Thank you, Brooke, for posting this. And, thank you to all who participated to make this happen.

Why have any barriers on any 'gender'? Why have some things associated with female and other things associated as male? That perhaps is the 'root' of all the contention. Perhaps, instead, an individual should be able to run for either role and for any reason.... regardless of their specific body-gender.

Think about it. Us girls would more freely be able to go out for some sports than we would otherwise, without fear of whether we were viewed as too boy-like.... Or, perhaps there would have always been more male-nurses than there has traditionally..........

Thanks for your response Samantha, we welcome everyone here and obviously every view. I'm just wondering how someone such as yourself who doesn't agree with full equality and full opportunities for the gay community stumbled into a website dedicated to such things? There are so many things I would like to address with you but think I would likely be wasting my time. So, I would just like to leave you with this. I hope in your lifetime you will never have a door closed or an opportunity taken away because of your sex, your identity, your race, your religion, your beliefs, your age, your looks or for simply being yourself. Peace be with you.

If there is things you would like to address, feel free to do so.
It's not a waste of time and I'm more then willing to listen to what you have to say.

I understand where you are coming from and I get what you are saying, however, it is the bigger picture. This was a big step for the "gays" but in general this was a big step for all people. I don't think there should be boundaries or limits for anyone, period. We should all strive to be inclusive in every aspect of life. If things weren't limited to either man or woman, it would open up a lot of doors for everyone. Things would be based on the person and their ability, not their gender or gender identity. Imagine a world with no limits? Raising your children and saying yes you can instead of no you can't. So, although this was a gay student breaking down barriers, it's not soley a gay issue. Perhaps it should just simply be known as Homecoming person. That would eliminate a lot, yeah? And when you say for people to act normal, to those people, it is normal. No one can push their idea of normal onto anyone else. That would eliminate individualism and expression.

Again, thank you for your response and a different take on the matter.

Yes, that is true. It would eliminate a
lot.
There's no reason to why though he had to run for home coming queen, his a male and should have ran for home coming king. I get everyone should be treated the same, but not in this world will it happen. People see gays as wrong. It's ridiculous, but that's the way this world is.
It is very difficult to be gay. So many people are set on they're ways, and some people won't change it nor understand it. Which is completely stupid.
Yes, they think it's normal and all that, but the rest of the world don't. Gays are so freely open about who they and that's what bugs many of people, correct?

Samantha - you ask a lot of "Why" questions.

In fact, they are all asked and answered in the attached documents.

If you don't like the answers, your only recourse is to simply to change the principles by which schools are funded in America. Repeal Title IX if it doesn't suit your needs anymore.

And then repeal the fundamental principles by which the California Constitution is organized. The details, the laws, the court precedents, they are all listed in the documents attached to this story, so it is not like you have to do any research or anything to get started.

That's it - it is not like fairness or equality are deeply held principles or anything in our society, surely that has been taught to you in school from day 1! If they are getting in your way, work to change them!

Good luck with that, let me know how it goes!

While they're at it.........Something needs to change on GSA's in schools. The way the rules are written today, a student (or collection of) need to request for a GSA to be established on campus. Then, upon request, the school is to get a staff person to oversee and to begin offering a GSA program..............

My problem is, why would a kid (or kids) have to be 'outed' in order to have a GSA. Perhaps a GSA should be offered, regardless of students being out and that way they know they have a safe place to go to and get answers.....

I agree Hope! A student shouldn't have to request one, there should just BE one. Let's work on that next!

Thank you for you imput. I did start the GW GSA without the students asking. I had a friend contacte about the need and I went to administration and told them I was starting one. They caouldn't say NO, especially since it is a national club and also because of the past law suits. Find an educator and ask them to help get one started. Our kids needs to be safe!!! That is the bottom line.

way to go agian! visalia! and the youth keep breaking down the hate! some havn't learn from history....

http://www.aclunc.org/news/press_releases/aclu_wins_victory_in_visa lia_school_district_harassment_case.shtml

Samantha -

Gay? But how old?

Is there something specific you didn't understand about my previous post? I ask you that because it answers in detail all of your subsequent questions already.

