Though now-a-days, I’ve slipped into using “that’s so gay”. My roommates, too, and we’re all about as lesbian as they come.

That’s not to say that that sort of language is appropriate in schools, though. WHEN are the school going to get their lazy asses in gear and adopt a zero-tolerance for bullying policy???

I have fostered 16 kids over the past six years — a lot of them in middle or high school. I found that the atmosphere in the area that I’m in (Houston) was over-the-top accepting of the children’s sexuality.

As a parent it kind of bothered me because I don’t think that they should be having sex with ANYONE (of their own sex or any other sex for that matter) at the age that they are.

I can’t believe that this liberal old lesbian parent has become so old-school. I have always told my children this one thing: “I don’t care if you like girls, guys or goats, you’re not allowed to have sex with any of them until you’ve matured mentally.”

Being gay seems to have become the fashion here in our area. I know that with the teenage years comes the exploration into sex and sexuality, but I do not believe that there is a single adult among us who believes that what they believed was best for them in high school is the same as what they now know what would have been best for them now.

Being gay is an acceptance of who you are on the inside. I see far too many children who are being “gay” just to push the envelope and rebel. I do not believe that ANY child should have to undergo harassment. No one should be allowed to tell another what religion to be, what language to speak, what person to fall in love with, what size jeans to wear, what color their hair should be or anything else.

School officials should give up their cloaks of righteousness and begin to show the courage to stand up to the parents who are truly behind this behavior. Separation of church and state my toosh. There is none these days.

Children should be taught to be loving, accepting and tolerant or they will not make it in the world that they will grow in to when they mature. It is up to the adults to teach these lessons. It is also up to the parents to teach their children that their bodies are important and should be a treasure that they give only when they have the maturity to handle the outcomes of what they do with it.

Sorry to rant, I was a VERY promiscuous teenager. I gave myself to others because I was seeking love. I didn’t realize until years later what the giving up of my body was doing to my psyche. I wish for all teenagers the wisdom to believe in themselves to the extent that they no longer feel the need to be accepted by anyone else.

Kelli Lowery

“Incident Findings:
While I find Stephen to be very credible, we were unable to independently verify that any of the employees identified, Matt C——, B— L——- or Jason W——, made the comment about not getting on the elevator “with that fag”. Other than B—-, it is unclear whether Jason W—– or Matt C—– know Stephen or have an opinion about his sexuality. All of these employees admitted that they went down to the lobby on Friday afternoon to get a soda about the time Stephen indicates he saw them coming through the security turnstile behind him. Further, Matt, Jason and B—- admitted to using the term “gay” in their banter with each other. Jason indicated that the term “fag” may have also been used in their joking and bantering. However, all individuals were adamant that they never directed the term toward any individual or intended to offend anyone. They all appeared surprised and concerned that their comments may have been overheard by and offended someone, although they recognized that that was a possibility as Jason noted that his voice carries. I find their statements that they did not direct their comments toward any specific individual to be credible, finding their behavior to be immature, rather than harassing. Therefore, I do not believe that their conduct rises to the level of creating a hostile and intimidating work environment. Their conduct is, however, inappropriate in the workplace and, if continued, could create a hostile work environment I had requested Nick V———— to speak to his staff after the last incident was reported by Stephen to his supervisor to remind them about the use of language, comments and terms that might be offensive to others in the workplace. Unfortunately, Nick did not speak to his staff or the latest incident might have been avoided. Also, it appears that, once made aware, these employees will be more aware of and circumspect in their conversations and comments.
Recommendation:
I do not believe that discipline is warranted at this time. However, it appears that all these employees, Matt C—–, Jason W—— and B— need to be reminded of appropriate conduct in the workplace. I recommend that they be required to meet with me and Nick V———- to go over the Department’s harassment policy to remind them of appropriate conduct in the workplace and the types of behavior that can be considered offensive to others.
I would also remind them that retaliation is unlawful. Finally, I will determine whether Stephen would like to sit down with them as they have expressed an interest in apologizing to Stephen and I would like to see Stephen comfortable again in this environment as he is a valued employee.”