read. “We aren’t being called to risk our lives and go before a king like Nehemiah – but our walls are broken down and our gates are burning. We aren’t called to sit in a prison like Paul – but we are certainly in bondage. We can no longer sit idly by. We live in a world where soon it may be illegal just to speak the name of our Savior.”
Van Shaver, a member of the Loudon County School Board, called for a criminal investigation into the yearbook’s faculty adviser – James Yoakley.
“My concern is that if we have teachers having conservations with underage children about sexual orientation, sexual activities, or cross-dressing – that is a line that I think is a major problem,” Shaver told Fox News. “If the adviser has been found to have inappropriate communication with students, you better believe he should be dismissed.”
Yoakley defended the profile in email correspondence with the Student Press Law Center. He said it was “the right and legal thing to do.”
“The editor tried to capture the school from all the different ways and places students fit into the school community,” he wrote to the SPLC. “She did it quite well. The gay student was just one of many ‘elements’ we covered.”
This is not the first time Yoakley’s journalism students have courted controversy. In February, the newspaper editor was denied permission to publish an essay titled “No Rights. The Life of an Atheist.”
Shaver said he has grave concerns about Yoakley’s actions.
“I personally don’t think the yearbook is the place to be promoting anybody’s sexual orientation or activities – whether it be homosexuals, heterosexuals or anybody else,” he said.”
Shaver said he wanted to stress that he was not attacking the student.
“I have no issue with the young man that was featured in the annual,” he said. “If he chooses to be gay, that’s his choice. I don’t have a problem with that. Everybody can make their own decision how they want to live their lives.”
However, Shaver said that several years ago the same adviser refused to publish a story about a severely injured student who credited her recovery to her Christian faith because it violated the so-called separation of church and state.
C.E. Jackson, III, the pastor of First Baptist Church, Lenoir City’s largest congregation, expressed his concern in an email statement to Fox News.
“Any article in Lenoir City High School’s yearbook that focuses on any student’s past sexual experiences, present sexual practices, or future sexual aspirations is entirely inappropriate and should not have been included in this publication,” Jackson wrote. “This is especially true given the fact that the vast majority of students at Lenoir City High School are technically under legal age.”
However, Mitchell’s story has drawn support. More than 1,300 people joined a Facebook page called “Take a Stand Against the Ignorance in Lenoir City.”
“They have done everything except grab the pitchforks and torches to the school and it is a damn shame,” wrote on supporter. “Let’s prove that love overpowers ignorance.”
Michael Cole-Schwartz, the director of communications for the Human Rights Commission, praised both Mitchell and the student yearbook staff.
The fact is that there are gay kids growing up in towns and cities across the country and it sounds like this story reflects this reality and hopefully has opened up some folks’ minds to the experience of being a gay person in that community,” he told Fox News.
Cole-Schwartz said there was absolutely nothing wrong with the yearbook article.
“I would hope that folks would step back and understand that it is okay to be gay and the experiences of this young person in this town are something they should think about – whether or not their community is welcoming and open to all people,” he said.
Shaw said his decision to speak out has come with a price. He said he’s been getting violent threats from across the country.
He said one national news reporter began verbally attacking him during a telephone interview.
“He was ranting quite heavily about why am I picking on children – why am I not picking on adult gay people who can bash my head,” Shaw said. “The (violent) response has been unbelievable. The only thing I’ve said is that I have a concern about adults interacting with children in an appropriate way.
The Lenoir City School superintendent refused to comment – and Yoakley did not return messages seeking comment.
With reporting from the Associated Press
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This is clearly very confusing for christians, after all, gay sex and little boy rape CLEARLY belong in the church, where it's been for centuries….
Parents- your children are safer in a gay bar than they are in any christian 'institution'….
The problem centers on distinguishing what different people consider odd or acceptable behavior. It's a tough subject to talk about because the science needed to explain homosexuality is very subjective; leaving heterosexuals with what they have taught and inherently feel about the subject. There is a lot of room when discussing whether or not homosexuality is an unusual mental condition that is physiologically "normal" in some people, a learned behavior driven by some psychological factor that obviates the sexual discipline that regulates our personal behavior, or a break-down in our society's value system born in the 60's and 70's where the rule of thumb was "if it feels good, do it," aided by the lowering of any thoughtful resistance created by the use of drugs. On the otherside of the coin, we are left to wonder how truly important sexual orientation really is, particularly matched against a person's productivity and other imporrtant character traits. It's become an open-ended subject that will probably be with us for a long time because too many people on both sides of this issue will obstinately defend their point of view — just as other social issues continue to plague us!
Remember the churches "gay is not okay" sign? That was not okay, yet the yearbooks title "gay is okay is "okay" What I like about this story and all these stories of Christians standing up for what they believe is how they are threatened and victimized by gay terrorest.
