Blog post 3
This week I found an article about how Tennessee schools had been blocking gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) information from the school computers. However last week the superintendent stated that the censorship organization (Education Networks of America, ENA) will no longer be blocking those websites.
ENA provided the filtering software to 107 school districts in TN and prevented the access to websites like GLAAD and PFLAG (which is a website for families of gays and lesbians).
Last month the ACLU filed a case against Nashville Public Schools and Knox County Public Schools to unblock the websites. The case was presented for a few students and the librarian who wanted the blocks revoked.
What makes the filtering even more shocking is the filters did not block websites that talked about how you can change your sexual preferences back to being straight, which boggles my mind that there are even these-which also seems discrimatory by not providing both sides of the viewpoint.
I think websites like GLADD and PFLAG are important for teens to look at. If they think or know they are gay then they need support that they may not be able to get from anyone close to them. I think it may be scary to know that support may not be there but the websites will be able to help them. PFLAG is especially useful for teens whose parents may be gay.
The school library may be the only way the students can look up this information if they are too scared or don't have the means to do it at their house. It is a very touchy situation that I don't think will ever be make both sides happy.
posted by Amy at 9:39 AM
2 Comments:
I read an article about this. I have to agree with you that the school library might be the only place teens can get access to sites such as GLADD and PFLAG. being informed is very important. being a cliche, makes it no less true. "knowledge is power" and that knowledge needs to come from as many sources as possible.
June 9, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Hi Amy,
I came across this article too and plan on using for a young adult class I am in. What kills me is that in high school kids know what gay is and what it means (actually even younger than that) so why do schools feel they need to protect them from it. Most likely if high schoolers are looking at this site they are looking at it for information. It's sad the administration of these schools has the mindset that it is better to keep them away from this information.
June 16, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home