"Citizens for Community Values" attempted to intimidate SB Schools Superintendent (Part 2)

Hat Tip to Progressives, South Bend

In a letter to Superintendent Zimmerman dated April 17th, 2006, CCV's Patrick Mangan made a blatant attempt to intimidate the Superintendent of the South Bend Schools into the cancellation of Riley High School's participation in the 2008 Day of Silence. We're not sure why the date on the letter is 2 years off since it clearly references this years event.

South Bend Equality would like to take the opportunity to challenge the information presented as fact by Mr. Mangan.

Mr. Mangan refers to this event as "pro-homosexual"

In fact, the real purpose is this "The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. This year’s event was held in memory of Lawrence King, a California 8th-grader who was shot [in his school computer lab] and killed in February by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression."

Mr. Mangan states that "your participation will be used by homosexual activists to promote the homosexual agenda to school aged children".

Going back to the statement in regard to the real purpose of this event, there is no attempt to promote any kind of "homosexual agenda" but to simply try to bring an end to the name-calling, bullying and harassment of those who are GLBT, or perceived as such.

Mr. Mangan accuses Dr. Zimmerman of weighing into the "culture wars" and taking up the "homosexual cause"

It seems the only ones wanting to turn this into a culture war are those who want to turn a blind eye to the name-calling, bullying and harassment that occurs on a daily basis. All students deserve to be safe at school and to have an equal opportunity to learn.

Mr. Mangan suggests that Dr. Zimmerman failed to realize "the potential legal and public health and safety consequences for your school system, students, teachers and parents".

While we commend Mr. Mangan for not leaving anyone out of this veiled threat, it seems to be a statement lacking any substance. There are no legal cases referenced and no credible sources given for his opinion to be based on. While Mr. Mangan appears to be short on credible sources, we are not. Here's what the APA has to say about the issue.

"There is growing recognition that social prejudice and discrimination against lesbians and gay men take a cumulative toll on their well-being. Within lesbian and gay populations, those who more frequently feel stigmatized or discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, who feel compelled to conceal their homosexuality, or who are prevented from affiliating with other lesbian or gay individuals tend to report more frequent stress and other mental health concerns."

Perhaps Dr. Zimmerman has a better grasp of the facts than Mr. Mangan and chose the course of action which would promote the safety of all of his students.

Mr. Mangan addresses the issue of adolescents questioning their sexuality and finding, in time, that they are heterosexual.

This is nothing new. The process of moving through adolescence into adulthood involves question their identity in every area of their lives. The fact that the majority of these adolescents decide they are heterosexual only shows that the process is not damaging, but one of growth. In fact, we would say that Mr. Mangan's statement only shows that the process is working.

Mr. Mangan claims that, "because of the harms associated with this dangerous destructive lifestyle, schools that promote homosexuality to kids may be subject to legal liability if those children participate in dangerous sexual practices and contract deadly diseases such as AIDS or develop various psychological problems associated with homosexuality."

There's so much misinformation in that statement, it's hard to even know where to start. Once again, the threat contains no legal case reference to back up such claims of liability. IN already has an Age of Consent law. Violations of that law already have legal consequences attached to them. Unless school property, faculty or related personnel would be involved, we see no legal liability for the school system, especially since the true purpose of this event has already been addressed and it is not the promotion of homosexuality. If we use Mr. Mangan's reasoning, the school system could also be held responsible for the consequences of a heterosexual student having unprotected sex if the school failed to teach responsible sexual behavior. The idea is ludicrous.

Once again, the claims of homosexuality being dangerous, destructive or that they have anything to do with mental illness have been debunked long ago by every credible medical and psychological association.

"Over 35 years of objective, well-designed scientific research has shown that homosexuality, in and itself,is not associated with mental disorders or emotional or social problems. For more than 25 years, both the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association have urged all mental health professionals to help dispel the stigma of mental illness that some people still associate with homosexual orientation."

The consequences of discrimination, harassment and bullying against GLBT individuals (or those perceived as such) has been shown to cause problems such as Mr. Mangan addresses.

Mr. Mangan also seems greatly concerned about those with "traditional values" having their civil rights compromised.

Interestingly, in one of the most publicized protests against the 2008 Day of Silence, the "No Special Rights" website proudly posts an email from Mission America (one of the groups behind the opposition to DoS) that ends with this:

Junior Landon Wilson, wearing an Uncle Sam costume, joined members of the Mount Si Student Conservative Club in handing out red, white and blue ribbons.

He said the group was offering what it considered to be American values as an alternative to an endorsement of the Day of Silence. . .

Seems to us that this school allowed both sides an opportunity to express themselves. It's equally interesting that, while claims have been made that students remaining silent for one day is disruptive to the learning environment, neither Mr. Mangan, nor Mission America seems to find a student dressed as Uncle Sam and handing out ribbons, the least bit disruptive.

For more information on the day at Mount Si HS, here's the view from a blogger who was an eye witness to the protest that day.

In addressing Mr. Mangan's concern as to

"how poorly gays treat ex-gays"

We're not even sure how this is relevant to the Dos but perhaps Mr. Mangan should read current information on this issue. The article posted may have come from a gay publication but it gives both sides ample coverage of their positions. That post also contains links to other information regarding the reality of the ex-gay movement from credible sources.

Without a doubt, the most outrageous statement Mr. Mangan makes is this:

"Of course we oppose all bullying and believe that everyone should be treated with respect."

While we appreciate Mr. Mangan's emphasis by using bold font, it's hard to see where respect is anywhere to be found in any of the previous statements Mr. Mangan has made about homosexuals. If we are to believe what he has stated about us, we are no more than violent, mentally ill, diseased people who wish to promote a so-called dangerous destructive lifestyle to young, vulnerable children and then use them to promote our so-called homosexual agenda.

We would offer that Mr. Mangan himself has made the best case for why the Day of Silence is still a necessary event. We can only wish for the day when respect and a safe learning environment for all students is a reality. Until that time, perhaps Mr. Mangan would do best to stop making unsubstantiated statements (such as claiming that gays are more responsible for acts of violence against other gays) and look at actual facts.