Letter: Wrong 5 years ago; don’t be wrong again
Five years ago, my friend Sarah Barry and I looked at what we could to do to be stronger advocates for the LGBTQ community in Indiana. A few months prior I had graduated from Jasper High School, and before that, I had pursued starting a gay-straight alliance (GSA) at the school to help combat the bullying of LGBTQ students. GSAs are accredited clubs that many schools offer as a safe space for LGBTQ and straight-ally students.
Like with many attempts to start GSAs, I was denied. That August, I headed to New York City: a city full of queer history that inspired me to be a stronger advocate. I had also just gotten back from a conference organized by Point Foundation, which awards marginalized LGBTQ students scholarships and mentorship opportunities to create strong queer leaders. For the first time, I felt empowered by being gay. Not ashamed.
I shared this passion with Sarah who was still at Jasper High School and together we laid out a proposal for a GSA to the administration. We were professional. We laid out statistics, a detailed plan, and even provided examples of events the GSA could organize. We received a hard “no”. So we returned, this time citing the Equal Access Act, which prohibits public schools from denying the creation of a student organized club if the school allows some such clubs to exist. The administration responded that we were required to have a faculty advisor.
To our surprise, an advisor came on board very quickly. But, after one meeting with administration, this advisor changed their mind. Soon after, they became the advisor of a newly proposed club by the administration called “The Diversity Club”. The administration stated in a newsletter that the “Gay/Straight part of this discussion” was “a private issue between the student and his/her parent(s).”
Sarah and I pushed back, arguing that in a very conservative and Christian community students often did not feel safe enough to reveal to their parents that they identify as LGBTQ. Eventually we found another advisor who again, after a meeting with the administration, quit as well.
The GSA became a community conversation, both in person and via social media, when articles about Sarah and I’s push were posted online. LGBTQ people and straight allies throughout the community offered their support. But many condemned our actions. The language used was based in fear of the unknown. Some statements included “You are promoting a lifestyle that will lead students to get HIV”, “The club will be used to burn Bibles and eliminate religion in the school.”, and “The kids involved in the GSA will be bullied more and therefore be more likely to kill themselves.”
Sarah and I had to become warriors for what we erroneously assumed was common sense. What started simply as a request for a club had revealed our community’s festering ignorance and fear of LGBTQ issues.
So Sarah and I moved our efforts outside the school, in hopes of making a bigger impact without the administrative roadblocks. We started a community group called Raise Up. The group worked for three years to host events and provide materials to southern Indiana about LGBTQ issues, and eventually helped to fight against discriminatory state legislature.
Through this group, a faculty member decided they were willing to stand up to the administration and support the GSA. With a teacher sponsor finally in place, the school was forced to allow the GSA. This advisor went on for two years to support the GSA and then passed it on to the current GSA advisor who is still doing amazing things with the group.
The rhetoric of fear died down quickly after the GSA was created. There were no bible burning parties, no one died of HIV, and no one committed suicide because of their LGBTQ identity. None of the fear-infested comments that permeated the community news over the 6 month ordeal came true.
What did come true? Exactly what has been shown to be the effect of GSA’s throughout the country again and again. Many students at JHS now see LGBTQ students as a non-issue within the school. The mere existence of the club means the school as a whole seems supportive of their LGBTQ students. And as human beings are known to do, students coming into a school where the majority is supportive of the LGBTQ population, are likely to follow suit. A diversity club would have had the opposite effect–emphasizing to the students that the “gay-straight part of the discussion” is one that must be hidden away, leaving the LGBTQ students still isolated and their peers uneducated.
As our nation moves closer to November, the statements that Donald Trump, Mike Pence and a majority their conservative supporters make are reminiscent of the comments made about the GSA.
The topic of gender neutral bathrooms suddenly becomes about child rapists infiltrating our public restrooms. Expanded adoption laws will somehow lead to a dystopia of same-sex couples raising drug addicts. The strong push to reverse nationwide marriage equality revolves around the idea that marriage is ruined for everyone and our society is spiraling into chaos.
This uneducated rhetoric is solidified in the Republican Party’s recent platform announcement.
If history tells us anything, it’s that in five years, these issues will be non-issues and this conservative fear that fuels the fight against equality will prove baseless.
They said these things five years ago and they say similar things now. But the LGBTQ community and its supporters will prevail and ensure our society is improved by our ability to learn and accept, not fragmented by the desires of some to stay blind and misinformed in their fear.
This November, please consider what your vote means for the LGBTQ community. The Jasper High School GSA remains an example of the possibility of positive change and the proof that bigotry filled comments hold no weight. So don’t let the fear convince you, or in five years this same article will be about you.’
Tommy Craven and Sarah Barry
Tommy and Sarah,
I applaud your perseverance. Progressive change does not come in one fell swoop. It happens incrementally. You no doubt have more patience and maturity than I did when I was your age.
Scott Newton
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to debased mind to do what ought not to be done. Romans 1: 26-28
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murders, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexually, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else in contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God. 1 Timothy 1:8-11
If a man lies with a male as with women, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. Leviticus 20: 13
You shall not lie with a man like as with women; this is an abomination. Leviticus 18: 22
ENOUGH SAID!
Unfortunately, this country still has its “Christian” ayatollahs. But take heart. They stand squarely on the wrong side of history.
Enough said.
