May 19th, 2009
Posted by Paul Cates, LGBT Project at 3:49pm	LGBT Rights

High School Matadors Y Matadoras

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a classroom discussion on bullying at the University of Puerto Rico High School in San Juan. Our Puerto Rico chapter is working with a number of students at the school who have developed a very effective anti-bullying presentation. I got to see the presentation being given to a 10th grade history class of about 25 students.

The class was mostly in Spanish, so I won’t pretend that I understood everything that was said. But it was clear that the two seniors leading the discussion, Gabriella and Jean Paul, really knew how to engage the students.

They started with a handout asking the students to mark the ideal qualities they were looking for in a boyfriend or girlfriend. The handout included categories such as skin color, hair style, nationality, and “style,” which included rocker, surfer and preppy among others. It also included sexual orientation, listing gay, straight and indifferent – the teacher explained that one, which she compared to being like a plant.

Gabriella and Jean Paul

It’s been a while since I was in a classroom of 10th graders, so I really didn’t know what to expect when the subject of sexual orientation came up. There was no laughter or finger pointing. In fact, it wasn’t a big deal at all, really putting some perspective on all the fuss around rainbows.

Gabriella’s and Jean Paul’s presentation included some powerful examples of the real dangers of bullying. They showed the YouTube video of Florida teen Victoria Lindsay being ambushed and beaten by some of her classmates. They let me talk about 11-year-olds Carl Walker-Hoover from Massachusetts and Jaheem Herrera from Atlanta who took their own lives back in April after facing anti-gay bullying at their schools. The teacher talked about an instance at the school of a student attempting suicide over restroom graffiti.

They summed up the discussion by talking about Law 49, which, if it passes, will require schools in Puerto Rico to be much more vigilant about protecting students from bullying and harassment.

After class Gabriella told me that bullying at the school was worst among the 10th graders. You could tell she was genuinely concerned whether her presentation had made a difference. But it was clear to me that it already had. Kids were clamoring for the anti-bullying bracelets they handed out. The bracelets read, “No seas buey, Alto al bullying,” or “Don’t be a bull, Stop the bullying.” By standing up for something they believed in, she and Jean Paul had gained the respect of the 10th graders and reached the students in a way adults never could.

Permalink |	LGBT Rights

Tags: students' rights, youth

1. SJV Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 3:44pm

   I truly wish you guys would just go away, and I believe that time will come. If you people and others like you do not like this country and what it stands for and all the other freedoms we enjoy as " ONE NATION UNDER GOD" Please you have the permission from the rest of us to leave! If you can find a better place to live :) Thank you and I approve this message.

2. Roger Williams Says:
   May 19th, 2009 at 10:18pm

   Where were you when Miss California was brutalized by that gay judge bastart??
   She was totally discrased for her openion! If you don't want her answer don't ask her a question you gay fucker.
   the aclu needs to go away you are a harmful bunch of fuckers get out of my country.

3. L.R.Jason Says:
   May 20th, 2009 at 1:48am

   Where's my last comment ? Can't stand the truth? WEll I hope you post it later!If not' I'll be back.

4. roald Says:
   May 20th, 2009 at 1:03pm

   SJV...How dare you pretend that you speak for me. Do you have any idea what this nation stands for. Read the Constitution and a few history books.

   The one nation line was added in the 1950s in reaction to the Red scare people like you foisted on us to keep us divided.

   Roger...Freedom of speech does not include preventing others from reacting to what they hear, similar to your ability to post your opinions on the ACLU site and similar to my being able to call you out.

   By the way, I would like to see the sales receipt that proves this is your country.

5. Paen Says:
   May 20th, 2009 at 1:30pm

   Big surprise:The wing nuts are pro bullying.

6. LRJason Says:
   May 20th, 2009 at 10:22pm

   can you hear me now?

7. Maggie Says:
   May 21st, 2009 at 8:33am

   I am a little confused. Was this story about bullying everyone or just for gay bullying?

   The beginning seemed to encompass all bullying. But as you got further in the story it appeared to be just gays?

   I believe all bullying is ugly an that is what should be addressed. Not just singling out gay bullying.

8. roald Says:
   May 25th, 2009 at 5:13pm

   Maggie...The story is about bullying. There was one example, the writer's, of gays being the targets.

   You are correct that bullying is ugly and we should all do what we can to end it.

9. marcella Says:
   Jun 28th, 2009 at 5:40pm

   my daughter was bullied in school and now suffers with depression she is in the homebound program. what can you do to help these children before they commit suicide and murder. the school officials did nothing and even called the police on me when i tried to register her for school.

10. marcella Says:
    Jun 28th, 2009 at 5:47pm

    she was told not to tell me by the asst principal. what should i have done to protect my child. kill them?

11. GR Says:
    Oct 21st, 2009 at 7:45pm

    Fuck you guys!! You guys don't speak for me!! Get the fuck out of my country all you pieces of shit!!

12. GR Says:
    Oct 21st, 2009 at 7:47pm

    You guys stand for everything that is wrong in this country, you fucks!!