Anti-LGBTQ Attacks Leave Washington School in Turmoil

[Celerity]

A brutal fight and shooting threat in the midst of a student-led protest have shaken the Kalama School District.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/anti-lgbtq-attacks-leave-washington-kalama-high-school-school-in-turmoil



Police have arrested a high school student in Washington on hate crime charges for allegedly assaulting a non-binary classmate in a vicious attack at school—but the arrest only came after a student-led protest that was itself the target of more anti-LGBTQ hate. The 16-year student at Kalama High School was arrested this week for allegedly starting a brutal fight with a classmate, local news outlet KPTV reported.

Natasha Wheeler, the parent of the student assaulted, told The Daily Beast Friday that the incident was the culmination of mounting threats that all began when her child started a club for LGBTQ+ students. (Wheeler’s son, who does not want to be publicly identified, prefers the pronouns “they” and “them.”)

“The harassment at school, it’s been ongoing for a while. But when [my son] started the club is when it got real severe and they started targeting all these kids,” Wheeler said. “They pick on any[one who’s] different.” In a video obtained by KPTV, Wheeler’s child and the 16-year-old student can be seen exchanging punches. The outlet reported that the Kalama Police Department said the suspect used homophobic slurs before allegedly kicking his victim in the head.

“That kid broke his hand on my kid’s skull and knocked [them] out,” Wheeler said. “Then, he stood up and kicked [them] in the head and said, ‘How do you like that?’ with an F-slur.” The attack, and the school district’s failure to prevent a culture of hate, prompted students to stage a protest at school Monday; yet, the demonstration was disrupted by another student who allegedly threatened to shoot the participants, resulting in a district-wide lockdown and yet another arrest.

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[IngridsLittleAngel]

1. Stochastic terrorism. A nation of hate.

We rode in on white horses, claiming to "liberate" and "free" the Middle East, fighting to put an end to terror there. No more human rights violations. No more hate. No more terror.

All the while... We're now becoming the very thing we once claimed to fight. A terrorist nation, filled with hate, fueled by bigotry. Where LGBTQ students are at risk of being targeted and beaten. When students stand up and speak up and walk out, some incel threatens to shoot them.

We allegedly made the Middle East safer... As we became more dangerous. More guns than brains. 24/7 hate on TV and radio and online.

Thanks QOP. Thanks Fux. Thanks Comrade Covfefe.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

2. Lock the little fascist terrorists up, one by one, and give them maximum prison time.

Make an example of them. We need to stop this madness before it spreads any further.

Can't shoot anyone from a prison cell.

[gulliver]

3. I don't know why we need sex- or religion-oriented "clubs" at public schools.

I know we have them, and it would be hard to talk people out of having "Christian prayer clubs" and so forth. But these are public schools, and they should be there to teach. Cops and teachers are stuck in a war zone right now.

[yardwork]

4. This post is really insensitive.

The reason that teens need LGBT clubs in school is to have a place where they can relax for a minute and be themselves. Suicide rates are very high among gay youth, because of the exhausting, dehumanizing hatred and vile attacks on gay people that they hear every single day. Feeling safe for an hour a week IS necessary for learning.

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you're a decent person who simply doesn't realize how important this is, but I sincerely hope that you read up on this and become more enlightened.

[yardwork]

5. And they're not "sex" oriented clubs.

Believe it or not.

[Coventina]

6. Club work is a really important application builder for college. n/t

[gulliver]

7. Spanish club, math club, writing club, reading club...

I agree.

[NCLefty]

8. The clubs are for kids to bond with each other.

The problem here is the judgmental and hypocritical bigots that are being used by politicians. Again.