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WTHR
Diana Medley, a special-education teacher at a different school, said Sunday, Feb. 10, that allowing gay and lesbian students to attend the prom at Sullivan High School is "offensive to us."
Students and the principal at an Indiana high school are disavowing a campaign by parents to organize a "gay-free" prom.
Even the pastor of the church that hosted the original organizing meeting says the church doesn't back the effort to throw a straights-only prom for students at Sullivan High School in Sullivan, Ind., south of Terre Haute.
The movement began after Principal David Springer was asked to clarify whether same-sex couples would be allowed to take part in the traditional grand march before the prom, which is scheduled for April 27.
"Anybody can go to the prom," Springer told NBC station WTHR of Indianapolis. "Of course, a girl could go out with another girl if they didn't have a date or that was their choice."
One of those attending the small gathering of parents Sunday night at Sullivan First Christian Church was Diana Medley, a special-education teacher at another school, North Central Junior/Senior High School, in nearby Farmersburg.
Allowing gay and lesbian students to attend the prom is "offensive to us," said Medley, who told NBC station WTWO of Terre Haute that even though she doesn't agree with them, she does care for "homosexual students" who come to her with their problems.
Then, Medley created a firestorm of criticism by equating gay and lesbian teenagers to students with developmental disabilities.
"It's the same thing with my special-needs kids," she said. "I think God puts everyone in our lives for a reason."
Asked whether gays and lesbians have any "purpose in life," she replied:
"No, I honestly don't. Sorry, but I don't. I don't understand it."
Commentators from across the country weighed in to criticize Medley, including syndicated columnist Dan Savage, who publicized a petition to have Medley fired.
Dale Wise, senior minister at Sullivan First Christian Church, was quick to distance himself from the sentiment.
"Our church has no involvement in this whatsoever. It's a community thing where people have met here," he told WTWO.
Jim Davis of Sullivan declared that "we shouldn't be condemning people, and that's what judgment is."
"Christ came to save the people, not to condemn them," he told WTWO. "Love them as a person. You don't have to love what they do, because the gays may not love all the mistakes you make."
Emily Butler, a junior at Sullivan High, said: "You should be able to go with whoever you want. You shouldn't be discriminated against for what you are, what you believe in."
Even Wyatt Land, a Sullivan student who said it was important to remember that "the Bible says for a man to love another woman," told WTHR that he thought gay and lesbian classmates should be welcome at the official prom.
"As long as they aren't sitting there and kissing on the dance floor and grinding on each other, stuff like that, I don't have a problem with that," he said. "I don't see what's wrong with it. Prom is for everybody. It's a high school experience."
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I feel a sign of hope for the next generation when the students rebel and win against trying to make their chhildren believe their ignorant views. We will never change the minds of those who feel such hatred (God help their "Christian" souls) toward the different (oh, until they have a gay child or niece/nephew) in their life but we can applaud those who openly revolt against it.
WOW listen to all this crap now that the shoe is on the other foot. Diana Medley, you have every right to stand up and voice your opinion and more power to you for doing so! The rest of these so called enlightened persons on these comment pages seem to have lost their so, so thin veneer of civility, understanding, and support for everyone's right to speak their mind that they so tirelessly espouse in the rest of us face.
For the most part you people are nothing but loud mouth bigots so quick to criticize yet so slow to clean your own houses.
By the way just what is anyone's purpose in life? Perhaps that idiot reporter should have asked do the gays and lesbians have any purpose in this society because in the grand scheme of things we are all nothing but little piss ants mucking about that when it is all said and done don't amount to a thing.
She has every right to voice her opinion. But she has no right to rob a girl of her prom because she does not agree with her lifestyle.
Now we have a liberal starting a petition to fire Ms. Medley. You know, she's not entitled to her opinion--if it differs from the liberal view. And the pastors? Sad that they are whitewashing and diluting the word of God. Their parishoners should start a petition to rid the church of their politically correct, Biblically incorrect views. The entire town needs to get behind Ms. Medley and support her. She appears to be the only one who will stand on her convictions; the rest seem to have identified with the book of Revelation, falling into lockstep with--what is right will be perceived as wrong and what is wrong will be perceived as right.