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/faith/churchs-gay-is-not-okay-sign-causes-outrage-02132012
how can a mere mortal tell other people what is right or wrong in the eyes of God ? Isn't there a rule in the Bible that states – Judge not for thou shall be judged ? It seems to me that people are more concerned with a few passages vs. the whole Bible, that say – there is only one God, and He shall pass judgement.
AL Lyman Harring yes indeed, I was up all night because I dont work on Fridays and giving people a hard time.
I'm just curious why gays have chosen the rainbow as their symbol. You do know that God created the rainbow as a sign to Noah that he would never destroy the earth again with a flood. And now here you are destroying the earth with your gayness. I just find it kind of ironic considering if Noah had only loaded gays unto the ark no one would be here today, no not even you. And if he had only loaded gay animals there would be no beautiful nature to enjoy. Everyday when you wake up and here the birds chirping, when you hike through the woods and see a deer prancing, and when you look out into the ocean and see dolphins swimming, all that beauty is because Noah rejected the gays.
I try not to judge, God did say be fruitful and multiply
they chose a rainbow because they are hoping one day they too will be safe, and the world will be peaceful…such as it was when the dove flew and the rain had stopped.
Dustin Bigelow I'm being a little sarcastic with the rainbow thing. It's weird that Fox news is connected to Facebook. I didn't even know people from Facebook could see things I was commenting on elsewhere.
I know we have these wonderful items called "freedom of speech and freedom to print your opinion…but even though you are my little brother Ja, if I have to keep seeing the same issues and stories about the "gays and their lack of freedoms" I may need to block you because I just can't handle these drama causing articles.
AL Lyman Harring It wasn't my story. It was a Yahoo news story.
Jason Tjapkes and one more thing…it doesn't have to be a rainbow to represent "gays" – it could be plaid, and people would still complain about them.
AL Lyman Harring well you made me feel pretty bad. Guess ill be more careful of posting drama
Not sure how the originator of the artcile checked the "fact" that "Noah rejected the gays". Was he there? Is there an historical document that states such? C'mon, let's be a little more tolerant. 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt alove the Lord thy God with all thy bheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy cmind.
38 This is the first and great acommandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt alove thy neighbour as thyself.
Not sure how the originator of the artcile checked the "fact" that "Noah rejected the gays". Was he there? Is there an historical document that states such?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt alove the Lord thy God with all thy bheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy cmind.
38 This is the first and great acommandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt alove thy neighbour as thyself.
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Ken Shawl No Noah did not really reject any gays. But God did command he gather every male and female of their kind. Like I said I was being sarcastic. The real issue of Christians fighting against immoral values to be taught and excepted in public schools is not being not loving to thy neighbor. Their is nothing hateful or lacking of Gods love in wanting your children to attend a public school and not be subjected to immorality. Public schools suppose to be a safe place for students.
Ken Shawl By the way I thought I would apologize for the whole GM electric car debate we had before. I think it is good that we try to invest in clean green energy.
Jason Tjapkes You mean YOUR definition of immorality. See, thats the tricky part, Everyone's definition of immorality is different, so who's do we choose?
Jason – Noah didn't reject the gays. God told Noah to get his kids and thier families into the ark, along with two of every species. God determined whom should be in the ark. Just correcting your post. But a good point – it took heterosexuals to make these people that are claiming homosexualism is genetic. Nothing has, nor will be created by homosexualism, except the diseases that have been attributed to the act. I am not against the person – they are loved by God. I am against the act, which God said was a sin. We should not be jumping down the throats of these people that God loves, but we need to be pointing them to the truths, to facts, to the Love and Forgiveness of God, which we all need, including Gary and James above. (me too!!!).
@Jason – You do know the flood story was told well before Christianity and is a common story right? If you are trying to say that homosexuals are destroying the world with their happiness (gay does mean happy so gayness would mean happiness) I don't know how happiness can be bad.
I find it hilarious that you think the Noah's Ark story actually happened – considering there is no evidence for a flood at the time that was supposed to happen. I also find it funny you think that two of every single animal could fit on an ark.
Dolphins can be homosexual by the way. Also the only people on the boat allegedly were Noah and his family. Maybe one of his kids was secretly homosexual. Who knows – but you know what? If that story was true…and all the homosexuals were killed in the flood then why are there still homosexuals today? Hmmm….use the Bible to explain that one.
Douglas Brininstool I'm sorry but are you retarded? You do realize that a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can happen to heterosexuals and in fact does happen to heterosexuals on the regular? An STD doesn't care if the person transmitting it to another is a homo or heterosexual. It's just going to get transferred. Wow.
