Its Hows-ton Street Not Houston

Heading back to BK I noticed a cute guy and his mom fresh off the train. He had his phone out in GPS stance and they both shared that quintessential “Where in the Hell are we now?” look. I took one step down into the depot before stopping, turning around, then walking towards them and pulling one of my earphones out.

“Where are you headed?” I asked with a polite smile. Absolutely love that look of surprise mixed in with relief. “How do you go East on 14th?” There are a few ways to tell but it gets too involved. Instead I just pointed then asked, “You're sure? The bulk of the city is that way.” as I pointed West. Quick check on the phone and I got nods, so I was back on my way home feeling all Samaritan-y.

Don't really do it to be helpful though. For whatever reason I still find it novel that I can give directions in downtown New York. In utter defiance of my rural Utah upbringing. *lol*

Despite My Bias This Seems Like a Bad Idea

Gay Student Sues Ohio School District Over T-Shirt

CINCINNATI — A gay student whose high school prohibited him from wearing a T-shirt designed to urge tolerance of gays is suing the school, saying it's violating his freedom of expression rights.

The mother of 16-year-old Maverick Couch filed the federal lawsuit on his behalf against Wayne Local School District and its Waynesville High School principal. Couch, a junior at the southwest Ohio high school, has been threatened by school officials with suspension if he wears the shirt, which bears the message “Jesus Is Not a Homophobe,” the lawsuit says. Officials at the public school told him the shirt is “sexual in nature” and is inappropriate there, it says.

Couch said Tuesday that he wants to wear the shirt at school on April 20 to show support for the Day of Silence, an annual event held nationally for students to draw attention to the silencing of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students through bullying and harassment.

“I've been bullied and called names, and I wanted to wear this shirt to promote respect for all students, gay or straight,” Couch said by telephone.

The lawsuit charges that the actions of officials in the school district, a 45-minute drive northeast of Cincinnati, violate Couch's constitutional rights, including the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and the Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection under the law. It asks the U.S. District Court to order school officials to allow Couch to wear the shirt and to pay him unspecified “nominal” damages and attorneys' fees.

District Superintendent Patrick Dubbs said Tuesday that he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on specifics, but he said he was “disappointed that it has gotten to this point.” A message left for Waynesville High School Principal Randy Gebhardt was not immediately returned.

Couch said Tuesday that he wore the shirt, which also bears the image of a rainbow-colored fish similar to a religious symbol used by Christians, last April and was told by the principal to turn it inside out. He said he complied but was told when he tried to wear it again that he would be suspended.

The civil rights group Lambda Legal, which is assisting Couch in the lawsuit, said it sent the principal a letter in January supporting Couch's right to wear the shirt. The district's response was that the message on the shirt is “sexual in nature and therefore indecent and inappropriate in a school setting,” the lawsuit says.

Couch also said that he was told by school officials on other occasions that the shirt would be disruptive and that it was too religious.

“I don't think it's sexual or indecent,” Couch said. “I am just trying to stand up for who I am and for what I believe in.”

Lambda Legal attorney Christopher Clark said Couch tried to reach a solution without going to court but school officials would not cooperate.

“Schools should be in the business of educating students about First Amendment freedoms,” Clark said, “not trampling on their right to express themselves.”

The high school has more than 500 students in grades 9 through 12, according to its website.

While it makes me feel somewhat traitorous to my community I do not agree with what this teen and his Mother are doing.

The attorney's assertion at the end is inaccurate. Public schools are not in the business of fostering activism… they are there to educate our children. I assume the charge of "indecency" comes from some sort of rurally-awkard christian morality. It is not indecent. It is, however, religious and incendiary. And a teen who complains of bullying shouldn't be wearing it.

That's where the real problem lies: Couch should never have been made to feel he had to wear this tee-shirt. The fairness and equity provided by law can step in to address being marginalized, terrorized, and brutalized.

While individual identity is important and undoubtedly part of the teenage maturation process, it must be balanced with respect for shared company in the common pursuit of learning. And that sort of respect for others is important for continued success out in the "real world."

Keep Up and Keep Down

First time I saw some profile on that Russell guy I thought he was cute. Then I got to see him pounding on the pave in the nude despite attempts at downplay from concerned acquaintances. Given the attention his viral video got it's no surprise the media persecution-by-information machine continues to churn. Sorta feel bad for him. Sorta wish the video zoomed in a little more… he's in great shape!

I Know Jesus, My Hate is Love

Was catching up on the whole Kirk Cameron drama when I noticed part of his statement after the fateful Piers Morgan interview:

I spoke as honestly as I could, but some people believe my responses were not loving toward those in the gay community. That is not true. I can assuredly say that it's my life's mission to love all people.

What he said was honest so I can respect that. It's the hypocrisy that I take umbrage with. As so many other Christians he doesn't see his “love” as conditional and judgmental—which is what Jesus opposed.

Oh well. At least George Takei is out there doing his happy dance in proud defiance.

They're Going to Figure It Out For Me

Being away from mainstream television for more than a decade now I often wonder what I miss. Friend's suggestions are usually enough. Stumbled across Vulture's Best TV Drama thing which will be interesting. For now it made me put The Soprano's at the top of my Netflix DVD queue.

One of New York's Lights Went Out

Zelda Caplan died yesterday. She was one of the iconic people I first thought of when moving to New York. Though tragic the setting was cosmically perfect… front row of a show in the middle of fashion week. I still laugh thinking about her Old Navy commercials.

Sell Me Another One of Those Cards

That's right. (Thanks!)