Dear students and faculty of Los Gatos High School,
Would you call a black person the n-word? No, because it’s racist and unacceptable. In the spirit of anti-discrimination, we demand the end to using anti-gay slurs. When you say “that’s so gay” or “fag” or “dyke”, you don’t realize who hears it around you and who it is hurting. Its just the same as using the n-word. You’re discriminating against a person for something they did not ask for and cannot change—sexuality. Sexual orientation, whether it be gay, straight, or bisexual, is not chosen, just as the color of someone’s skin is not chosen. We will not stand for this discrimination and we will stop at nothing until our goal is reached—a safe school environment where no one has to avoid going to school in fear of harassment.
We’re not asking for your permission or your opinion. We don’t have to explain ourselves and we certainly don’t need your approval. It’s a right, not a privilege to be who we are.
We are sick of the hateful words and homophobic slurs. We are tired of the name calling and bullying that goes on right under the noses of school faculty. We will no longer stand by and let bullies have their way while we suffer in silence.
Who are we? We are the students of Los Gatos High School. We come from all groups and stereotypes: gays, straights, loners, jocks, bank geeks, theater kids, Asians, whites, Mexicans, Christians, Atheists, scholars, punks, emos, goths, and nerds united under one cause. Not an academic subject or a sport interest, but a passion—a passion for acceptance, equality, love, and respect for all people, regardless of their differences. We are here to be the change and make a difference.
Sincerely,
Your Gay-Straight Alliance