Travis Wickline Travis – that is the problem with man trying to define their own moral paths. Luckily, we have the God of all creation that laid down a moral path for us, that we should follow – then your question becomes mute, because there isn't a different morality definition. There is just one, given by the creator of all.
Jason Tjapkes All good Jason, I firmly believe that discussing these types of topics makes us explore them from several points of view. Which can only serve to help educate all of us.
AL Lyman Harring during World War II the symbol was a pink upside down triangle– at least that is the symbol given to gays as they were being gassed and shot by Hitler's men. Those who were mentally challenged also had a symbol as did those who had deformities. We now see where hate can lead
To o bad many people on this forum do not remember that part of history.
Maybe I am old school, having graduated from high school in 1973, but I always believed that a yearbook was a "symbol," a momento that marks your right of passage into adulthood. It, in a way, is an accumulation of your childhood, all your school years, all your memories rolled into one book that will serve as a reminder, as you grow older through life, of a childhood that you can never go back to, never relive except through the memories that are sparked with the turning of the pages of your yearook. The making of a yearbook requires careful thought and planning, attempting to capture a year in the life of the students. The yearbook represents the school and all the students who are enrolled. It is not easy trying to capture and include everything because in the end, the overall cost has to be an important factor. Having said all this, I would think that if one student were to be given a prominent, one full page within the yearbook, it would be because of something that was so significant has to have impacted the lives of every student. I can sympathize with this young man's personal struggles with being gay but then what student hasn't struggled with their own personal demons, trying to fit in, wanting to be liked, while just trying to get through school and graduate. If those who seperate themselves into the "gay community" crying out that they are just like everyone else and just what to be accepted and treated fairly, then why do they demand recognition for somehow being special.
Bravo James! Your post is the most intelligent opinion I have read on this board. I wish I had wrote it.
I think you put way too much stock into a yearbook James. I have yet to meet one person who I graduated with who talks about our yearbooks. No one cares after high school. Most people want to forget high school.
Oh please. This student's life style should never been published in a year book let alone his past. There's another agenda here.
But heterosexual kids lifestyles – that's okay right? Ohhh it just can't talk about homosexuals because you and others think that's "icky." There's no other agenda.
Never send your child to a FAILED public school and yes, that includes ALL of the public schools in your area. To those of you who happen to live in an upper class neighborhood, your local public schools are no better than the public schools located in rundown inner city ghettos. Don't forget, it's the parents RESPONSIBILITY to EDUCATE their own children, not the states. If you want a normal healthy child with the proper understanding of the different rolls God intended for a man and a woman, HOME SCHOOL your child.
It's a tough call, Stephen. If you send them to a christian school they will most likely be raped, well, the boys will….
By all means, keep them completely sheltered and removed from society so that they can be even more intolerant and bigoted than their parents. If you really want to shield your children, just go whole hog and send them to a monastery.
They call people ignorant yet claim that they knew since he was three that he was gay because he kissed a boy. That is the most ignorant statement of all.
They call people ignorant yet claim that they knew since he was three that he was gay because he kissed a boy. That is the most ignorant statement of all.
God is our judge! We are not supposed to judge, yet we do. We idolize the wealthy and well known, base our lives on what the world sets as standard. Covet cars, houses, and clothes based on what the common public consider to be worthy. Our inteligence is determined by a set of test writen by so called smart people… who were deemed wise by other smart people. If. Thats not being judgemental, then I dont know what is. We judge others by their past, lifestyles, income, or appearence. While most of us are still trying to find ourselves. Only we know who we are at heart, not who we pretend to be to please those around us.
I like your thoughts here. Every time I make some kind of comment on my beliefs their is always someone to make me feel bad about what I've said. Certainly a comment on a story of an event that involves a public issue is a different situation then a real life experience with an actual person. However, the Bible also tells us that we do need to judge and stay away from evil doers. A Christian has to walk a fine line of being compassionate and loving towards all mankind but also has to proclaim Gods word even when it offends people.
The only thing Christ called an abomination is "The worship of Money"
Jason Tjapkes All you need to do as a Christian is to follow your faith. Embrace it…live it. I have a bit of a problem with folks who have to take their faith out into the world and attempt to show others how they have somehow lost their way. I have a hard time understanding why that is. Most people of faith have this mindset that their chosen religion is the one, true religion that must be shared with others in order to put them on some chosen religious path to eternal…whatever.
This is not a personal attack on your beliefs as much as an attempt to understand. My difference of beliefs(or lack thereof)doesn't make me wrong and people of faith right. It simply means a difference of opinions. Your faith is no more correct and no less valid than my Atheism.
Jason Tjapkes Where ever you learned the Bible and its teachings you certainly lost in God's Love. Read it again.