But I am, to be fair, assuming that you have reached a certain level of experience and education that only comes with age.

It may very well be that you have not reached that level yet, in which case I will be more than happy to provide an age-appropriate answer.

So what was it you didn't understand, and what is your age/experience/understanding of the issues you raise?
How would *you* answer your own questions?

Your honest answer to these, presented here with an open mind, will get an age appropriate reply from me.

Often, it is the little things that pave the way for big things. It is a out-moded stereotype of what a male or a female can be. Now, they can be who they were born to be...whether male or female.

First off, let me begin by saying Congratulations on seeing your efforts through to success. That is an accomplishment in and of itself. When you add the content of the situation to it, it becomes phenominal. I'm so proud of all of you.

I grew up in a place where being gay is still a death sentence. If your "in", the you simply have to wait, alone and wanting, until you are old enough to escape. If you're "out" then you learn to watch over your shoulder and sleep with one eye open. Having said that, its efforts like the above and devotion to equality that have and are changing the views the world has about the gay community. It's not just about gay, its about the true definition of equality for ALL. Gay, lesbian, black, white, pagan, christian, classically pretty, and the social repulsive- all have the same rights and protections that go with living in a country founded on justice for all....and you can't have justice for all without equality for ALL. Jimmy has established his voice and announced to Visalia that he is apart of the all. Good show!

To answer Samantha, I don't know the full extent of Jimmy's case, but let's suppose for instance that its this. IF Jimmy sought to undergo a metamorphosis and release the female within and change from male to female, then by law he is required to live as a female for 1 year. In which case, he would HAVE to run for queen and not king. Being forced to run for king would set his progress toward that goal back at its beginning. Now, that may not be the case for Jimmy, but it may be the case for hundreds of youth in the future and Jimmy has set the precedent and paved the road for all of them. He's changed the future and that is profound.

As for being treated like straight people? I'm a gay man, but I am not a label. I expect to be treated like a human being... Saying that we want to be treated as though we were straight is giving in to the label. I want to be able to marry the person I love because it is my right as a human being, not because straight people can. I want to be able to hold my partners hand in public without fear of ridicule or death for that matter, because it is my right as a human being. And if I want to dress up as a woman and run for home coming queen...well, that's my right as human as well...for one reason... I am endowed by my creator, certain inalienable rights...that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness... If running for homecoming queen makes me happy, that by that statement, I should be allowed to do it.

Congratulations again to all of you for your efforts.

Warm regards,
Jase

"Gays are so freely open about who
they (are) and that's what bugs many of people, correct?"
Only freely open in some places, and even those places are not safe at all times. Many people are bugged by differences, but that does not give them the right to dictate to others how to live in public. Jimmy wanted to run for Homecoming Queen, and his classmates didn't have a problem with it... he won!
I think the big issue here is who gets to decide how you live your life? You, or some majority group? Do you want to have your life controlled by people who do not know you, and don't respect you based on what they think you are like? The Constitutions of the United States, and the State of California guarantee various rights to all of us. I don't get to tell Christians how to live their lives, and they don't get to tell me how to live mine. I can't vote rights away from them, and they can't vote rights away from me (no matter how hard they try!).
GSA's must be allowed just like the FFA club is allowed. Equality means equal, and telling someone they can't do something because of gender, religion, race, or orientation is not acceptable. Congrats to the students and advisor at Golden West, I wish the best for them.

I cannot answer for Jimmy as to why he wanted to run for Queen. I can only guess that it's the role he felt most comfortable with. He's going to be writing something for us so perhaps he can clear that up for you. And you are correct Samantha that a majority of the world is against "us" but that's what makes things like this so important. If we don't keep pushing for rights, equality and acceptance we will never get anywhere. We might still have slaves today if those heroes of the past didn't start their revolution. Gays are very free in their thinking as a lot of minorities are. But until you are one, you can never truly understand that, which in part is why it's so hard for main stream America to relate. I'd be happy to keep conversing with you, perhaps email would be a better venue for us? If you'd like to talk more or share more opinions please email me anytime, your views are always welcomed here. Brooke@GayVisalia.com.