Benilde-St. Margaret censors student anti-homophobia editorials

• I personally was a student under Skinner for a few years and we had really grat discussions. I always found her to be such an amazing, smart and really wise woman. I attented catholic school and I am gay. First off anyone who is NOT gay cannot say that there is no teasing or bullying. You cannot even pretend to know whether or now kids are being bullied. Even a joking "fag" can be HIGHLY offensive to someone. Fag is still a hurtful name just as the n word to black people or the s work to spanish people. Simply put you have never experienced it first hand. This article was written as an opnion peice. So what the church now wants to decide what editorials can go in? Yes it is a private school with private funding, but editoral is what it is, one person's opnion. I am ashamed at Skinner. These actions are not very christian like. Look it's not about whether you agree or not or even if this is the approipate venue or not it's about bullying. It's about stopping the harassment against not only gays but what about fat kids or foreign kids or whatever. Why is ACCEPTANCE SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND? IT BOILS DOWN TO SIMPLY ACCEPTANCE OF EACHOTHER AS HUMAN BEINGS. If people cannot do this they themselves have lost their humanity. Why is this such a difficult concept to grasp?

• Anonymous BSM alum I am sorry that you experienced that. I graduated '07 and I guess I never saw anything. Granted, most of my friends as well as myself that have come out didn't do so until after graduation, but I really don't remember negative comments. The Catholic church has always had its views, but it is a catholic school. I never felt as if there was any bullying and I never hear those words in the halls. Once again I am really sorry that you were forced to experience that at BSM. I hope that were ever you are at now is a better place

• I'm a '09 graduate of BSM. I'm gay, I was openly gay in high school and I was bullied. I can't believe ppl are saying that gay kids dont get bullied at Benilde, are you out your mind? you dont think that hearing people saying faggot and dyke EVERY DAMN DAY has an affect on a person's psyche? What if a black kid had to here the N word every day at school?

• I think one thing that seems to be glossed over in these discussions is that these were opinion columns. The article "bashing" the archdiocese was not ever presented as the opinion of the school. As far as I am concerned students, faculty, and Catholics are well within their rights to question the beliefs of their church. It is no different than our right to question our government. Of course, there are those on here saying "if you don't like it than leave", however that seems as extreme as leaving the country because you don't like your President. Should a large group of people within a religious community not have the right to speak up when they disagree? Church doctrine often changes as does biblical interpretations. After all we all do not interpret the bible in its literal form. The Knight Errant never tried to pass off the opinion column as the opinion or belief of BSM. In fact there is a very unbiased article on the website that is a true news piece. To ignore the controversy and the mixed reaction to the Archbishop's DVD mailing would be ignoring the elephant in the room. To question the true feelings of Sean or suggest that he might be exaggerating his experience for some reason is ludicrous. As far as the pulling of the articles. I do agree that the comments had gotten heated and I could see the school's point. I think this was especially a concern when there were people posting anonymously as there is no accountability for the things you say. I think that the school is also in a tough spot as they try to navigate a polarized community. That said, at the end of the day this is an educational institution and thoughtful, respectful discussion should be encouraged. This can be done while clearly articulating the Church's doctrine on certain issues. I am saddened to see so much name calling and personal attacks within these comments. To attack someone for posting similar comments on two different sites is ridiculous. Isn't it better to be consistent. To call names is simply showing that you don't have the intellectual tools necessary to articulate your opinion effectively.

• Here's the cached version, as provided by Jennifer above: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14941078/kecensorcache.htm Notice the parent toward the end of the comments thread: "As a parent of a BSM student I am thrilled to see this dialog occurring. Whatever your beliefs, being able to articulate them in a passioned and articulate manner is the hallmark of an exceptional education." The school reacted by pulling the article in question to protect students from the very discussion that prompted that reaction. (Un)Holy Cow.

• I'd absolutely recommend people look at the cached version of the article, here, and specifically at its comment area. The kids at that school did a lot better job of discussing this issue with each other than those here. The whole "level of intensity" thing falls apart when you look at those comments. That's a convenient fiction -- it's a "be scared for your kids" smoke screen.