There are over 10 national ministrys to help the homosexuals come out of their bondage to the depraved slavery of their own lustful choosing. Thousands have been healed and returned to a more normal and turned from the abnormal. God has a higher calling of dignity for those that are slaves.
Considerable empirical research exists to show that 'reparative therapy' does not work….
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2000-02/APA-tdiw-0302100.php
I'll allow you to now present links to support your claim that "Thousands have been healed", and please remember that god hates liars…..
Considerable empirical research exists to show that 'reparative therapy' does not work….
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2000-02/APA-tdiw-0302100.php
I'll allow you to now present links to support your claim that "Thousands have been healed", and please remember that god hates liars…..
Considerable empirical research exists to show that 'reparative therapy' does not work….
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2000-02/APA-tdiw-0302100.php
I'll allow you to now present links to support your claim that "Thousands have been healed", and please remember that god hates liars…..
I see they have done a heck of a job on you!
@Lawerence – I'm sorry but I've met homosexuals who went through this 'reparative therapy" and it did not work. You can't make someone not be who they are. That's like making someone not be black, white, etc. You're an idiot.
What a wonderful worldview looking forward each day to playing in anothers excrement and defacation. Homosexuals are depraved and degenerate and have made a choice to die in their sexual perversion
Lawrence C Rountree Howard and I are still waiting for you to post support material to backup your claim that "thousands have been healed". Or maybe you are just all talk and hot air.
99 out of 100 homosexuals are pedophiles, watch your children they cannot reproduce out of the anus
Lawrence C Rountree That's what I thought. All talk….no substance! You know what they say about folks that protest the gay lifestyle too much. It often means they have latent tendencies toward it.
Lawrence C Rountree "What a wonderful worldview looking forward each day to playing in anothers excrement and defacation." You know that urine comes out of a vagina, right? I'm thinking that's pretty unclean as well.
Lawrence C Rountree "What a wonderful worldview looking forward each day to playing in anothers excrement and defacation." You know that urine comes out of a vagina, right? I'm thinking that's pretty unclean as well.
Lawrence C Rountree Do you have a source, or is that just your opinion. You do know there is a difference right? Well, here is my source from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1556756
"Using phallometric test sensitivities to calculate the proportion of true pedophiles among various groups of sex offenders against children, and taking into consideration previously reported mean numbers of victims per offender group, the ratio of heterosexual to homosexual pedophiles was calculated to be approximately 11:1."
So you see in the real world that deals with facts, most pedophiles are heterosexual.
Lawrence C Rountree Do you have a source, or is that just your opinion. You do know there is a difference right? Well, here is my source from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1556756
"Using phallometric test sensitivities to calculate the proportion of true pedophiles among various groups of sex offenders against children, and taking into consideration previously reported mean numbers of victims per offender group, the ratio of heterosexual to homosexual pedophiles was calculated to be approximately 11:1."
So you see in the real world that deals with facts, most pedophiles are heterosexual.
100 of 100 homosexuals are living in perversion and are slaves to their lustful degenerate passions
For a college educated individual, your statements are absurd, Lawrence. These folks approached your vindictive and intellectually abject post with reason by presenting you sound rebuttals to your emotionally charged comments. And when the ball is in your court and the onus is on you to combat sound arguments, you cover your ears and repeat what you've been brainwashed into believing. Your God doesn't virtue that, sir. 1Peter 3:15
Lawrence C Rountree Where do you get your stats about pedophiles – because they are wrong. Also, there are plenty of heterosexuals who have anal sex. So it's disgusting when homosexuals have anal sex but you're okay with sticking your penis into a woman's mouth? Or going down on her? That's okay but not in the butt!! They don't "play with each other's excrements."
Rustin Nejad Forget it…Mr. Rountree obviously doesn't want to be confused with any pesky facts. Offering him logical rebuttals(no pun intended) to his diatribes means nothing to him. He is simply a parrot who wants nothing to do with facts, logic or reality.
Everybody just hears what they want to hear. Their pro or anti gay attitudes won't allow them to see and hear the clear issue here. Read the article! Nobody has an issue with this lad or his sexual orientation. The problem lies with the advisor who thought it was appropriate to feature a full page feature article describing the student's sexual history. This isn't a gay issue, it's an appropriateness issue. This kind of thing has no place in a high school yearbook! Would the advisor have approved a piece featuring a straight student's high school sexual experience? Probably not.
This is simply another example of an adult teacher attempting to advance his socio/political values using students to do so. Again…this isn't about being pro gay or anti gay. It's about a school yearbook that is printed for everybody and nobody's sexual orientation is worthy or appropriate to include.
