[BomoLad]

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/11/01...void-bullying/

From my wonderful county of birth.

A schoolchild bullied over their sexuality claims a teacher advised them to act “less gay”.

The statement was included in a report for Essex County Council following a specialist conference for teachers and pupils at the Young Essex Assembly to discuss their day to day experiences of bullying in schools.

[mirrorimage]

When Mr Miyagi entered Daniel-San for the Tournament, the solution wasn't ideal, but he was right when he stated "Just saved-a you from two months-a beating!"

[TheMagic8ball]

I'm not touching this one.

[Ted Cunterblast]

Well, the first thing to notice about this story is that the phrase 'act less gay' is in parentheses...which usually denotes a phrase that is alleged to have been said, but not as yet proven or substantiated.

[The Vixen]

Originally Posted by BomoLad

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/11/01...void-bullying/

From my wonderful county of birth.

1. Unnamed school.

2. Unnamed child.

3. I totally believe this has happened and it is a disgrace.

I hope the child comes forward as a result of this and action is taken against the teacher. What a moron! If someone is being bullied it is the bully who needs to act less like a thug.

[Bedsit Bob]

Originally Posted by Ted Cunterblast

is in parentheses...which usually denotes a phrase that is alleged to have been said, but not as yet proven or substantiated.

I understood parentheses were used to signify a direct quote.

[Butcher Bill]

Originally Posted by TheMagic8ball

I'm not touching this one.

My wife said that this morning.

[The Vixen]

Originally Posted by Butcher Bill

My wife said that this morning.

Shower you might get lucky tomorrow.

[Killer Gorilla]

What do they mean by "act less gay"?

[Old ma oggy]

Originally Posted by Killer Gorilla

What do they mean by "act less gay"?

Perhaps they break in to song every 5 minutes.

[Merel]

Originally Posted by Killer Gorilla

What do they mean by "act less gay"?

Less camp presumably?

If any of this is remotely true I would imagine that a well wishing, albeit misguided teacher may suggest to the pupil that they should try not to make themselves stand out from the crowd, to be less likely to be teased or bullied.

[The Terminator]

Originally Posted by Ted Cunterblast

Well, the first thing to notice about this story is that the phrase 'act less gay' is in parentheses...which usually denotes a phrase that is alleged to have been said, but not as yet proven or substantiated.

Parentheses are brackets. "Act less gay" is in quotation marks. Can you guess what those mean?

[Merel]

Originally Posted by The Terminator

Parentheses are brackets. "Act less gay" is in quotation marks. Can you guess what those mean?

The only thing that is quoted from the report is "less gay". This doesn't mean the teacher said it, it means the phrase is written in the report because this is what the pupil stated the teacher said to them.

The words aren't a direct quote from the teacher and have most likely been taken out of context.

[CABLEDUDE]

It should be the bullies being punished not the boy, and I say this as being slightly camp myself

[BomoLad]

Originally Posted by Merel

The only thing that is quoted from the report is "less gay". This doesn't mean the teacher said it, it means the phrase is written in the report because this is what the pupil stated the teacher said to them.

The words aren't a direct quote from the teacher and have most likely been taken out of context.

Give me an example of an alternative context then that would be different to what was used in the article?

[Aneechik]

On the one hand, it's fairly reasonable advice to say to a child not to do something other children perceive as negative. These aren't adults we're talking about, they're children and they act irrationally.

On the other hand, the bullying itself should also be challenged as, again, they're children and should be corrected when they misbehave.

I wouldn't trust anything I read on Pink News anyway, it really is a piece of shit that relies on soft targets, hyperbole and misquotes.

[The Vixen]

Originally Posted by Merel

The only thing that is quoted from the report is "less gay". This doesn't mean the teacher said it, it means the phrase is written in the report because this is what the pupil stated the teacher said to them.

The words aren't a direct quote from the teacher and have most likely been taken out of context.

"most likely"? How would you know?

I've had many a heated debate with the gay community on DS but I have also had a child bullied due to autism and been on the receiving end of the most crass comments by teachers who just don't get autism and how that leaves you vulnerable to bullying.

It's not that uncommon for the teachers to try to change the behaviour of the victim rather than kick the bullies ass metaphorically of course.

[Aneechik]

Originally Posted by The Vixen

It's not that uncommon for the teachers to try to change the behaviour of the victim rather than kick the bullies ass metaphorically of course.

There are two sides to that though. If a child goes to a teacher for advice and asks "what can I do to stop them picking on me?", the teacher should tell them. If the only course of action they espouse is that the victim should never change behaviour that can and does cause a negative reaction, it hardly equips them for adult life when they're outside of school and have to make decisions on their own safety without the protection of structured authority.

No-one's saying the bullies shouldn't also be challenged, but everyone ultimately has to protect themselves and part of a child's upbringing is giving them the knowledge to be able to make those decisions.

[stud u like]

So if we have to act less gay, heterosexuals should act less straight.

[mirrorimage]

Originally Posted by Aneechik

There are two sides to that though. If a child goes to a teacher for advice and asks "what can I do to stop them picking on me?", the teacher should tell them. If the only course of action they espouse is that the victim should never change behaviour that can and does cause a negative reaction, it hardly equips them for adult life when they're outside of school and have to make decisions on their own safety without the protection of structured authority.

No-one's saying the bullies shouldn't also be challenged, but everyone ultimately has to protect themselves and part of a child's upbringing is giving them the knowledge to be able to make those decisions.

I don't think I have read a single post of yours that didn't impress me with your logical and calm approach to just about any topic. Very well said.

[mirrorimage]

Originally Posted by stud u like

So if we have to act less gay, heterosexuals should act less straight.

If we were getting picked on because of it, I would probably say that was good advice. Not the ideal, but good advice anyway.

[The Vixen]

Originally Posted by Aneechik

There are two sides to that though. If a child goes to a teacher for advice and asks "what can I do to stop them picking on me?", the teacher should tell them. If the only course of action they espouse is that the victim should never change behaviour that can and does cause a negative reaction, it hardly equips them for adult life when they're outside of school and have to make decisions on their own safety without the protection of structured authority.

No-one's saying the bullies shouldn't also be challenged, but everyone ultimately has to protect themselves and part of a child's upbringing is giving them the knowledge to be able to make those decisions.

Context is all I do agree.

[RussellIan]

Originally Posted by Killer Gorilla

What do they mean by "act less gay"?

They probably meant 'gay' as in 'worthless' or 'silly', which is what it apparently justifiably means now given that 'language evolves'.

[Merel]

Originally Posted by BomoLad

Give me an example of an alternative context then that would be different to what was used in the article?

The quoted term: "less gay" could mean anything. These are the only words from the county council's whole report that were used in the article, and many publications like to take quotes out of context to fit the story. We are given no background, no counter argument, no explanation of who's words are being used, no mention of the words immediately before and after. That's what I mean by taking out of context.

If you need an example, the teacher may have said mentioned to the child that bullies are targeting him because he stands out, and the child has immediately taken that to mean he or she should act "less gay".

[Eric the Fish]

Originally Posted by mirrorimage

When Mr Miyagi entered Daniel-San for the Tournament, the solution wasn't ideal, but he was right when he stated "Just saved-a you from two months-a beating!"

You sir are a genius.