Let's not whitewash the word of God. Let's take Bible family values at face value:
Genesis 19:30-38 Lot and his daughters camp out in a cave for a while. The daughters get their
"just and righteous" father drunk, and have sexual intercourse with him, and
each conceives and bears a son (wouldn't you know it!). Just another wholesome
family values Bible story.
Genesis 22:12 Abraham shows his willingness to kill his son for God. Only an evil God would
ask a father to do that; only a bad father would be willing to do it.
Mark 10:29-30 Jesus will reward men who abandon their wives and families.
Acts 5:1-10 Peter and God scare Ananias and his wife to death for not forking over all of
the money that they made when selling their land.
This is just a taste of the horrors of the "good book."
Yes the Bible tells about what you shouldn't do and why. You shouldn't get drunk or this terrible thing could happen to you if you do. Even though he would never have done this sober his daughters raised by a known harlot got him drunk and did this to him.
Abram was tested to be the leader of the whole world. Even all generations of man to come and the largest religions still follow him. He had to show God came before his own desires. His wife was 100 years old when she had that child and only by the will of God did she have him. The loyalty of our leaders are not tested at all and it shows.
Would he not help those who serve him and if he would see to their needs wouldn't he see to the needs of the families? Food, water and clothes was about all they had in those days of kings and peasants. By his teachings kings seen that Jesus a blood heir to the greatest kingdom of all seen it just to live as a peasant. Many kings freed slaves over this and it was the base for why England worked to end slavery.
Many of the people were sick and starving. They had all agreed to sell their land and property. So they could help the needy and see them through. They were faced with the lie they told and died from the shame. No one scared them. Everyone gave all they had so many staving people would survive. They died of shame because after agreeing they seen the item more important than the lives of people.
@John Doe-2241225 “Tolerance is only agreeing with those who see things your way. I forgot, carry on with imposing you ideals on the rest of the world liberals.” Hmm! The very thing your complaining about is the exact thing your doing! The issue is not whether she agrees with it or not, the issue (if you read the story) is her imposing her religious views on others. So it's ok for you religious nuts to impose your belief's on others? Hey A**hole read the constitution!
I'm glad my porm didn't have any homosexuals in it cuz it would have killed the vibe. You can mix correct behavior with incorrect behavior and expect it to work it doesn't eventually the incorrect hides or leaves. Futhermore, Gays will never be accepted within social-constructs because homosexuality incorrect aka wrong.
If it did do you really think they would have told you given your viewpoint?
#276 Don, did you ever have trouble being accepted by society ("social constructs") because your skin is black?
So you know the feeling?
And I suppose they graduated you. You cannot even write English.
Since when does being straight get you are free pass from discrimination in high school ? Even if a kid is straight, there are tons of things other kids say to hurt them too. The kids who are gay have it tough. High school is just a cess pool for most kids anyway. Very few get out without plenty of scars from their fellow classmates.
But the good thing is , eventually most kids graduate into the real world. (Where there is also hurt and more discrimination.) But, hey, if you learn how to handle it, you win the game.
Its not what others say or do, its how you handle it. HS is just a training ground. Good luck to all.
It certainly won't get you robbed of your prom. Which is what they tried to do to a poor girl.
Sure, they let you go, but plenty of kids get laughed at, criticized, made fun of, etc. Its not fun for a lot of kids. And who can afford it in this economy ? Proms are a joke. An expensive one.
Any discrimination is 100% wrong. But it never stops. People will always hate. Pathetic but true.
Not really i never was a "social butterfly" as they say. But receiving ridicule from fellow students and receiving it from an adult are 2 completely different things, let alone from a teacher.
Diane Medley made a point! "She doesn't understand."
Just curious, has Jake2247 been arrested yet?
