Teacher's Bullying as 'Gay' Led to Suicide Try, Student Says

[Swede Atlanta]

12. Educators and others in a position of trust with minors....

must park their personal political and religious views at the door if they serve in a public capacity. The line is probably more difficult to draw if the school is a religious school, etc. but if a public institution, there should be zero tolerance.

First of all the student may not be gay. But whether he is or not, he is entitled to be treated with respect because the purpose of education is to teach. While concepts of honesty, fairness and morality are not totally disconnected from one's educational journey, they cannot tread on issues that are highly controversial such as the morality or immorality of homosexuality.

As a gay man, I did not experience harassment from teachers. I was heckled a bit by classmates as a "fag" but that was long before I even knew what that meant. This was back in the early 70s.

I respect the decision of their attorney not to include the teacher in the suit but in my view he should be sued, not as revenge but to serve as a reminder to both him and others that such treatment is not acceptable.