PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Tell Benilde-St. Margaret's to Support LGBT Students
  1. Signatures
    283 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. Senior High Principal, Benilde-St. Margaret's (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Senior High Principal, Benilde-St. Margaret's (Sue Skinner)
      • President, Benilde-St. Margaret's (Bob Tift)
      • Diversity Coordinator, Benilde-St. Margaret's (Lidibette Rosado-Guzman)
  2. Created By
    Maia Spotts
    NYC, NY
About this Petition Petition Letter

Sean Simonson had something to say about anti-gay sentiment in his home state of Minnesota. So he wrote a heartfelt, sincere, brave call to arms editorial entitle "Life as a Gay Teen." Said editorial was published. And then said editorial was pulled. Why? Because Sean is a student at a Catholic high school.

The administration at Benilde-St.Margaret's, while originally approving Sean's piece, balked when questionable comments, some regarding Sean's sexual orientation and some about the Church's stance on homosexuality, were posted to the school's website.

The school issued the following statement to the media:

-- Benilde-St. Margaret’s School is committed to ensuring that all students are safe, respected, and protected. As a Catholic school, our responsibility is to respect and uphold the dignity of the vulnerable, including students who are attracted to the same sex.
-- Section 2358 of the Roman Catholic Catechism says that men and women with homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.
-- As educators, we encourage student dialogue in a responsible way under the supervision of caring adults. As a Catholic high school, we have a responsibility to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church.
-- All high school administrators, public or private, have the right to regulate the standards for the school newspaper.
-- The online comments regarding the editorial and the opinion piece in question were creating a disrespectful environment as well as confusion about the teachings of the Catholic Church.
-- The administration exercised its prerogative to have the material removed from the website.

By pulling the comments and the piece, they aren't respecting Sean, or creating a safer atmosphere in which he can thrive and live openly. Cutting the dialogue off at the pass only validates those who believe it was wrong in the first place. It leaves Sean with one less safe haven in which to speak his mind. It means the bullies win.

This petition is an open letter to Benilde-St. Margaret's, asking that they not only republish Sean's column, but also to work towards a school atmosphere of communication, support, respect, tolerance and safety by establishing a Gay Straight Alliance, and by educating its staff on non-discrimination and combating bullying.

Recent Signatures

Respect, Safety and Support for All Students

Greetings,

Sean Simonson wrote a compelling, heart felt, brave piece, "Life as a Gay Teen," detailing the daily struggles he faces as a young gay man in America, which originally was published in your school newspaper. After receiving what you considered to be questionable comments, your administration pulled the piece in an effort to maintain a safe environment for all students.

I believe your actions were misguided, and not in line with the school's proclaimed desire to "respect and uphold the dignity of the vulnerable, including students who are attracted to the same sex." By removing Sean's piece you are sending a loud and dangerous message to all of your students: gay students will not be supported, but rather pushed aside and ignored. Bullies will not be disciplined or educated, but rather be dismissed without consequence.

You have an extraordinary chance to protect the rights of all your students to feel safe, secure, supported and celebrated during their education. Your school is one clearly dedicated to diversity, and you recognize that the teachings of the Bible are those of inclusion and support for all.

I urge you to republish Sean's column, as well as the accompanying editorial by the paper's staff. I also urge you to take lasting steps within your community to embrace diversity and establish an atmosphere of love and support. A Gay Straight Alliance would give all students a safe place to engage in conversation on the struggles of gay youth. Expanding your diversity club to include sexual orientation, and educating your staff on the best ways to recognize and combat bullying are all ways in which you can build a stronger community.

Young men and women are taking their lives because they weren't protected in school. Sean himself acknowledged such feelings. Now is your chance to step in and step up to ensure that all students feel welcome.

[Your name]

Press Inquiries