Via Minnesota’s Star Tribune:
The Anoka-Hennepin School District has agreed to pay a $25,000 settlement to the family of a high school junior after two teachers harassed the boy and subjected him to classroom jokes, comments and innuendos concerning his perceived sexual orientation.
. . . Alex Merritt says a $25,000 settlement is small consolation for the pain caused by two teachers who harassed him repeatedly with remarks about his perceived sexual orientation during classes in the Anoka-Hennepin School District during the 2007-2008 school year.
“A settlement doesn’t fix a broken heart,” said Merritt, who is now 18. “It doesn’t bring back all my friends.”
Merritt said the teachers’ comments, which he said weren’t true, spurred death threats and led him to transfer 25 miles away to Zimmerman High School, where he graduated in the spring.
This story kind of struck a tender spot — during junior high, two teachers tortured me, in class, calling me “faggot” and “queer” and other equally lovely names. Ah, youth.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I’m a new reader and I’m simply stunned that ANY teacher would do this to this boy or to you. I’m very, very sorry.
August 19th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Thank you for your concern. It still shocks me, too, looking back.