A recent article published on Gather contains allegations of astonishing dishonesty and stupity.
While this is not a novel occurence on Gather, the seriousness of the theme requires a response.
The author claims, without offering any evidence or any links, that GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network) is offering teacher training that contradicts the moral values of parents and communities. He then goes on to suggest that elementary school children are being indoctrinated with these tapes and training events.
This is an inflamatory load of crap, and another illustration of know-nothings siezing an opportunity for some cheap grand-standing.
When one commenter challenged the author to cite some evidence for his outlandish claims, she was rewarded with a dense paragraph of gibberish that defies rational explanation.
It is not fitting to dignify the article, a long litany of false and unsubstantiated assertions, with comments.
So, I will note some points here.
1. GLSEN is an outstanding network of teachers, parents and students, it comprises eminent national leaders in education, child development, medicine, and law.
It is active in every state, where it supports training and resource development to meet the diverse needs of all youth.
2. GLSEN has a special mission to protect (create "safety" for) kids who are, or who are accused of being, sexually different. One of it's most popular products is the School Safety Kit, which helps institutions identify appropriate resources for kids who are struggling with sexual issues.
3. It does not "promote" sexual differences; it recognizes that sexual identity and gender identity issues exist and tries to help students, teachers, and schools create appropriate responses.
4. GLSEN is the best training organization for educators who are trying to understand the difference between sexual orientation, gender identification, and the issues of normal adolescent development.
5. GLSEN is also the leader in organizing Gay Straight Alliances in high schools - and has drawn the wrath of the religious right for doing so.
Gay Straight Alliances provide safe social interactions for kids who are often teased or bullied.
I'm guessing that the article I saw was a response to an agit-prop piece of fundamentalist ranting that was unthinkingly adopted as truth.
6. There is nothing, NOTHING, secretive about this organization. It's training materials, which are research-based, are available for examination and study. Some are available on the web.
Learn about the good work of GLSEN for yourself
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Comments: 77
I can ignore this idiot, or laugh along when he plagerizes T.S.Eliot (!), until he does real damage.
The article I read is a pernicious piece of hateful lies.
P.S. I followed the Lovely Miss Karen over here :)
GLESN is not strictly a Gay Community resource. It protects all kids who might be misunderstood.
I find it much more offensive, much more immoral to preach intolerance to our children than otherwise.
But the article I cited was asserting that elementary school children were being taught about sex, and were being "indoctrinated" about "homosexuality."
Of course it is a load of crap, but there are sincere fools who believe it.
I suggested that David and karen take the discussion elsewhere.
Many narcissists derive pleasure from lots of attention, regardless of the nature of the comments.
I saw the article to which you referred, typed "What a crock of shit" in the comment box, and then said to myself, "screw it, the ***** will delete the entire article after he incites enough people to rack up a bunch of points" and deleted my comment before posting. "Incite and delete" is this guy's MO, and has been for quite some time.
(Elizabeth--your comment on the offending article was brilliant.)
It is our lack of honesty that makes our children susceptible to child snatchers and that makes them susceptible to date rape. I'm not worried about them picking up homosexuality; it's not a disease.
The most laughable plagerism and over-the-top lies are quickly deleted.
Nice to swing with you, Liz.
Good night, Karen.
I believe, for many reasons, that it is better to take one's arguments elsewhere for discussion, and not to dignify these untruthful articles with a response.
When challenged, you can watch him become more defensive and aggressive, (he will suggest that he has lots more "evidence", which is never produced), and then he will go into a horrible funk because the persons who are serious, who can write clearly (and use appropriate grammar and spelling) expose his faults and ultimate failure.
He probably only does it to rack up points sadly, he can't do it in a more creative fashion.
I still can't get over his outright copyright issues. Sad :\
The other day, Time Heals took the time to define and point out examples of his commonly used logical fallacies. A day later, he deleted all his content.
The fortunate consequence of the Time Heals project is that a whole load of junk was shoveled out of Gather.
He did not delete even half of his articles. There are pages of them left!
You're right, Heather.
Don't forget:
-Self-flaggelation--flagging one's own article so Gather looks at it.
-Tattletelling--repeating or saving comments of others so Gather can see them and presumably spank the offenders.
-Idle threats about knowing someone in law enforcement in [state witheld] who will come after you for internet harassment or stalking.
-An inability to produce sources or links to back up ridiculous claims because they'd constitute "copyright infringement" and/or "plagiarism". Clearly the boy wonder *still* hasn't mastered these concepts.
-My personal favorite: "I have answered your question. You just can't read or comprehend."
-The Real Paid Lawyer.
Last night there was only one left (or at least only one visible to me). Today, there's less than a page of them (visible to me).