• The risible arguments being made in favor of removing the article and the editorial, here, are astonishing. Aside from sneering about "degenrate" liberal attitudes and suggesting that Catholic doctrine hasn't changed in 2,000 years (cough cough divorce cough cough), could you actually read the cached version of the article provided here, and react to the substance of what's been said there? Just the attempt at a two-fer in the School's official excuse pretty much vitiates any sense of their moral coherence on this one: "This particular discussion is not appropriate because the level of intensity has created an unsafe environment for students. As importantly, the articles and ensuing online postings have created confusion about Church teaching." Ah yes. The "level of intensity" bit means that, when people went nuts in the comment area and displayed their hateful natures, you let their asinine attitudes silence the author. Way to have a spine. Plus: "created confusion" about Catholic doctrine. Because some of our parents actually don't want to have their kids reminded that, you know, other people exist who believe other things and who deserve a measure of human respect. There's "confusion" about that.

• In the midst pressing civil issues like the deteriorating living wage, violation of "just war theory" (Iraq), record poverty and military spending, child protection concerns (priest pedophiles), and record high usury/predatory lending practices, the catholic archdiocese of Minneapolis St Paul, of all issues they could have addressed on their DVD going out to thousands, they pick the gay marriage issue. This is not an organization anyone should be following or giving a dime to. I practiced with the catholics for many decades. They think what they are doing is more important than helping prevent gay teen suicide. To you open minded BSM students; "STAY STRONG". The church always gets exposed for the dinosaur that they are.

• Kate that is a question I have asked the school personally and all I got in response was that what happened raises question about church teachings and that the administration will be setting up rules with KE as to what is okay to publish and what isn't. I want to believe what the school initially said about not wanted to remove the post, but have a hard time believing it.

• To Kate: A valid question and perhaps the real one here? BSM pulled the article based on comments, not the article content (from my understanding). Perhaps the question we should ask BSM is Why not disable comments? Was there a faculty memeber that had access to screen the comments posted? BSM failed by pulling the article. They should have just pulled the comments. And for those who used the comment area (of the article) to continue immature and hateful comments(those of you OUT of high school that is)please remember what group of students are reading your writing and how they can take your words the wrong way.Typing does not give you a "tone of voice" to convey your message. Bottom Line, no matter what side, we need to respect everyone or we will continue to get no where. Your God,Their God and Our God told us to love.Unconditionally.

• "Catholic education" or "religious school" may be the problem here. Religion teaches accepting certain things on faith and not asking questions. Education requires the asking of questions.

• If the controversy was supposedly all about the comments section after the article and not about the article itself, why didn't they just disable the comments, as websites are known to do when things get out of hand?

• Jeff-- I think you miss understand what i am trying to say. The members of the church have rights to do what they please so long as those rights don't impose on the rights of others. The church doesn't need to allow gay marriage, but it shouldn't be able to stop the state from allowing so. The state can never force a catholic church to marry a gay couple, but why would the church stop the state from allowing a gay couple equal rights? The main point as to what all of these articles that have been posted are about is that censoring the articles has shed light on a topic that obviously needs to be discussed. The amount of press that BSM has gotten in the last 24 hours is overwhelming. And I am happy that the news media of minneapolis did not take this lying down.

• I am going to have to respectfully disagree with Claire's suggestion that the "separation of church and state" exists to protect the state from religion. On the contrary, it is to protect religion from the state. Specifically, the "wall of separation between church and state" that Thomas Jefferson once wrote about, in a letter to a Baptist minister, was to assure the minister that the government would not entangle itself in religious affairs. The Constitution itself, of course, contains no language regarding the "separation of church and state" but rather indicates that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibit the free exercise thereof....". If that somehow delineates a confined role for the church in society, I guess I can't it out in the actual text. I also take issue with the statement "Personally the church can do what ever it wants to, but only within the church." Not to burst a bubble here, but the church is not some cozy club where people get together to do whatever turns their spiritual crank. The church can, and should, say anything it wants, any time it wants, as often as it wants, and as loudly as it wants--that's what "free speech" is all about. The church may strive to not be "of the world", but it is nonetheless very much "in the world", just like you, just like me, and its proper scope in "the world" is every time and place in all of human history.

