:thumbs up: New York

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't expect you to understand what it's like to be a gay kid in high school. There were certainly problems, it's just that kids didn't come out and say it because they were ****ing closeted. Especially in rural BC.

Uhh, remember I'm deaf, Asher. I know what it's like. I know *exactly* what you are claiming it's like.

If any gay person had half of what I dealt with at school, I'd be shocked. Never saw it. Only time I got into it was when I was at UBC and talked about it to some people. My question was always the same. What was so bad to make you bitter with the world?

Frankly, lots of people go through hell at school. Gay people for the most part do not have it bad. But, given the media has taken up their cause, it's interesting to see some of the thinking shift.

Many gay people who did have him as a teacher filed evidence on his behalf supporting him.

Yes, they did. Unfortunately, for you he's highly regarded in the community.

The man was demonstrably stupid, in addition to being bigoted. They lost an idiot.

Personal evidence vs you? No contest.

ensures Christianity trumps social liberty.

I don't believe anyone should be fired for expressing their opinion in a newspaper. The only exception I would have is if a Catholic School teacher were to express public opinions contrary to the Catholic Church. Then it becomes an issue, because that is part of their contract.

[Asher]

Uhh, remember I'm deaf, Asher. I know what it's like. I know *exactly* what you are claiming it's like.

Amazing how you manage to be offensive whilst amusingly stupid.

If any gay person had half of what I dealt with at school, I'd be shocked. Never saw it. Only time I got into it was when I was at UBC and talked about it to some people. My question was always the same. What was so bad to make you bitter with the world?

Frankly, lots of people go through hell at school. Gay people for the most part do not have it bad.

Ben, gay teenagers are six times more likely to commit suicide. Shut the **** up.

Yes, they did. Unfortunately, for you he's highly regarded in the community.

Obviously not, if the elected board turfed him.

Personal evidence vs you? No contest.

Oh, we're playing this game?

I've personal evidence the guy is a pedophile. When I was twelve he tried to rape my friend bobby, who was 11. He frequently offered kids ice cream from his car.

This is fun.

I don't believe anyone should be fired for expressing their opinion in a newspaper. The only exception I would have is if a Catholic School teacher were to express public opinions contrary to the Catholic Church. Then it becomes an issue, because that is part of their contract.

This is the exact same thing, you ******. Secular public school teachers sign a conduct contract. Why do you think he was legally fired?

It was an "occupational requirement" to "ensure the school system is free from discriminatory attitudes about homosexuals".

[Ben Kenobi]

It is IN some classrooms. In THIS case, it was a recommended resource to recommend to gay teenagers that the guy was upset with. He'd prefer they directed them to conversion therapy.

Aside of evidence to confirm that he'd actually counselled students this way at Correlieu, then his personal opinions on treatment isn't relevent.

You are losing the battles, and the war, Ben. Badly. Within 50 years, people are going to think of practicing Catholics the same way they think of Scientologists or the People's Temple members. The trend is undeniable

We've been there before Asher.

[Asher]

Ben, gay teenagers are six times more likely to commit suicide. Shut the **** up.

BTW, this number is underreported. Many teenagers kill themselves but never come out. It's logical to assume quite a few of them were closeted gay people.

You've no idea what it's like, Ben. And it's not even ****ing close to what it's like being deaf.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_among_LGBT_youth

Apparently most studies are actually saying 2-4x more likely, not 6. 40% of GLBT youth attempt suicide.

[MrFun]

Gay people for the most part do not have it bad.

fvck you

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben, gay teenagers are six times more likely to commit suicide. Shut the **** up.

As opposed to those with a disability or those teenagers in general. You don't know ****.

Obviously not, if the elected board turfed him.

Why is that relevant? They turfed him because of the BCTF decision, not because of his conduct.

I've personal evidence the guy is a pedophile. When I was twelve he tried to rape my friend bobby, who was 11. He frequently offered kids ice cream from his car.

Inadmissible as hearsay.

Like I said, I met the man and have had a chance to talk with him.

Why do you think he was legally fired?

Because he said stuff people didn't like. Had he expressed the same opinions but in support of gay marriage he would not have been fired. Ergo, his firing had everything to do with the speech content of what he wrote.

Therefore, it's a violation of his right to freedom of expression as part of the Charter.

[Asher]

Therefore, it's a violation of his right to freedom of expression as part of the Charter.

Fascinating how the Supreme Court unanimously disagreed with your expert legal opinion.

[Ben Kenobi]

BTW, this number is underreported. Many teenagers kill themselves but never come out. It's logical to assume quite a few of them were closeted gay people.

Of course, as opposed to a disability which can be confirmed.

You've no idea what it's like, Ben. And it's not even ****ing close to what it's like being deaf.

No, you don't know what it's like. I'm sorry Asher.

[Asher]

BTW, this is fascinating.

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/3/452

The Impact of Institutional Discrimination on Psychiatric Disorders in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations: A Prospective

Objectives. We examined the relation between living in states that instituted bans on same-sex marriage during the 2004 and 2005 elections and the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations.

Methods. We used data from wave 1 (2001–2002) and wave 2 (2004–2005) of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N = 34 653), a longitudinal, nationally representative study of noninstitutionalized US adults.

Results. Psychiatric disorders defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, increased significantly between waves 1 and 2 among LGB respondents living in states that banned gay marriage for the following outcomes: any mood disorder (36.6% increase), generalized anxiety disorder (248.2% increase), any alcohol use disorder (41.9% increase), and psychiatric comorbidity (36.3% increase). These psychiatric disorders did not increase significantly among LGB respondents living in states without constitutional amendments. Additionally, we found no evidence for increases of the same magnitude among heterosexuals living in states with constitutional amendments.

Conclusions. Living in states with discriminatory policies may have pernicious consequences for the mental health of LGB populations. These findings lend scientific support to recent efforts to overturn these policies.

[Ben Kenobi]

Fascinating how the Supreme Court unanimously disagreed with your expert legal opinion.

They never took the case.

[Al B. Sure!]

I just don't see how deaf people could possibly suffer the derision of their peers to the level that homosexuals experience. Who picks on deaf people? Who chants that God hates deaf people? Who beats to death deaf people?

[Asher]

Of course, as opposed to a disability which can be confirmed.



No, you don't know what it's like. I'm sorry Asher.

I suppose it's normal for the go-to insult for everything and everyone is "deaf", and that you are routinely hounded by religious people reminding you you are going to hell for being deaf, and surrounded by people actively trying to ensure you don't have the same rights as other people, and a real chance your parents would disown you or beat you for finding out your are deaf.

[Ben Kenobi]

fvck you

Soo tolerant.

None of you have a ****ing clue.

[Asher]

They never took the case.

http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/jdb-txt/sc/04/01/2004bcsc0133.htm

[Ben Kenobi]

I suppose it's normal for the go-to insult for everything and everyone is "deaf", and that you are routinely hounded by religious people reminding you you are going to hell for being deaf, and surrounded by people actively trying to ensure you don't have the same rights as other people, and a real chance your parents would disown you or beat you for finding out your are deaf.

Uh, deaf and dumb? Are you seriously saying that people don't use deaf as a pejorative?

Like I said you don't have a clue what you are talking about and are actively dismissing my opinion. As usual.

Christ do you see a 'deaf' pride parade?