Martin Miller – Where in that entire page was the kid's sexual history described? So by saying "homosexual" that's a complete description of someone's sexual history? So that means we shouldn't say "heterosexual" either right? GTFO. This whole thing is ridiculous. I mean the conservatives throwing a big damn fit about this.
Gays should be rounded up and put in concentration camps. There they will be able to find all the fudge packers they want very easily.
Wow John…don't mince words, tell us how you really feel!
Ah yes, the land of the free.
I think idiots like you should be rounded up and thrown into camps.
If you think there is NOTHING WRONG with one man putting his penis into another mans anus you are mentally ill.
How about a man doing it to a woman?
How about a man doing it to a woman?
How about a man doing it to a woman?
How about a penis going down a throat? Or jerking off and "spilling your seed"?
Travis Wickline You and Howard took the words out of my mouth LOL.
How dare this advisor use the kids' year book as his forum for his personal agenda! The kids don't deserve to have their year book ruined by this lunatic!
OH like kids really give two shits about their high school yearbooks after they graduate. The ONLY people who give a shit about the yearbook are the "popular" kids who realize after high school their popularity didn't mean shit and want to relive their glory days by flipping through the yearbook and counting how many pages they were on. Lol. Lame.
It's just a yearbook.
Its to bad we cannot give the Fags their own country and the lesbians their own country and seal off the borders, I mean we will be mercyfull and send them their drugs and food supplys , but after the borders are sealed up nobudy gets in or out for 120 years , Problem solved. After 120 years they will all be dead from old age , with no offspring to brainwash they will become extinct. lol
Change 'fags' to 'conservatives' and you would have made the most intelligent statement of your life…..
Howard Aubrey Awww , feelings hurrrt.
Thats to bad. Hey i have an idea , Go OCCUPY an aids clinic.
Gary Trotman , can I wait until your Mom finishes here? I already gave her the quarter…..
Howard Aubrey Ewwww , my mom is over 70 years old. You poor poor desperate soul.
Yeah Im sure that's exactly what Jesus was talking about when he said… oh what was it… Oh yeah… LOVE THINE ENEMY.
It's too bad we can't give fuck stains like Gary Trotman their own country and seal off the borders. How long before they turn on each other?
"No offspring to brainwash?" What homosexual has ever brainwashed their kids or been brainwashed to be homosexual? You're a fucking tool guy. I know plenty of homosexuals and they were never forced to be homosexual. HOWEVER I have read of plenty of so-called Christians who try to brainwash homosexuals to be heterosexuals. I have seen plenty of pedophiles – ahem Catholic priests – who are heterosexual who molested children.
Why don't YOU just beat yourself in the face?
Gary, change the word "Fags" to "Jews" and you have the sentiment of Hitler. Sad that the hatred that occurred in World War 2 did not teach us anything…Heil Gary..
Matthew Carpenter Actually homosexuals were part of those "exterminated" under the Nazi plan. As well as many other "unwanted" people.
Too bad we can't give you your own country – and no they won't be all dead. Homosexuality isn't a choice. Wow you're just …wow.
Zac Mitchell is very brave for allowing this story to be written and published. The author is a complete coward. Zac Mitchell is unfortunately going to be ostracized. Did James Yoakley think about that? Did James Yoakley consider how Zac Mitchell will be affected by publishing this story in the year book? Shame on you James Yoakley! James Yoakley, you threw Zac Mitchell to the the wolves! Is that what you wanted to do? What about the author? Did the author remain nameless, because he knew that he and Zac Mitchell would receive a huge backlash from this? Bravo author!
I don't think Zac Mitchell will receive backlash. His fellow students already know he's homosexual. It's not a secret – so what backlash will he get?
Idk, You should ask Zac Mitchell if there has been any negative backlash.
Chad Fleming I don't know him so I can't. I'm sure he has had a few ignorant comments BUT did you not read the article? His ENTIRE school knew he is homosexual, which means the town likely did too. So that means it was not a surprise to anyone. If he had any negative comments, it would be from outside where he lives. But I highly doubt it's as bad as you think. The country doesn't really care about homosexuals anymore. It's not a big deal to find out you know a homosexual. It's not like it's contagious you can't get "gay" from touching them lol.
Get this! Lenoir City High School Principal Steve Millsaps was surprised by the "unbelievable number of emails from parents and concerned citizens". How can it be "unbelievable"? Get the hint Steve Millsaps, because you knew James Yoakley's stance on the article “No Rights. The Life of an Atheist” and the story about a severely injured student who credited her recovery to her Christian faith! Steve Millsaps, are you blind, deaf, and?
"Mitchell said his family has known he was gay since he was three-years-old"? 3 years old?
My brother said he knew since he was five. We didn't know until he was 19 or 20 when he told us. What's your point? I think people don't give children enough credit to know who they are as a person even at a young age.
