Permission to be Gay
| Published 12/10/04

Graphic by: Doni Neel

Copper Hills High School Principal Tom Worlton has only recently agreed to review his policy of requiring gay students to have permission slips in order to bring their partner to school dances. Worlton says that he is only trying to alert parents to what dangers their children may face.

He is attempting to inform the parents of threats, ridicule, and possible dangers of the lifestyle. He contends that he is not trying to exclude anyone from attending the dances or save the school from liability.

Homosexuality is at the center of more and more public debates. The best estimation of the reason is confusion. No one knows for sure if homosexuality is a genetic disposition or if it is a learned behavior. Hence, it is in the nature of humans to refuse things they do not understand. This situation shows Tom Worlton acting more on the side of homosexuals than against them. He is trying to help students preempt the challenges that come with their choice of lifestyle rather than making their choice for them.

Many students protested the policy until they were given a chance to speak with their principal. Parents are on both sides of the fence. Some appreciate the efforts of the school to protect their children, and others oppose the policy as a form of discrimination. Worlton has agreed to review the policy in time for prom.

  It is forgotten that these students do not have the legal right to proclaim anything for themselves until they are 18 years of age or emancipated. Young people in this country have the lowest voter turnout, despite ridiculous programs like P. Diddy's "Vote or Die." Lawmakers see it necessary to write off this group of people. It is acceptable for a young person to die for their country in war, and it is okay for young people to vote for the leader of the free world. However, it is not acceptable for them to walk into a bar and buy a drink.

It is the responsibility of this generation to be the talking heads on the news and to be the protestors in D.C. Those who care enough to act have the right to speak. Those who do not should just ride along with their mouths shut.