Editorial on Curtis Walsh, Day of Silence suspension
by Matt | April 27th, 2007 |It has been a few days since I have heard of any new news regarding Curtis Walsh, the gay Tennessee high school student suspended from school for organizing the Day of Silence. As far as I can tell, I have been one of VERY few LGBT activists, advocate or bloggers keeping track of this story and trying to connect Curtis and his mother Zina to folks who can help them out. I’m actually quite appalled at the lack of interest from the LGBT community and LGBT advocacy groups.
I found this editorial from April 20th in an AP Editorial Roundup at Forbes.com:
April 20
Johnson City (Tenn.) Press, on a protest called Day of Silence:
While it is said that silence is golden, the events on the campus of David Crockett High School in Jonesborough suggest otherwise.
An openly gay Crockett student was sent home by administrators there simply because he and other students had planned to participate in Day of Silence, a national event held on April 18 to bring attention to anti-lesbian, gay and bisexual bullying, harassment and discrimination in public schools.
If Curtis Walsh, a senior at the school who had organized the event, had wanted to show the true face of intolerance at his school, he certainly succeeded. Walsh, who admits to facing daily insults and threats about his homosexuality, was told to leave the school grounds for his own safety.
The incident is also a sad reflection on the bigotry and narrow-mindedness that still exists in some quarters of our society. Is this the message we really want to send to our children?
I’ve asked before… but if anybody has any news, be sure to let me know. The Johnson City Press, the paper where Curtis lives, hasn’t put much information about this situation online.
You can, however, check out scans of the article on Curtis’ situation here: Page 1, Page 2.
Technorati Tags: Curtis Walsh, Zina Owens, Henry Marable, Johnson City, David Crockett High School, Tennessee, Day of Silence
2 Responses to “Editorial on Curtis Walsh, Day of Silence suspension”
Hey! Just wanted to let you know that Curtis Walsh is doing okay. He was allowed to return to school the following Monday, but since then has put up with the same remarks and crap as always. He even had a bunch of french fries throwed in his face at lunch one day. He is a fighter and so am I. I don’t want to say a whole lot, but rest assured, this fight is NOT over! Thanks for all your support and keep it coming. Zina
zzmw1@yahoo.com
By Zina Owens on Apr 30, 2007
Nobody should have to go through the torment. Being different isn’t a crime. As long as we know who we are that’s al that matters. This fight will not be over till we are heard!!!!!
By angelica on Apr 28, 2008