Well how old were you Harry Withearl when you knew you are heterosexual?
After reading this article, and then moving onto the comments, I don't know what is worse… A homosexual or a Christian. They are both equally vile disgusting creatures. Gays have anal sex and christians have anal sex with the world. The christians think they are so high and mighty and always persecuted, but they fail to recognize their bloody and violent past. They are no better then the current day islam people who stone each other and kill each other over their fairy tales. Christians are just idiots who were indoctrinated as children, their parents and church manipulated their minds into believing fairy tales and "passing down religious" traditions. They believe in magic and cloak their hate in the form of religion and the bible. Christians had slaughtered and killed and have been prejudice to many people in the world. Religion is archaic nonsense that just holds the world back. Christians in the USA would probably be just as bad as Islam people if they didn't fear USA law. Christians think they are always targeted and hated on and fail to see that you can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't go around hating gays and other religions and blacks and whoever else you hate and not expect to get some flack yourselves. Religion leads to hypocrisy and then they twist the meaning of their book around to suit them as needed. They are just horrible people. I hope to one day have freedom from religion because these religious people spout some horrible horrible stuff.
People confuse the issue by comparing the Christian agenda with gays attempting to overcome hatred and abuse. Take good ol' Nancy's comment below. She is basically saying gay kids are evil. Also, the belief that being gay is a choice is pure idiocy. Do people choose to be straight? Do you consciously choose to like or dislike certain foods, or do you 'just not like the taste'? I'm a human with a rational mind so I can say I don't like peas…but I don't know WHY. Also, separation of church and state when it comes to schools: if you allow Christian activities you must by law allow ALL religions. Yes that includes Wicca, and all other questionable weird etc religions. Do you want that? Gay people don't espouse a religion or type of belief, in fact they are combatting people like Nancy who essentially call them evil because of their preference…a preference they chose no more than you chosea preference for liking one food and disliking another. It's just one
Funny how nearly all the defends of this hate are OLD and most of those calling for EQUALITY are younger. Matches the last four polls that show the young by a 2 to 1 margin are fully supporting marriage equality.
You haters are all dying off and in twenty years your own grand children will laugh at you.
Alright, some background for my comment: (1) I am a Christian and I think homosexuality is wrong, (2) as an American I believe in free speech. That being said, I don't think this writer should be censored from the yearbook because of his opinion on being gay. Now the editor's choice to give him a whole page while others do not get the same treatment is unfair. Even so, the over-the-top anger over the essay is unwarranted. The best thing to do if you are in the same school and want equal treatment is to use your own right of free speech and petition the paper to be fair in its allotment of space.
So if I had wanted a page in the yearbook that said I banged Mary Jane Crotchrot like a screen door in a hurricaine and figured out I was militantly hetrosexual – anybody think that would be acceptable? Gee, I thought not. If you want to ride the baloney pony, or be a vagitarian with similarly minded friends do so on your own time and not in someone's yearbook.
@Bat Guano – Except that kid – who didn't even write the article someone else did about him – never described his sex life IF he even has one.
Funny how nearly all the defends of this hate are OLD and most of those calling for EQUALITY are younger. Matches the last four polls that show the young by a 2 to 1 margin are fully supporting marriage equality.
You haters are all dying off and in twenty years your own grand children will laugh at you.
Religion is a CHOICE that has led to more wars, slavery, murder, rape, subjugation of woman, torture, pedophilia, and hatred then all other institutions combined in the history of man.
And someone came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, which good thing must I do that I may have eternal life?” But he answered him, “Why are you asking me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into that life, keep the commandments.” The man said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, honor your father and mother—love your neighbor as yourself.”.
I didn't see any reference to sex in the article at all. He said he was gay. He never said he was having sex.
can we make a copy of that yearbook page about the homosexual thing, distribute it on the internet and print it out so a BILLION people in the USA can tear it up the same time they tear it out of the yearbook at graduation?
I know you have no use for facts in whatever universe you're living in, but there are are just over 310 Million people in the U.S. That's only 1/3 of the number you quoted. And just curious… what would tearing up all those pages accomplish anyway? Answer: Not one single thing.
I know you have no use for facts in whatever universe you're living in, but there are are just over 310 Million people in the U.S. That's only 1/3 of the number you quoted. And just curious… what would tearing up all those pages accomplish anyway? Answer: Not one single thing.
Travis Wickline My point exactly about facts and stats. It will show the homosexual mafia throws out amazing numbers of support for their agenda, yet at the polls when normal people do the voting, the figures just dont add up and we defeat the homosexuals and win every single time. I say 99% will tear out the pages. What say you travis the antagonist?
