Mike wrote on Apr 18, 2007 9:47 PM:Way to go kids. It takes a lot of guts to stand p for something you believe in, especially in high school when peer pressure is at its worse and the topic is so controversial. This is a very conservative and ultra homophobic area and I am more than sure others will comment about how your acts went against God. Just know that you did the right thing by standing up for what you believe is right.

Mike wrote on Apr 18, 2007 9:48 PM:Way to go kids. It takes a lot of guts to stand up for something you believe in, especially in high school when peer pressure is at its worse and the topic is so controversial. This is a very conservative and ultra homophobic area and I am more than sure others will comment about how your acts went against God. Just know that you did the right thing by standing up for what you believe is right.

Yes wrote on Apr 19, 2007 7:21 AM:Stand up for what you believe in! BUT, how about those that want to stand up for the other position on this issue that being homosexual is not cool? Thsy have been denied that right by the politically correct and that is wrong. They should have the same rights as those who observe the day of silence. How about that Mike?

Sara wrote on Apr 19, 2007 8:56 AM:Why is there not a "Day of Silence" for other groups that are picked-on or mistreated (i.e. Jews, Christians, Muslims, blacks, whites, reds, yellows)? Why specifically gays? This "Day of Silence" is nothing more than a political push for whatever cause the organizers may have.

Lot wrote on Apr 19, 2007 9:01 AM:A Day of Silence is needed but instead of it honoring a sexual orientation it should be to give students time to reflect on the lives that were taken recently in a college in Virginia and to pray for their friends and family. It's time to focus on what is really important.....helping students with emotional problems that can destroy many lives.

Bill wrote on Apr 19, 2007 10:14 AM:I don't want any political agendas at school. Sara has a point, where do you draw the line?

Bob wrote on Apr 19, 2007 12:05 PM:Why is this group allowed to push its agenda at a public school and those expressing the opposite point of view are silenced? A student at a San Diego (Poway) high school was sent home for wearing a shirt that proclaimed, "homosexuality is shameful." He was ordered to remove it, and his case went all the way to the Supreme Court. The court ruled in favor of the school's decision that the shirt was a distraction! A shirt is a distraction and a bunch of liberals pushing homosexuality down our throats isn't?! What a sad state of affairs in our country.

RD wrote on Apr 19, 2007 1:05 PM:Right on Bob. It seems that the balance is lost on these types of issues. Today's society has drifted into dangerous politically correctness. Our core values are being lost. Killings in places of learning? the push of political agendas, unfair treatment of the other side on issues. We should push for balance. Silence is acceptance on these issues.

FanOfBob wrote on Apr 19, 2007 1:33 PM:Bob is right on. I am very familiar with the incident at Poway High. Listen, Counselor Sypniewski says he is proud of the students and that they are trying to bring about "awareness". Awareness of what? That a small minority of this country is homosexual? We know THAT already. We are aware. I have nothing against gays although I do not agree with that lifestyle, that choice, that sexual orientation. Everyone is free to practice whatever they want, sexually, as long as it is in the boudaries of the law and,....ready for this....PRIVATE. I don't have a moment of silence or high five everyone in my office because I made heterosexual love to my wife last night. The liberal stance is rediculous. We can't pray in church. We NEED "God" removed from our money. It's wrong to display a cross on public grounds. BUT, we need to be aware that there are homosexuals that live among us. Education centers are, typically, leftward leaning, but enough is enough.

OSIDE MOM wrote on Apr 19, 2007 1:54 PM:kids are harassed by other kids for anything and everything. I think it is great for schools to promote respect for others and not to tolerate violence. However, permitting kids to be silent (i.e. withdrawn from class involvement) for an entire day is ridiculous. Their behaviour creates a distraction as they call attention to themselves with their orange post-its and invite other kids to taunt them into breaking the vow of silence. Its like the British royal guards that tourists dance in front of to get a reaction. Can every "persecuted" group get their own day? How about the fat kids, geeks, or prudes?

Day of Truth wrote on Apr 19, 2007 3:03 PM:April 19 is the 'Day of Truth' designed to counter this raqdical homosexual agenda. Let's see if the mainstream media like the NC Times will give equal coverage to this traditional Judeo-Christian response to the leftwing homosexual 'Day of Silence' spectacle.

Day of Truth... wrote on Apr 19, 2007 3:03 PM:April 19 is the 'Day of Truth' designed to counter this radical homosexual agenda. Let's see if the mainstream media like the NC Times will give equal coverage to this traditional Judeo-Christian response to the leftwing homosexual 'Day of Silence' spectacle.

To yes and bob fr Mike wrote on Apr 19, 2007 4:45 PM:Since when is being Gay a left-wing conspiracy. The fact remains that gay members of our society are still harrassed and do not have the same rights as every other citizen. The student in Poway wore a shirt that was hateful. If he wore a shirt that said I do not believe in homosexualty then it would have been fine. If a white student wore a shirt the day after MLK day that said I hate black people the same thing would have happened. As far as gay being "cool". People do not choose to be gay. Therefore, they are not trying to be cool. Why would someone want to be hated by so many in our society.

Good Sam wrote on Apr 19, 2007 4:51 PM:I think Great Oak High counselor Richard should be silenced and not allowed to push his politicale agenda on the students. An agenda that many parents are against. We the tax payers are paying him for?

