Our high school in Union City, California (in the San Francisco Bay Area, south of Oakland) has more than 3,800 students, and boasts one of the most diverse student populations in the country. "Diversity is our strength, unity our goal" is the school motto. Nonetheless, there is still so much work to do in order to accomplish that goal. Case in point: To my knowledge, there are only three "out" students in the entire school, although a few more dare to be out in the safe space we create after school in our Gay Straight Alliance Club. Indeed, during a class discussion last year on the National Day of Silence, we had a silent discussion on the white board, and my students shared that gay boys in particular continue to be harassed, and so most remain closeted. This is unhealthy for them, and for the rest of the straight student population as well.
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Our high school in Union City, California (in the San Francisco Bay Area, south of Oakland) has more than 3,800 students, and boasts one of the most diverse student populations in the country. "Diversity is our strength, unity our goal" is the school motto. Nonetheless, there is still so much work to do in order to accomplish that goal. Case in point: To my knowledge, there are only three "out" students in the entire school, although a few more dare to be out in the safe space we create after school in our Gay Straight Alliance Club. Indeed, during a class discussion last year on the National Day of Silence, we had a silent discussion on the white board, and my students shared that gay boys in particular continue to be harassed, and so most remain closeted. This is unhealthy for them, and for the rest of the straight student population as well.
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