James DeSimone "Normal" people? What is "normal" to you James? I say that 99% will NOT tear out the pages. I think you overestimate how many ignorant, bigoted people like you live in the US. I would say it's a lot lower number than that. Most people really do not care about homosexuals anymore.
Did a homosexual hurt you in some way for you to despise them so much? They are people too. Probably closer to "normal" than you are.
Reading all these ignorant and bigoted comments. It hurts mah brainz.
…." "This homosexual advocate now admits what we've known for years. Homosexuals are pedophiles who abuse and rape children; which they must do to maintain their available pool of future sex partners."
http://www.greeleygazette.com/press/?p=9797
Could you be any more wrong? Apparently you forgot that 1) it is the Catholic Priests and MANY Popes (from the very beginning of the Catholic church) that were raping children. Not the gay people, and statistically, 97.6 % of all male on male rapes have the abuser being heterosexual (most are married to women, by the way). I fear heterosexuals more than I fear any gay person around my children.
Matthew Carpenter …Maybe you need to go to the link and read. Ignoring the fact that a pedophile who has sex with a child of the same sex is a homosexual pedophile and one who is of the opposite sex is a heterosexual pedophile…is just showing your ignorance…or willful deception.
Les Redmon Do you realize that just because someone is the same gender as the person they molest or rape does not make them homosexual. The majority of same-gender molestations occur from HETEROSEXUALS!! So you're taking what one man who says he's homosexual as fact that the entire community feels that way? You are the one who is ignorant Mr. Redmon.
Homosexuals do not need to indoctrinate, abuse or rape children to "maintain their available pool of future sex partners." So if one heterosexual says some stupid things, does that mean all of us who are heterosexual agree with that person? No. Also, homosexuality has existed as long as mankind has existed so I don't think homosexuals have an issue finding sex partners. You don't indoctrinate someone to be homosexual or heterosexual. They either are or they aren't. If you make someone be one or the other, force them to be something they aren't, they won't be happy nor will they enjoy it.
I read the article. I don't know why you think this is "fact" or proves anything.
Kelly Calder ….If a man molests a male child sexually that man is a homosexual pedophile. He wants male sex. That makes that act male on male sex whether the child cooperates or not. If the child resists then that is rape by a homosexual. If you can't understand that then you are wasting your time trying to understand simple English..and my time too. Perhaps Douglas Brininstool or Paul Robinson can explain this to you.
Les Redmon Negative. Pedophilia and homosexuality are NOT the same thing.
Kelly Calder Kelly – the mere definition of homosexuality – sex or love between two people of the same gender – goes right against your first sentence. Yes, if someone is the same gender as the person they rape or molest – that does make them a homosexual pedophile, or at the least, a bi-sexual pedophile. Both are wrong on multiple accounts – same gender, against children, forcible sex, invading the rights of others, etc. Sorry Kelly – your arguement doesn't hold water.
Douglas Brininstool Where did you get that definition of homosexuality? It's simple Pedophilia and homosexuality are NOT the same thing at all. YOUR argument doesn't "hold water."
Pedophilia and child molestation are used in different ways, even by professionals. Pedophilia usually refers to an adult psychological disorder characterized by a preference for prepubescent children as sexual partners; this preference may or may not be acted upon. The term hebephilia is sometimes used to describe adult sexual attractions to adolescents or children who have reached puberty.
Whereas pedophilia and hebephilia refer to psychological propensities, child molestation and child sexual abuse are used to describe actual sexual contact between an adult and someone who has not reached the legal age of consent. In this context, the latter individual is referred to as a child, even though he or she may be a teenager.
Although the terms are not always applied consistently, it is useful to distinguish between pedophiles/hebephiles and child molesters/abusers. Pedophilia and hebephilia are diagnostic labels that refer to psychological attractions. Not all pedophiles and hebephiles actually molest children; an adult can be attracted to children or adolescents without ever actually engaging in sexual contact with them.
– That's just a portion of the link below.
http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_molestation.html
Look at people like Catholic priests – heterosexuals. Gary Sandusky – heterosexual male who allegedly (since he has yet to be convicted) molested boys. There are so many cases of heterosexual men who molest boys and/or girls. That doesn't mean they are homosexual because homosexuals do not = pedophile.
Kelly Calder I did not say homosexuality and pedophilia are the same. Not once. I said that if it is with the same gender, then it is. Come on now Kelly.
Douglas Brininstool No it isn't necessarily. You did say they're the same thing. Pedophilia has absolutely nothing to do with sexual orientation at all. Pedophilia is a disorder that causes a preference for children as sexual partners. That's it. It's not a sexual orientation. Homosexuality has nothing to do with pedophilia.