• @ Dan Fabiano - I guess BSM didn't teach you the differences between "your" and "you're".

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• gay

• This article is pretty Gay.

• Brendan- I found it to be relevant in both places, but thanks for your pointless criticism. Try to stick to the actual topic rather than criticize the way other people choose to comment. In my opinion someone playing the victim wouldn't do something as brave as what Sean did. Perhaps he will write another article about how support has helped him, but for now he was making a courageous statement about a very important issue. I do see your point, but I think if he were to write about how being gay at his age is so easy because of how nice everyone is to him he wouldn't be fooling anyone. It's tough at that age and it's time for that to change. I hope his article in some way makes it easier for the next person.

• Steve and Zach are the only people on here that are speaking the truth. The issue at Benilde is not about whether people are "bullying" gays, but it is about the criticism of the Catholic Church. I currently attend BSM and know first hand that the homosexuals there are not being harassed in anyway. Aside from the occasional "fag" that friends use to make fun of each other, no harassment happens, especially not directed at those few homosexual students. Nearly everyone at school supports Sean, and no one "bullies" him. Both of the articles should never have been published. The Knight Errant screw up big time by criticizing the Archdiocese. The Knight Errant is a newspaper run by a Catholic school which is sponsored by the Archdiocese. It is embarrassing to go to Benilde now. A couple defiant students think that going against the beliefs of their school (keep in mind the Archdiocese partially funds BSM so students have a lower cost to attend the school, as opposed to schools like Blake) as well as the Church is extremely offensive to those that believe in the Catholic faith. I couldn't agree more with Zach that this has become a self-centered movement. I feel that animosity has been increasing lately in the school because the pro-gay people have pushed their beliefs far past what is acceptable. The school needs to set a precedent for what is acceptable and what the Church believes. And please stop wearing your rainbow clothes... it's not going to help anything.

• @Ray Marshall, I couldn't agree more with your claim that the Catholic Church is not a debating society. For 2,000 years they have denied truth solely because it conflicted with their own, ignorant beliefs. Time after time, new scientific discoveries have been made and the Catholic Church has flatly denied them. The completely wrong teachings of the Church range from their denial of Galileo's claim that the sun, not the Earth, was indeed the center of the universe to the ancient (and Biblical) Catholic teaching that slavery was acceptable. The church�s inability to adapt to changes in society is a large reason for the loss of religious devotion in youth today. I can tell you this first hand, as I spent my first 12 grades of education at Catholic schools. And then you question the impact of youth, which might be the most foolish part of your whole comment (which is quite an accomplishment, given some of the ridiculous things you have said). Don�t forget that it won�t be much longer and these �17 year olds� will be grown adults. Adults who run this country, make laws, and ultimately determine the fate of the Catholic Church. Oh and next time you so quickly run to defend the opinion of orthodox Catholics, remember that your church was the same church that justified crusades, persecuted scientists, damned unborn babies, and molested children. My only hope for you is that one day you will be able to step back from the teachings of the church and the Bible and see the truth.

• Claire, To say BSM is "conservative and narrow minded" is a joke. I attend BSM and consider myself fairly conservative, trust me, if it was conservative I'd be much happier. The vast majority of facutly & staff are liberal, almost painfully so. Taking down the articles had nothing to do with their content (they never would of gone up if so). They were taken down because the comments (from both sides) had detracted into name calling and threats. BSM is a very open, welcoming school. They are arguably one of the most liberal Catholic schools around and fight the Churchs conservative influence much more than people like you realize. All this being said this article is an abomination to what actually happened. Bernardo's little stunt was uncalled for, misguided and frankly a desperate cry for attention. BSM and the majority of its students support Sean, the only thing that will change that is punks like Bernardo detracting from his cause with their self-centered, look at me antics