Scott Newton
Sir you are confusing the United States with a theocracy. We don’t accept one religion as the guide to morals or law. So regardless if the Bible is to be taken literally, the law represents all so to pass laws based on one religion is actually Un-American. I think you might want to move.
And any LGBTQ person reading his comment and wanting to have a relationship with God. You can! Many Christian churches (and many other religions) accept LGBTQ people as their brothers and sisters of God so please find one and have your own relationship with God unlike this man.
While im a straight male and married to a woman.I support people who are LGBTQ+, I see the sadness people use of the Bible. With many religions today, and people being pagan to atheist etc. Does force feeding Bible quotes have any meaning? Its a person’s own salvation what they choose. Most (not all) can say they live 100% to the Bible, but again that is THEIR own choice.
Just like people are born black, white or how about blue eyes or brown eyes, people are born what they are. You dont just make yourself gay. Some might experience it and like it but why am I to judge that. I dont want people questioning my wife and me cause were boy and girl.
In this case using the Bible is like getting pulled over by the police.. You say “look officer they are doing this and that?” the officer going to say “im here about you”. So we all are on the highway of life all with different cars, trucks etc now lets learn to drive together.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Judge not as ye not be judged.
I can’t begin to describe how refreshing it is to read this article. As a gay man from southern Indiana, I remember the fear I experienced before coming out. I am a Christian and was heavily involved in my church family at home and even when moving to Boston, I was a member of a church plant. While in these settings, I faced discrimination from people (sometimes including myself) without anyone realizing I was gay. Fear kept me from being open and true to who I was. It is sad that in today’s world in the USA we still see this ignorance and discrimination and worse yet, when people use God to try and justify it. If you are a true Christ follower, you know that God judges and not you. We are to live as Jesus lived and loved. We see him in the Bible modeling for us what that means. The next time you cast a stone at someone, ask yourself if Jesus would turn to you and say “well done my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Just remember to those of you that feel afraid or not sure what life has in store as a member of the lgbtq community, people out there care about you. If you find yourself in a tough spot in life, reach out. You are not alone and someone somewhere has experienced similar things and can help. Lastly don’t lash out at those people who don’t understand. I have learned in my experience that this causes a lot more harm than good. People become defensive when they feel threatened. If we want change, we have to show that we stand strong and won’t be moved by people that don’t have an opened heart to understanding. If someone slaps you, turn your check to the other side. Show that no hit will take you down because you can be confident that you are loved and you belong.
Also I have to say that my experience has told me that many people who throw out bible verses and discriminate, most likely are experiencing their own inner turmoil. Not saying they are wrestling with being gay (in my life and many others I know- this was the case however), but remember they have their own demons they are working through so show grace towards them as hard as it is.
It’s always about the sex though. Everytime a fundamentalist thinks about a gay person it always seems to fit one mold…a sex crazed male. It’s never a person in love with another person, or a person devoted to another person, or a person who is fully committed to another person.
And every single bible quote always seems to deal with man on man sexual intercourse…never once did Leviticus write ” a woman who lies with a woman as a man”. In all the translations and interpretations since the dead sea scrolls, nobody ever thought to specify or make it plain in the text? Do you guys not really care as much if 2 ladies want to lay together? Seems like there’s always been a reverse glass ceiling on that one among Christian hardliners. The preoccupation seems to be with gay male sex, and that to me says more about the homophobes real fears and motivations than anything they may quote from their good book.
Also, I forgot what leviticus permits as far as slave-owning rules, and anxious to hear how that’s any more or less relevant these days than the rules against a guy loving another guy!
Raj and SE,
I have learned that one cannot argue with true believers or zealots and expect to win. I have only so many calories of indignation to burn, and I have moved on to other issues where I might be able to move the needle a bit in the immediate future — as in the decision we have to make in November.
As to the LGBT issue, I take solace and satisfaction in knowing that the tide of history has turned as rapidly as it has. My own children, who are in their mid-twenties, look at me and ask why in the world people are even arguing about this.
To you naysayers: Behold the vision of the future.
S.N
“People are even arguing about this” because it is being legislated – forced – into every aspect of our politically correct culture and society. You can’t legislate or force people to think certain ways or accept things they do not want. As for “the vision of the future” there have been plenty of them down through the years and this one is no different.
Mrs. Green,
You’re right. Legislation cannot force people “to think certain ways”. The purpose of legislation is to insure that the rights of minorities are guaranteed under the law. You can think that African Americans, for example, should not be able to eat at the same restaurants, attend the same schools, use the same restrooms, apply for the same jobs as white people. No law can prevent you from harboring those opinions. But under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, you cannot, by your conduct, violate those rights, think what you may.
As to “political correctness,” this has become rather stale and tiresome. All manner of right wing politicians falling all over themselves to be the first to declare that the are not “politically correct.” It’s all become such a bore. It is now “politically correct” to declare that you are not “politically correct.”
But honestly, when is one of you hardliners going to explain to me the difference in the rules for owning slaves versus the rules for sexual activities as outlined in Leviticus? I mean if you’re all going to use it as a reason for outlawing two men loving each other, I am dying to know why you’re all not losing your minds over the abolition of slave trading in America. Same book, same time period, same author, so it must logically carry the same weight to Christians as the prohibition of man on man intercouse. Love to hear a response from anyone on this!!!