Last week or so, a new article announcing the deletion of multiple articles was appearing with some regularity, and I hoped that the process would continue to completion.
Some time later, I noted that the deleting had stopped, and that there was still a considerable pile of "dross."
One would expect that our Gather connections would be speedier without the burden of all those awful articles.
Thanks for the kind words, David. :-)
I will admit I was a bit worried when I saw the snippet about a "prolific poster." (thought it was me.)
Great post. When I wake up and find things like this to read, it makes me sorry that I went to bed at a decent hour and got a good night's sleep. I miss all the good stuff.
Aniko, your definintions are spot on.
John, it one of history's terrible blunders. Probably something to do with the Post Office.
Imagine what would have happened if the GAy Agenda had not been mailed only to right wing religious fundamentalists!
Glad that you got your beauty sleep, Ina. :-)
Good work Peter. Now let's see how long it takes Gather to correct the nasty retributive flagging.
In my opinion, Gather has allowed this ***** to make their staff look like fools for abiding this childish behavior.
As for the guy in question in the thread. The best thing you can do is ignore him. He seems to feed off of negativity and loves the attention. Just do like Peter did and correct the misinformation he produces.
Charles, I am not connected to the author, but found the article through the comments that "My People" were making to it.
Arlene, I have refrained from naming the author, because I am responding to an inane article, not a person. :-)
I agree that the childish flagging is an offense to thoughtful readers, Sandy.
I doubt that anyone will take responsibility for doing the flagging.
Hi Melinda -glad that came in from the "shadows" in order to post.
I don't think that worthless articles should be dignified with comments.
Do not feed the monsters.
No More Points For Tyranny is a group that was designed to house further discussion when an author refuses or is unable to discuss a topic. I suggest we use this group more.
It's hard to tell.
Allegedly, you're not allowed to link to a flagged article in another article, but the enforcement of that seems to be uneven, and I'm not sure if that's spelled out in the TOS or Community Guidelines.
The article to which this article refers was inexplicably self-flagged by the author for "Harassment, Hate Speech, Other". You can still see it if you know what to search for.
Melinda, I believe the only appropriate response to stupid articles is clear and truthful articles.
Well, you predicted as much, Janna. Congratulations on your "psychic" ability!
WwW.SparkleTags.Com
Now, I have only my own flags.
A victory for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.
If people want to be 'different', that's ok with me, as long as I am not forced to think it is something I should subscribe to.
Personally, I think the trend is a choice, and in extremely rare (hermaphrodite) situations genetic. Otherwise, I believe it to be a 'learned' behavoir.
I do not mean to offend anyone's choices.
People who are attracted to members of the same sex describe this phenomena as something that they dioscover as they grow up, usually only at puberty when they begin to diverge from their peers who are suddenly interested in opposite sex persons.
People who argue for "choice" are never people who have same sex attraction (unless they are in denial or the closet -where many do hide).
I don't think the phenomena is rare. wherever there is any degree of freedom about sexual expression, there are "suddenly" large numbers of people "coming out".
that suggests that they have always been there, but invisible.
Eric, I don't think there is a bible verse exactly like the statement you quote. I don't doubt that this is a common opinion among religious folks.
I was glad to see the outpouring of support for the theme of the article. Nothing like a little bit of truth to put liars in their place.
The whole strategy of wild ass accusations with no proof and the concept of "I'm just saying.." rather than putting out rational arguments is deliberate, designed to confuse issues and implant false information.
GLSEN is nothing more than a bunch of homos trying to recreate and change the traditional values that have made this country succeed.... With people like moveon.org, GLSEN, ACLU, Iranian Queer movements, etc trying to change the culture that has built this country and made it good, will surely bring disaster.. Dysfunctional families at its worst, Aids at its worst, Anal Cancer at its worst, HPV at its worse and all the other health risks associated with Sodomy and variable lifestyles.
AN imbalance of estogen/testerone and sometimes the brain has some hermophroditc like conditions.. This creates a mind set where a boy is a boy, but has the brain functions of a girl due to hormonal/Chemical imbalance...
That is why I am againste choice, I just think YOU ALL should be open-minded and explore the possibility it could be a medical condition...
Women at menopause get hormone treatments.. I think it would serve humanity to do the same for this group of people as it probably would improve their self-esteem, etc.
I have met some folks from GLESN in my professional life, and they are smart, dedicated professional folks.
There are thousands of GSAs and their growth is related to increased acceptance of sexual differences.
Our best hope for achieving full civil rights for sexual minorities is time.
Younger folks don't have the wierd cultural baggage that older people do.
I GAVE THIS ARTICLE A 10!
I think the latest flap has effectively shut the little idiot up for the time being.