• People have always challenged the church, and changes do happen. There's a little thing called, the Reformation, Martin Luther did not want a new church he wanted his to basically grow up and in time almost all of Luther's issues with the Catholic church were reformed and dealt with. Or Vatican 2, hundreds of pages of revising exactly what the members of the church are to believe on every doctrine. It's not just 17 year olds pushing for change its lots of people. Personally the church can do what ever it wants to, but only within the church. The state is separate for a reason, so that the rights of the church do not and cannot infringe on the rights of the legal system. No one is really asking the church to change we are asking the legal system to accept us and wish the church would stop butting its nose in where it doesn't belong. As far as spending good money. A catholic education is one that i'm happy to have had. Benilde up until recently I believed was a loving and welcoming environment that cared about its student body. It was a liberal catholic school at least while i was there. It was a supportive school with small class sizes that encouraged health debate. I'm sorry to see that it has become like every other catholic school, conservative and narrow minded.

• Why do people think that the Catholic Church is a debating society? For 2,000 years it has taught the Truth of Jesus Christ as handed down by the Apostles and their successors. And 17 year old kids thinks that they know something different and because of them the Church will change? Why do parents spend good money to send their kids to schools where their kid loves to start arguments? Boxing would be a good sport to teach them at much less expense.

• RSW - The point of this isn't to bash the Catholic church, it's to comment on the posted article. Thanks. I agree that a Catholic school needs to be careful about what the publish under their name, but there is no reason for them to censor something that opposes their views. If the article had been written and simply cited as from BSM, I'd agree with the censorship, but the article only expresses the viewpoint of one person, not the entire community. I applaud Sean for having the courage to write and submit the article, knowing well that he would be subject to the ridicule and harassment of others; it shows great strength.

• Interesting Andrew, your comments are the same on both this and CBS, way to think........... In his article, Sean continues to mention the times that he is bullied or treated without respect. Sure it takes a lot of courage to write something like this, but he really does a great job of playing the victim in doing so. He goes on about how he is oppressed and leads such a hard life in which many people look down upon him, but I feel that he should pick his chin up and also write about the positives or how he has had support, then he would be a much greater influence to other people that haven't mustered up the courage to do what he has done.

• It's a private school so the only thing the school will listen to is money. If they get enough bad press and their attendance drops, then they will change. It's the same with all organizations that tell children that invisible sky creatures will punish them for their evil ways. If enough people stop giving them money, they'll change their tune. Nothing will happen otherwise.

• SKINNER!

• To anyone who says that the article about the DVD did not belong in a Catholic School newspaper. I find it convenient that that is your stance, yet its perfectly OK for a Catholic Church to send out propaganda about marriage laws despite seperation of church and state. If the archdiocese has a green card to send out its opinions about law, than certainly a gay student in a catholic school should be able to stand up for himself in a school newspaper.

• Apathetic- it is a policy, not necessarily a belief. I think if you'd ask around, you'd find there are many Catholics that do NOT agree with the Catholic stance on homosexuality- they do not believe it is a sin/taboo. Flapjack, try again when you can spell.

• As a BSM student I can say that 1st of all neither of the articles were anti homophobia, one was a story about a students experience as a gay teenager and the other was an editorial about a DVD that the catholic church released. The editorial article had no place in that newspaper. The editorial bashed and criticized the church for its actions. Seeing that we are a catholic school, and we are a part of the archdiocese, that article had no business being in a Catholic school's newspaper.

• Get over it. It's a privately funded Catholic school. They don't need to embrace your degenrate liberal agenda. Try again when you can understand that.

