Being out and proud is about to become a whole lot easier for thousands of LGBT high school students in Atlanta. "Pride School Atlanta," a first-of-its-kind K-12 private school offering students both education and a dedicated safe space, is slated to open in the southern capital in September 2016. The landmark institution is also aimed at LGBT teachers.
Though gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students are clearly the founders' main focus, Pride School's doors will be open to any student who believes they're not getting the support they need for "being different," Pride School founder Christian Zsilavetz told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Kids have full permission to be themselves—as well as educators. Where there's no wondering, 'Is this teacher going to be a person for me to be myself with?'" said Zsilavetz, a trans veteran teacher of nearly 25 years. "This is a place where they (students) can just open up and be the best person they can be." Tuition will be around $13,000, with financial assistance available for kids and parents who can't afford that fee.
The institution will also provide an incentive for LGBT students not to flee their communities for cities like New York. "If a student does need a place where they can be safe from bullying, from peers who want to harass or harm them, they're not going to have to travel tons of distance to do that," said Ross Murray, programs director, global and U.S. South, for gay rights group GLAAD. It joins other initiatives such as gender-neutral restrooms and India's new transgender modeling agency in proving that 2016's challenge to gender norms is about to progress far beyond just boys in skirts. Though, of course, that's important too.
But...what about diversity? Segregating a certain demographic isn't going to properly conform proper social skills as well as have non LGBT form relationships/break stereotypes/save the world etc.
I was reading about this earlier today and still don't know how I feel about it. I am rather curious as to what the school's test scores/student's grades would be in comparison to other schools. I'd be here for it at least temporarily just for that reason.
It is. The Harvey Milk school in New York is not LGBT exclusive. This school will be.
Though gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students are clearly the founders' main focus, Pride School's doors will be open to any student who believes they're not getting the support they need for "being different,"