{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"17831063","dateCreated":"1260176411","smartDate":"Dec 7, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"neagbaya","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/neagbaya","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17831063"},"dateDigested":1532140201,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Homosexuality","description":"Asking whether students in high school are capable of defining themselves as gay is like asking whether or not someone is able to tell if they need to use the bathroom or not. Of course they can, it is how they feel. And even if they, in fact, cannot, who granted anyone the authority to stop these students from expressing what they feel?
\nI believe issues concerning homosexuality only arise because of people of older generations. That being said, yes, I believe that our generation is indeed more accepting of homosexuality. And I also believe that this is the reason why the terms \u201cfag\u201d and \u201cgay\u201d are being thrown around more often these days. Since our generation is very comfortable around homosexuals, it does not even cross our minds when we use these particular terms. We throw it around with absolutely no reference to homosexuals.
\nUnfortunately, even though we do not relate the terms to homosexuals, it still causes damage to them. I believe that education and time can get rid of this problem, and the advancement of more tolerance.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17711761","dateCreated":"1259870126","smartDate":"Dec 3, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"kekaneta","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/kekaneta","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17711761"},"dateDigested":1532140201,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"21st century","description":"This article was pretty interesting and very informative about the "new generation" of gay teens. I think that students in high school can identify themselves as gay in most cases, but I think that there are some cases in which students are just confused teenagers whose judgement has been clouded by social norms and peer pressure. I defintely think that it is more socially accepted for people to be gay in this generation than in previous ones. Society today is more progressive and forward thinking than past conservative mindsets. However, there are still many who are against gays. At Iolani, I think that becuase we are such a small school and taught to be ideal students, to a certain extent we are not accepting; I mean we don't have many students who are openly gay like the ones in this article. Although, we are always taught to look at both sides of issues and are taught to be understanding of other circumstances; so in that aspect, we are. While I don't really have an opinion about terms such as "fag" or "gay," I do see how they can be offensive and how they may send the wrong message. I avoid saying these terms for this reason, but also just because it's so easy to choose other words. I think this particular use of these words came from insecurities in the past and have continued to stick. To elminate the use of these terms, I'm not too sure what can be done. At Iolani, I hear teachers asking students not to use those words which seems to work, but only those nearby and those being addressed stop using them. To decrease bullying associated with this topic, I think that schools should educate its students about the issue. But in a school like Iolani, I can definitely see how that may be awkward or difficult, but I think that it should be done to some degree.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17705977","dateCreated":"1259865181","smartDate":"Dec 3, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"TawniMurphy","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/TawniMurphy","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17705977"},"dateDigested":1532140201,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":" to them a reality, to us a label","description":"I think that it is about time that our society realizes that it is a reality for some people to gay. It isn't a bad thing, it is someone's reality. I think that it is great for someone this young to be as open as he is about his reality.
\nPeople today need to be open to who people really are, and not judge someone based on their sexuality.
\n
\nI don't see why people would pick on those who are homosexual. It's not like the roles are reversed, and homosexuals are picking on those who are heterosexual.