• To Dan Fabiano, easy for you to say without actually being a gay high school student. Good for you for not being a part of it but absolutely every single gay teen endures some sort of harrasment. If you don't have an opinion on it, stay out of it, but respect that if people feel they are being harrassed they have a right to make a statement against it. The fact that you even refer to the struggle for gay rights as "drama" is a derogatory stereotype. I understand that you were trying to make a point that everyone should just live their lives and not worry about what everyone else is doing, which I do agree with. But have some respect, the "drama" you referred to has lead young people all over the country to kill themselves, not exactly something that should be taken lightly.

• Although personally I 100% side with the Knight Errant and I applaud the student for being brave enough to write the article I will try to give an unbiased opinion. I think the biggest issue is that the article itself merely stated that all students, gay or straight, deserve respect. The naysayers of this article who applaud the administration for taking it down should be ashamed of themselves. Here is a brave student making a stand for respect all around, a thing that Catholics should all stand for, and he is ridiculed (many of the comments said they were not ridiculing the student, but then continue to tell him he will go to hell)and then censored. Not once in the article did the student try to push his beliefs on anyone else, with the exception of his belief that he should be allowed to attend school without being bullied. I find it dissapointing that this is still an issue today and I find it completely ludacris that people have the nerve to attack a young student for standing up for himself. Although I have mixed feelings about why in fact the adminstration took the article down, I do believe that taking it down stands against everything the article calls out for. I personally think it should be reinstated so that BSM can take a stand and show that they at least stand in agreement that the bullying needs to stop. So much for my unbiased opinion...oh well.

• Its fantastic to see some real Americans standing up for the equal rights of all people. I sincerely hope that you are successful in reinstating the articles to their proper place.

• Being Catholic and a Grad of BSM and St.Thomas I think these institutions need to have open pathways for people to discuss the issues and how students and parents feel about them. I praise the student who wrote the article for having the courage to do so.

• First off, this "Catholic" institution should have never allowed this article bashing Archbishop Neinstedt's decisions to be published in their school newspaper. You need to have more regulation in Catholic schools, and shall never allow an article openly criticizing the archdiocese in which BSM operates under to even be published. Now a few loud students with their classmates support are speaking out against the schools actions to censor the article ripping the archdiocese. Are you kidding me?

• FYI, the church's view on homosexuality isn't a policy, it is a belief. How do GLBT organizations feel when outsiders tell them their views and beliefs are wrong? di�ver�si�ty? ? [dih-vur-si-tee, dahy-] �noun, plural -ties. 1. the state or fact of being diverse; difference; unlikeness. 2. variety; multiformity. 3. a point of difference. Diversity doesn't mean we all have to agree with homosexuality or gay marriage. Diversity means we are all different. We are all different with our sexuality, our faith, and our views. Don't condemn a private educational institution if they do not have the same views as you. That would be like condemning a homosexual because he is different.

• I graduated from Benilde, and I'm more than a little saddened by this. I used to be able to tell people that yeah, I went to a Catholic school, but it was a pretty liberal Catholic school---not anymore.

• I attended BSM and am not catholic, but went there for the loving and welcoming environment they preach about so loudly. And I received it. I don't know what has changed in the years since I've graduated. But I remember a rainbow flag in a religion classroom and speak of loving all no matter what their differences. My views and the views of the church have often conflicted, but I respect those views to the extent that others are allowed the right to believe them so long as their rights do not infringe on mine. We don't have to agree with each other but we do need to respect each other. Meredith, for the record the administration didn't want to have to take down the article on being a gay teen, but due to many hateful anonymous comments had no choice but to do so. BSM has always been one of the more forward thinking, liberal Catholic schools in the metro ( and that's what I loved about it). If you don't find it conservative enough try Providence.

• I applaud the students for taking on this serious issue. It only draws more attention to some of the more antiquated facets of the Catholic Church. Just because it is church policy doesn't make it right. Catholicism and Christianity have held some pretty wretched stances in the past which are no longer "church policy". Moreover, schools, regardless of religious affiliation, need to make sure that students' health and well-being are taken seriously. Don't assume that because it wasn't talked about in the past that that meant that GLBT students weren't suffering in silence. This issue needs a voice, and a loud one!