For those who do not believe homosexuals exist for a reason, I offer the following quote from the Holy Bible; " You hypocrite, first remove the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." the literal translation is do not condemn your brothers ( and sisters ) for if you do your sin is far greater. I also believe in a " GOD " one that is not separate from me, but part of me as I am part of him/her/it. A god that is far greater than any of this world's past and present 3,000+ religions, a god that is not limited by the scope of man's limited vision. Peace be with you all.
more there are nearly 34,000 types of Christianity alone plus all the other's and their variations.
I have trouble understanding the monicas: There are "gays" and there are "straights" which are used to describe homosexuals and heterosexuals, right? These are supposed to be opposites, right? Isn't the opposite of straight, bent? or warped? or skewed? And isn't the opposite of gay, sad? or unhappy? or depressed?
And, why is it anyone's business what my sexual persuaion is...except for the partner/s I may choose? How does anyone know? I know for a fact I have never said to anyone, "I am straight." Or, "I am gay." so, jus thow does this become an issue?
Oh, that's right, it's another case of some minority trying to force its will upon the entire populace.
Because this poor girl was silly enough to understand that some people have "issues" with it. So she asked the school for permission to bring a girl. But once this bigot and a few other caught wind they raised hell. I guess they figured they would show here for considering others beliefs, she shoulda just sprang it on them.
@281 You know Bart, that if some of the comments were written in a different language, that I couldn't read, none of the words would have any personal meaning to me nor stimulate my mind and emotions. So, to me, basically, gay and straight are just words. Everyone who understands English assigns a meaning to them. They express their personal, emotional meaning to others via dialogue and by writing their viewpoints.
I've just expressed two words that really are the same to me......they're words. I do not personally distinguish anything except that they are different words.
Board folks -- welcome to the mindset of Indiana. Please do not judge us all like the folks in this story. Remember -- it is a red state, where the average person does not have a university education; the Bible is believed, word for word; education in public schools is all about test scores and really nothing about learning how the real world works. Ms. Medley is an idiot -- I would not want her teaching my children. Keep in mind, Indiana wants gay marriage banned as a constitutional amendment. Yes, to keep my sanity because I live and work here, I vacation in blue states. This is just one more media opportunity to demonstrate Indiana at its finest. I apologize for the minority of us who do not hold such beliefs.
You might find it nice to go look at what some of the students had to say. Click on the local story then his original story link on that page and read the comments. There are a few web pages listed there and also comments from some student both there and on the pages listed in the comments. Actual student that go to this school, really nice to see that its a small minority that are actually the bigots.
Diane Medley's going to hell.
For those of you who believe homosexuals are of no value to society I offer this quote; " You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. " This is a quote from the Holy Bible in essence it says if you choose to condemn your brothers ( and sisters ) your sin is greater than whatever you believe their sin is. I am not a Christian, I claim no allegience to any of the gods represented by mankind's 3,000+ religions that have / and do exist in this world. The " God " I believe in is not separate from me, I am part of him/her/it as " he " is part of me, with none of the human failings of the religious gods.
Someday this world may learn how not to hate so much. Someday this world may stop being so closed minded. Someday we may learn to live in peace. Someday it will not matter what color your skin is. Someday it wont matter what way one chooses to worship God. Someday it wont matter who we choise to love. Someday it wont matter if we're a man or a woman. When someday comes it will be a happier world to live in. To bad someday cant be today.
Someday everyone will be a faggot and the procreation of babies will no longer come to be, and if it was to happen via turkey basting style, the liberals would of made abortion mandatory law.
Your way of thinking is why someday will not be today.
@285 Isis1
I think what you wrote was outstanding! It WILL be a wonderful day when it all changes.....some day.
Why don't you think about using your real name. There's no longer a need in this forum to stay behind a coded word. Without realizing it, perhaps using a "user name" that you make up, could be like staying in the closet. If you're existence takes you back to the 50's, remember the song "Green Door?" Then in the 80's, Zebra's thoughts, in a song, about "Who's Behind The Door."
If we feel we are presenting worthwhile, helpful thoughts, we should be proud of our "intellectual property!"