\nI think that once one defines them self as gay, no matter how old they are when they do, that "label" will always stick with them, even if at the time, they didn't mean it.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17701759","dateCreated":"1259861484","smartDate":"Dec 3, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"nipeltze","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/nipeltze","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17701759"},"dateDigested":1532140201,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Good for him!","description":"I think our society focuses so much on how negative it is to be gay, that many people hide that fact about themselves. I always hear boys yelling at each other in the hallways, "NO Homo!" or "Gay F-g". These comments portray those words as an insult and very negative. I think these dances and supportive moms and friends will help others to open up in their current environments. At Iolani, unfortunately right now, I do not think open gay students would be accepted, but maybe even, ostracized. I think students here need to learn to be a little more open-minded and accepting of people who are different. I found this article to be very uplifting though and moving forward. I hope all these girls and boys will be able to reach out and help other people come out in public.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17700491","dateCreated":"1259860588","smartDate":"Dec 3, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"cokozuma","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/cokozuma","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17700491"},"dateDigested":1532140201,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Homosexuality","description":"Aftr reading this aticle I was surprised to know how many kids are coming out and expressing openly tha they are gay. I give them full credit because especially at that age, where kids don't know how words can hurt more than physical pain its hard to openly express your gay and still have to deal wih the reprecussions for admitting it. I once had a friend who was gay, but he was so afraid to admit it that he held it in and back from others for a very long period of time until we trusted each other enough and he admitted it, just in time because he passed away sometime after. I think that society as a whole needs to learn to accept people the way they are, just like how we adapted to race I believe we can do the same thing for this. It may be a little awkward at first, but put ourselves in their shoes, how awkward do you think they feel everyday if they think they are not accepted in society because of the way they are.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17682347","dateCreated":"1259833654","smartDate":"Dec 3, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"kellyho","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/kellyho","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17682347"},"dateDigested":1532140202,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"open","description":"After reading this article, I do think our society is moving forward and becoming more open minded. More and more parents are supportive of their child being homosexual. I believe the media and Internet have a lot of influence on our views. There are more and more shows about homosexuality or bisexuality and people seem to like it. For example, in Tila Takia's reality show, both women and men are fighting to be her true love. With this as a new trend, the thought of someone being a gay or a lesbian or a bisexual are becoming more acceptable. Not just family and the school community, America as a whole is starting to accept homosexual relationships as people look up to Obama, who campaigned for gay marriage. However, I don't think people who are gay or lesbian can be accepted in Iolani. Iolani still seems pretty sheltered, and since everyone knows each other, it will be hard once the words got out.
\nI think students can accurately define themselves as gay or straight in high school. High school is the time when students are starting to develop attractions between each other. If the student is interested in people with the same sex then clearly they know they are homosexual. I think the only reason people may be confused or ponder on their decision is because being homosexual are still looked down upon. It will be difficult for them to fit in. A way that can promote acceptance in school is to form a club, which is mentioned in the article. But the most important thing I feel is the education. If teachers and parents educate the students to have a positive and open attitude then everyone can truly follow their self identities.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17682313","dateCreated":"1259833465","smartDate":"Dec 3, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"africanqueen","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/africanqueen","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1251186290\/africanqueen-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17682313"},"dateDigested":1532140202,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Homosexuality in our world today","description":"This was really quite an interesting article for it addressed a topic that is huge in our lives at this time. The topic of homosexuality has really become larger over the past years because difference are now being excepted and embraced and the media has taken a turn into appreciating homosexuality. What was very cool about this article was the fact that younger children are starting to come out about who they are at a younger age than ever before. It is quite wonderful that people are finding the courage to express fully who they are and what they like. But unfortunately, many of this children suffer from harrassment by their peers. Although some may not see this as a form of dicrimination, it really is. People that are homosexual do not choose it is something in which they are born with. Because of this schools need to stand up for their students and make them feel accepted. By supporting homosexuals, other students will begin to absorb this and adjust. I think that this topic really will take time to become fully solved. As we can see in this article, this has already started to happen in some schools because feel it is a safe environment to expose them selves in. But it needs to happen more because they are just people as we are therefore they must be treated in the same manner.