• ZACH: who would think that a CHILD has the ability to chose the school they attend? that is entirely in the hands of the parents. I didn't have a say in what high school I attended, and better believe I tried my hardest to switch to different schools several times. But I was at the mercy of my parents who believed in the Catholic teachings and, therefore, chose a Catholic school.

• Just because one chooses to go to an academic institution does not mean he or she does not have the right (or even responsibility) to draw issue with the policies he or she find objectionable. In fact, as a student myself, I can tell you that most policy changes at my university have come from student input! The articles speak to the strength of the institution in that they provide their students with a forum to voice their opinions. My guess is that the editorials were published precisely so they could start a discourse on LGBT issues, especially those concerning LGBT youth. Mission accomplished! The journalism program's accolades are well deserved.

• I personally think all this "gay" talk is getting out of hand. It's obviously very noticeable in todays culture and its becoming something to just create more drama. I knew MANY people at BSM that were gay, or came out after highschool. However Catholics don't preach or condone homosexuality so why would it even be considered in the school paper, blog, and Facebook..? In no way am I bashing or going against the gay community as I have a brother, uncle, and 3 cousins that are gay. Just live your own damn life. If your gay your gay, if your straight your straight. Funny thing is, when I attended school at BSM, not ONCE did I see harassment directed towards anyone that was or may have been gay. Stop promoting your own drama. LIve your own life.

• At Meredith: I wonder if you got the chance to read the articles. Firstly, the editorial does not denounce the Catholic Church's views on homosexuality; it merely editorializes that the Catholic Church shouldn't be butting in on same-sex marriage legislation, a civil issue, and to do so would compromise the U.S.'s seperation of church and state. Secondly, the opinion piece by Sean Simonson didn't denounce the Catholic Church's stance on homosexuality either. He merely said "Hey guys, it sucks to be a gay teenager; so let's cut the mean jokes and snide remarks." Here's a cached version of Sean Simonson's opinion piece (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14941078/kecensorcache.htm). Unfortunately, I can't find a cached version of the editorial.

• For the record--the article on the DVD sent out by the Archbishop was not "anti-homophobia" as this blog states. Do not try to appeal to your readers with misnomers.

• Very nice Knight Errant for getting this out there! Bernardo- you rule. Loved seeing you "telling" the school what you thought with the duct tape today.

• In a Catholic School, it is not appropriate for a SCHOOL funded newspaper to print anti-Catholic views. This clearly defies Supreme Court rulings, and BSM has every right to take down these anti-Catholic views. I applaud the administration for finally taking down the articles, even though it happened too late.

• In a Catholic School, it is not appropriate for a SCHOOL funded newspaper to print anti-Catholic views. This clearly defies Supreme Court rulings, and BSM has every right to take down these anti-Catholic views. I applaud the administration for finally taking down the articles, even though it happened too late.

• Is it really censorship if it is enacted by the publisher, or is just editing at that point? Mildred: What're you rebelling against, Johnny? Johnny: Whaddya got?

• Here's a thought. If you don't agree with the Catholic Church and its teaching then don't CHOOSE to attend a Catholic school. No one here has forced Bernardo or any of the students involved to attend BSM. They knew when they CHOSE to attend BSM (at long standing Catholic Institution) what they were choosing.

• not talking about tough issues it the right call sue skinner... NOT! way to be students of the Knight Errant staff and props to you Bernardo!

• I'm very proud that these high school students have taken such a powerful stance on this issue. I hope this sends a message to the Archdiocese that it's high school students are going to be loudly defiant of the Catholic Church's stance on gays in the church.

• I remember when, back in 1982, the teacher in my Senior Sex Education class (yes, that is when the Catholic Church finally gets around to teaching about sex) at the Academy of Holy Angels came out and said that the Catholic Church's views on Hhomosexuality were wrong "and here's why..." Sadly, and not surprisingly, he was not back next semester. Between that and the union busting done by the Catholic Church among its rank and file employees, it is really sad to see how un-Christlike many of their actions really are. I miss the old days of Vatican II.

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