Tax Payer and Parent wrote on Apr 19, 2007 5:31 PM:Is this counselor being paid to undermine the parents.

To good Sam wrote on Apr 19, 2007 8:22 PM:So, the parents of the Gay students on campus do not pay taxes??? If you read the article it said that this was student organized. Not school organized. The counselor is participating to support students. That is what a counselors job is in case you did not know.

Student wrote on Apr 19, 2007 8:52 PM:I attend GOHS. Honestly, I believe that the kids that participated in it were just trying to stand up for what they wanted. And NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY was pushing anyone into doing something they didn't want to. It wasn't advertised at all. Most kids didn't even know about the day until they actually read the note. All those kids that wore the orange papers are heros to a lot of people.

Lemme Guess wrote on Apr 19, 2007 8:58 PM:Since when is being Gay a left-wing conspiracy? What, do you think it's something conservative? Something taught, maybe, in the Bible? The kid in Poway didn't wear a shirt that said something hateful, as you say, like your example of hating black people. He wore a shirt that said homosexuality is shameful. He's a Christian. The Bible has taught him that gay-ity IS shameful. So, this good kid expressed his beliefs to make others...ahem..aware, and he was chastised for it. How fair is that? And, again, you are correct, people do NOT choose to be gay--they only choose to ACT on it. So what are you saying, they being a homosexual is bad or second choice? "Well, I was BORN this way, I might as well act out the part." So, I am clearly talking to "To yes and bob fr Mike". Lemme guess, you're gay.

Shameful wrote on Apr 19, 2007 9:49 PM:Wait a minute!!! We have a FACULTY adviser for a school organization--a PUBLIC school organization--that is based upon awareness for a SEXUAL PREFERENCE??? Counselor Rich Sypniewski is the FACULTY advisor for "Socially Together And Naturally Diverse" (STAND). Are you kidding me? Is there a faculty advisor for straight kids? There had better be. Is there an ORGANIZED club for straight kids that the school assigns a faculty advisor to? There had better be. Where is the PRINCIPAL? Where is the SUPERINTENDANT of Temecula Valley Schools?? The SCHOOL is PROMOTING one sexual orientation over another by providing a faculty advisor for a GAY club. Tell me, PEOPLE, are we going to stand for this and for how long???

S wrote on Apr 19, 2007 9:52 PM:I wish TVHS had participated in this activity this year.

JR wrote on Apr 20, 2007 8:31 AM:I think the bigget picture here is that bullying in general should be addressed, not just bullying against a certain group. No matter the reason, children should not be sujected to bullying at school.

Good Sam wrote on Apr 20, 2007 7:48 PM:It's unbelieveable. Tell me it's not so! TVUSD hires a Faculty Advisor to promote sexual preference?!!! They don't even do a good job teaching the 4 R's.

Gary in Winchester wrote on Apr 20, 2007 8:12 PM:Thank you for enlightening me about what STAND stands for. The writer and the school board have been in stealth mode on this one. Does the school employ a counselor to support students in their awareness of pedophiles, Man boy love Associations, Bestiality, plan old Fornicators, bigamist……or just homosexuality?

Tell me wrote on Apr 21, 2007 2:36 PM:What Teenager has to be made aware of their sexuality.

PM wrote on Apr 21, 2007 8:51 PM:As a graduate from this district and as a gay male in this town I want everyone to know how empowering it is to see this community (at least the youth) take a stand in what they feel is right. This isn't a 'gay agenda' it's just an idea that everyone should be treated fairly no matter who or what they are. For those of you finding problem in the idea of "political agenda" in our public schools, you honestly need to calm down and realize that high schoolers are young adults, formulating their own ideas and trying to express them the best way they can. If you honestly have a problem with your kids having their own thoughts in school than you seriously need to reconsider your idea of 'parenting'. Lastly, for the complaints of their being clubs/advisors/groups for GLBT students: what you need to understand is that these groups/clubs are created by students! This town needs to open it's eyes and see that it's youth is by far more responsible, thoughtful, caring, and understanding than the older generations will ever be. Kudos to the High Schoolers!

Seriously People wrote on Nov 13, 2007 10:51 PM:From reading all of your messages it makes it so clear how much we need to teach our students about acceptance when you are all calling yourself adults and clearing not accepting anything. If you are going to sit there and judge what happened at GOHS then at least get your facts straight. But wait, I forgot that right-wingers have a hard time doing that. I work at GOHS and to back up the student that said nothing was pushed on any student that didn't want to be involved was entirely accurate. All clubs on campus are student-created and student-driven. It is the students that look for the adviser, not the other way around. STAND does not simply promote gay rights AT ALL. They promote students from all different backgrounds to come together and accept each other. It is not simply based on sexual orientation. Being on campus on a daily basis it is disgusting to see how the students talk to each other. They can find anything to ridicule each other on. To stand up and say "I'm different" is hard for anyone, but especially for teenagers. Forget about what they school is teaching them, what are you teaching them? Students are only in school 7 hours a day, with a different teacher every hour. How long are they going to be your kids?

wrote on May 13, 2008 10:51 PM:This i hope many of you realize is symbolic. It realy shows acceptance of EVERYONE and it is targeted because someone died because of their orientation. People don't have to be best friends, just acquaintances. This is an eye-opener.