Kelly Calder Kelly, I did not. I was responding to your response from Les. In the context of a man molesting a male child. That is not only pedophelia, but it is also homosexuality – same gender. Nice try though.
Douglas Brininstool *Sigh* no it's not. Because it has nothing to do with sexuality. I'm not even going to argue because you're not getting it.
Kelly Calder Same gender is homosexuality. Sex with a child is pedophilia. Pedophilia can also be abuse of a child that is not necessarily just a sexual contact per se. Got it – still, if it is same gender it is homosexuality, if the pedophilia is in a sexual content. That is what Les was saying, and which you spoke against, which I corrected. You cannot argue out of this one. Sorry.
Douglas Brininstool Pedophilia doesn't always result in sexual contact though. You apparently didn't read the link or what I posted from it. Not all pedophiles ACT on their pedophilia. Someone can be a heterosexual and also be a pedophile attracted to same-gender children. You just have an idea in your head of what is right and you're not going to listen to anyone else so just don't even bother commenting further.
Kelly Calder If they are a heterosexual, and pedophile, attracted to same gender children, and they act on it, then they are no longer heterosexual. It is the action. Still correct. Sorry you have a hard time understanding this – but same gender is same gender and fits the definition.
Douglas Brininstool Lol that's not how it works. Smh…believe what you want. It's like talking to a wall with you.
Kelly Calder because I do not agree with your perspective does not mean I am a wall. same gender sex is homosexuality pure and simple. If it is against a minor, it is still the same. A heterosexual that does it to a same gender person of any age is no longer a heterosexual, but bI or full. There is no denying that Kelly, no matter how hard you try to say otherwise. That is what the original topic was that you tried to argue against.
Douglas Brininstool It's like talking to a wall because it's getting nowhere. I suggest you look at this as well:
http://laughingsquid.com/comic-flowchart-on-how-to-deal-with-internet-arguments/
I'm at level 2 and I"m done.
Kelly Calder Have a good day then Kelly. Thank you for the chance to discuss topics that are dear to each of us, even if we have differing views. I do hope God blesses you and your life, and that you find His saving Grace. Peace to you.
Kelly Calder … Do the sexual perverts like you not understand simple and plain English?…or…is it because you have been living a lie so long even your mind is so corrupted it cannot handle simple language. You need to talk to the police vice or a criminal lawyer. That is if you can handle it…..stark reality.
You are one more useless, racist & decrepit Republican that will be unhappy in November when our President wins.
This gentleman Les Redmon may be a pedophile or a homosexual.
This is a very biased report. There have been an outpouring of people in support of Zac and Mr. Yoakley. Way more than opposed. The yearbook book was themed for every element of the student body. Zac happens to be one of the elements. He is a kid who has pretty much come against a witch hunt of "christian" adults proclaiming fire and brimstone. No wonder there are so many gay teen suicides. And what? You think when you reach the pearly gates you wont have to answer for a child taking his life from being demeaned, bullied, being told they are an abomination? Let's not forget the scripture of the dust mote and the plank. Maybe some of these people need to tend to their "planks" before judging others. Jesus loves everyone equally and to spew hate in God's name…….maybe it's not the homosexuals who have to worry about that fire and brimstone after all………….
Thank you for posting this– you said what the hundreds of rambling posts on here have not said: No wonder there are so many gay teen suicides. God bless you for being mature and for saying what we all need to hear.
Matthew Carpenter , I just can't understand how adults can bully a child. The bullies at school most always learn this behavior at home. I think, as a parent, the heartbreak a mother or father must feel to know their child is hated for being gay, is beyond sad. I cannot imagine how they feel, but it has to be one of the most horrible feelings a parent can know. Women were treated less than human with no right to vote, African Americans were segregated because people saw them as less than human. Those things were overcome. I guess some people must always hate something that they do not or want to understand. This to shall pass and people will find someone else to hate. I just see people. We are all God's children.
It baffles me that so many people cannot see the issue but instead must cloud it up with personal oppinions. IF a page was inserted in the yearbook whereby a "straight" person was quoted as saying they kissed the opposite sex at age 3, enjoyed dressing up in cross sex clothing in order to fool gay people into hitting on them so they could laugh about it afterward, the entire free world would be in outrage! The things I mentioned are the opposite of what was said by the gay student, should that have been allowed? It is an outrage that CHILD/MINORwas quoted as saying they went to Atlanta to "go out"! Do you think it was to a tea party? If a straight child was quoted as going off down to Atlanta to party there would be equal condemnation. Does anyone care that that yearbook didn't run a page on why its okay to not be Gay? Whay wasnt the opposite side represented if a stand was going to be taken? forget about whether it was okay or not okay that the boy was GAY! It shouldn't have been in the yearbook people!
The people commenting below me are nucking futs.
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