Take care, and I hope I'm still here when it all might change.
Again with all this Gay stuff so why is it so hard for some to comprehend that not everyone agrees with the Gay lifestyle? Gays want respect but yet don't give it so maybe its time for them to open up their closed minds and now individuals with handicaps have been included so when is all this going to end? Some don't believe in God nor the Bible so are people losing their minds? Gays should not be allowed to attend a prom is now the headlines and somebody had the nerve to make the statement they do not understand being gay.....there are lots who do not understand Gays so again they want respect but don't give it. I don't understand it nor agree with it just as Gays make jokes about being straight.
The whole reason this happened is because the one girl, was respectful that other might have "issues" and asked permission from the school to take another girl to the prom. Then when this nut and a handful of other caught wind they raised all holy hell. Demanded the school deny this girl the right to attend her prom, and when that did not work decided to make their own.
Silly of the girl to be respectful and considerate to others with issues. She should have just surprised them with it and saved herself alot of headache.
I only have sex with Sheep, why can't I marry her or take her to the prom? I wish everyone would stop saying that my sex life is wrong. I was born this way, gosh.
Let them have there own prom
Hold the phone folks- this woman has every right to voice her opinion- seriously.
Do I think she is treading in dangerous territory? Yes, and let's be honest.
This is what she is "basically" saying:
Why the hell would you want someone who has no sexual desire for you?Is everybody so self centered that you think everyone wants to get in your pants.More than half the marriages in this country end in divorce.I'm gay and I have friends who are straight and they respect who I am.But I respect who they are too.I would never kiss or grope a boyfriend in front of them because I respect them.I don't care what your sexual orientation is but show respect for other peoples views.
Perhaps it is Dan Savage that should be fired. To propose someone be fired for expressing their
right to freedom of speech - for something she does not understand? Really? I guess you can only express your feelings in this country today if you are "with" the politically correct crowd. What is wrong with someone from
a rural, Midwest town professing they do not totally understand alternate lifestyles? Hostility toward her is just as wrong as bigotry at large is - every argument has two sides, once any society shuts down one side, it runs the risk of collapsing into itself. Healthy debate is a term coined for just that reason - it is healthy. Ms. Medley should not be publically prosecuted for expressing (based on her religious upbringing), a non-violent, yet non-understanding of a concept foreign to her culture. Tolerance is a two-sided coin.
Tolerances is not trying to deny a girl the ability to go to her prom because you do not agree with her lifestyle. Tolerance is not stating a high school kid has no purpose in life because you do not understand their lifestyle. Sorry but no teacher should be telling any students they have no purpose in life.
I agree Tom and I was raised with this woman's views. There are people who will say terrible things but we have to agree that the right thing for kids is to not isolate any of them. Even as a conservative I can't feel like disallowing anyone with regard to sexuality is ok.
I wish the topic didn't have to come up at all.
Clearly this calls for a litmus test. Make all these nubile young bodies go to the prom in the nude, so we can see more clearly just who is attracted to whom!
#292 "Nubile young bodies"? Sorry John, last time I heard, Pedophillia was still illegal. The left wing nuts atleast have a very small amount of morales.
#292 OK, who's buying up all the airport see-through scanner security screening booths?
"Great Ceasars Ghost" yelled Perry White on "Superman"
If the students accept their "special needs" classmates so be it.
I am surprised that a school in Indiana has a principal who understands the progressive idea of human rights and non-discrimination! That may be a first for the state that has the likes of Mike Pence as Governor! Now, as far as the special ed teacher who says it is offensive to her? THAT SOUNDS JUST LIKE INDIANA! No wonder it is a flyover state!
This teacher should be fired today. Her ignorance is horrendous. I live in Indiana, and while alot of the state is overly dependent on religious beliefs, many of us don't buy that sort of thing. God loves all of his people.
Last I heard, was that our creators will was to generate life. You can't do that when your packing Fudge or carpet eating.
you are being true to your name DIRTBAG.