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17680287","dateCreated":"1259821738","smartDate":"Dec 2, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"rachelkaya","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/rachelkaya","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17680287"},"dateDigested":1532140202,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Change","description":"I would think that it is difficult to say if you are gay or not at such a young age. The article stated that one of the boys had yet to kiss or date a boy, but just because he doesn\u2019t like to kiss or date girls that encountered before, does that mean he is gay? I think this is similar to how people say, \u201cYou don\u2019t know what its like to be treated well until you have been treated badly\u201d. How can someone of such a young age know for sure that they are not of \u201cnormal\u201d sexual orientation? But it seems that these kids really are sure that they are gay. And they are happy. It is difficult for them and I think they are so brave. I liked how Austin asked about \u201creporting back\u201d to his parents when they questioned his sexuality. I found that remark witty. They know that being gay in today\u2019s society is very difficult, but for many of them, coming out is something they find necessary, yet they are not even teenagers. I think it is much easier for anyone to come out about being gay now because people are much more accepting, not just with orientation, but also regarding race, gender, sex and religion. I think right now, it is hard to say where Iolani stands on accepting gays. We had a Gay\/Straight Alliance several years ago, but I\u2019m not sure if we have had one for a while. It doesn\u2019t seem like kids at Iolani feel confident or comfortable enough to come out because it seems like no one does. And if an individual does, not many people know about it. Which is strange because word at Iolani spreads like wildfire. I would really like to hope that Iolani students would be supportive, and show \u201cunconditional support\u201d as a football player in the article was shown, but I think that it is very hard to tell what kinds of reactions would arise. Terms like \u201cfag\u201d come from, as the article points out, kids who are insecure about their sexuality and what others think of them. They speak in such negative terms because they are not confident enough to treat those who are \u201cdifferent\u201d with respect. I don\u2019t really know how this kind of language could be eliminated. I think with time, and as people grow more open towards gays and bisexuals, the terms and term usage will fade, but I don\u2019t know if they will ever disappear completely. I think Gay\/Straight Alliances are great ways to promote acceptance of gays and bisexuals. But I think, like negative gay slangs, full acceptance of gays in schools, and also throughout society, will take time, but it can most definitely be achieved.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17680155","dateCreated":"1259820974","smartDate":"Dec 2, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"dekristin","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dekristin","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17680155"},"dateDigested":1532140202,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"to be or not to be...gay?","description":"I was actually really surprised when the article said that kids were coming out as young as twelve. It's true, that period is one of confusion about self-identity, but often times it isn't "just a phase." Adults always say that kids don't know any better, but in reality, sometimes the youth can be more knowledgeable just because of the way things have changed over time. For example, our generation is generally a lot more accepting of homosexuals than before. Even though we are not totally adapted, I think that the change is significant enough. Especially at Iolani, I think that not enough people have come out for us to tell if it is accepted or not. Personally, I have experienced people having their suspicions on others, but a lot of times they just happen to be more feminine or masculine than usual, and not necessarily that they like the same gender. In my opinion, I think that it is wrong to use derogatory terms about homosexuality, but I will admit that in middle school I was guilty of it. This changed, however, when I knew someone who came out and since then was always teased to the point where he became extremely depressed and suicidal. I never realized how hurtful one little insult may be, because you never know how the other person will take it. This can be eliminated if people could just realize how hurtful their words are, and how this might affect their victim. People don't realize that this is an issue that cannot be helped, and that they don't choose their sexuality. I think that schools can promote acceptance by creating more opportunities for gay-straight alliances and in turn, they hopefully will realize that homosexuals aren't much different than everyone else.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"17679237","dateCreated":"1259816295","smartDate":"Dec 2, 2009","userCreated":{"username":"bryap","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/bryap","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/17679237"},"dateDigested":1532140202,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Homosexuality","description":"A lot of the young teenagers now seem to open up about their sexual orientation, either being gay or straight or bisexual. I know, after many stories, gay people in general are being harassed or bullied or even killed just because they are not "straight." I think that the schools should protect and monitor students regardless of their sexual orientation because it is the school's job to ensure that every student is safe. I was very shocked when some of the gay teens' families would kick them out of the family or say, 'It's only a phase.' Way to be a family...to support no matter what happens. Gay, straight or bisexual, families should help the child rather than to give up on him\/her. And plus, gay people do not do anything wrong to be treated like that. They are everyday people like us who try to survive so why do people make it even harder for them?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]}],"more":true},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}