Secrets of the City

Online high schools always trouble me and, from what I’ve heard, they’re not that great. Also, while I think the aims of this school, connecting young GLBT students is great, I would agree with the professor who suggests that it is much better to have the students in a regular high school setting. I just can’t really figure out how a virtual high school for GLBT students is any different (for the most part) from any other virtual high school. A physical school, on the other hand would be outstanding. Is there one in town?

Well, if I were a rural GLBTQ youth, without nearby community, feeling alienated and threatened in a public school, I would welcome this place. I can see how Mr. Johnson (in a metropolitan area like the twin cities) may not understand how alienated GLBTQ youth in other places can be.

Btw, Max, the link goes to TwinCities.com; not the Strib.

ST. PAUL GETS NO RESPECT!!!

Also, there is a (physical) GLBTQ school in NYC.
The Harvey Milk High School.
http://www.hmi.org/Page.aspx?pid=230

Heh – am I the only one that is amused that the headline and article says “GLTBQ” and Max uses “LGBT”?

Lesbians finally get to you Max?

They got to me long ago.

PiPress misattribution corrected.

In urbia/suburbia, there really is no excuse for any LGBT to attend a brick-n-mortar school regardless of the degree one is “out.” High school is as much social as it academic (which is why I wonder about the social skills of home-schooled youth), but I can see how valuable online education could be for someone living in a more isolated, rural situation.

Education gives you only what you put into learning — whether the school has four walls or exists solely online. Properly guided, monitored and graded, online learning is hardly different from being home-schooled or studying for a GED … except that there is no real human contact online. But for someone who is afraid or unable to sit in a classroom — because of their sexuality, lack of social skills, etc. — online might be the only viable method for them to get their diploma.

there really is no excuse for any LGBT to NOT attend a brick-n-mortar school regardless of the degree one is “out.”

What the hell is a Q? Qs are popping up everywhere these days – MPR, at the end of the gay acronym. QQQQQQQ

Really?

It stands for Queer.

Over the course of the past two years, while a friend was researching LGBT educators for her doctorate, I’ve seen the acronym evolve from GLBT to LGBT and, now, LGBTQ. Why does “Q” have to be in there at all? Isn’t it redundant?

So it’s now the MPR News Queer?

I’ve noticed that home schooled/online high schoolers social skills are not up to par compared to those who go to a actual high school. I think these kids who want to go to an online HS should suck it up and not be a pansy. Also, wouldn’t it give them more opportunity to slack off?

The Q means Questioning.

So it’s now the MPR News Queer?

Given public broadcasting’s penchant for things “British,” I would guess the MPR News “Q” is the person responsible for inventing secret weapons for inventing the news, i.e. John Cleese!

I think these kids who want to go to an online HS should suck it up and not be a pansy. Also, wouldn’t it give them more opportunity to slack off?

That is a poor choice of words. I’m going to let you do that one over again.

just sayin..

Yeah, that totally was not the correct response.

Yeah, can’t they go to brick n mortar high school and still be pansies?

Q could stand for questioning as well. Which is why you see ‘QQ’ on some versions. You could also see ‘A’ for ‘allies’…

“G” and “L” are redundant. “B” is also redundant (you’re gay get over it). Gays and Transsexuals have some similar legal and acceptance challenges which is why “T” is part of it (some valid some not)

(have I mentioned how much I hate that damn acronym and the hundred variations of it?)

Now that I’ve finished my rant. As a gay guy who grow up in woodbury during the 80s I found a lot of excellent friends online (back in the day they were BBS’s). But the fact that I went to a high school with a diversity of people (at least back then) taught me how to deal and interact with different groups of people (does it show?). So I am always leary of schools that serve just one segment of society (gay, religious, etc). Eventually you have to go out in the real world and deal with it.

“Gay” is used almost exclusively now when referring to males; “L” is obviously female-oriented. That’s why both are used in the acronym. Thanks for the “Q” clarification. “Questioning” does make sense.

While I understand gay teens may feel more comfortable in a situation where they won’t be harassed, I gotta say they’re possibly depriving the straights by their absence. I didn’t have any gay classmates in High School (as far as I knew) and had to wait till college to be exposed to their fabulousness (and even then, it was on the DL because Sioux Falls isn’t exactly gay friendly most of the time). It’s a shame that kids are being deprived of diversity because a few assholes can’t handle two guys holding hands.

I should clarify, my college classmates were on the DL, our friendships weren’t.

Secret weapons to invent the news. I like that!

Also, I’d like to ad “S” to the mix to stand for “Sure” and represent people who are sure about their sexuality. So that’s GLBTQQS.

I once saw a license plate that said, DWNLW. Worst.

Better than one that reads BEARD, I suppose.

How about GLBTQQSWFABK?

(GLBTQQSWouldFuckAnythingButKwatt)

That seems to be what everyone is.

LGBTRC (LGBTRollerCoaster).

And, no, it involves nothing and no one from Wisconsin.

I still think we can make the acronym more accepted by hetero males by changing it to BLT-G. Who doesn’t like a BLT.

Oh and shopgirl totally vindicated me with her naive uninformed comments.