Diaries of a schoolyard homo
It wasn’t uncommon for me to be found in music class during lunchtime at school, safely distant from a schoolyard teaming with homophobic bullies. I didn’t think myself particularly camp, but the pricks knew. They’d known since primary school, perhaps even before I’d completely realised myself that I was into boys instead of boobs.
Sculpting my hair with hairspray was probably a little obvious. As was my mum’s blusher I’d sometimes apply for that healthy sun-kissed glow.
The taunts followed me into year 10, but I found solace among the smart kids, the artistic and musical kids — the Gleeks as we are calling them at the moment.
I spent my senior years in a selective state school, where it was almost cool to be creative, emotionally intelligent or brainy. But an undercurrent of disdain lingered.
I was different. And I used product.
Bigotry in our schools is rampant, as last week’s Sydney Star Observer article on the Macquarie Grammar hubbub reminded me. I was luckier than most, escaping the bashings. I was strong, and I had the gift of the gab. Ironic, also, that I was crushing on some of my tormenters, which might explain the attraction to bad boy types. I know, Freudian much?
It sucked. But I’m no victim. And my plight wasn’t unique.
I don’t know of any gay-friendly schools, but anti-discrimination policies are a start. HSC results suggest public schools continue to provide better education. Unlike religious private schools where discrimination is rife for students and employees alike.
Elitist breeding grounds for pious dogma, many private schools are little more than dull, myopic institutions where archaic codes alienate students to the point of suicide and motivate bullies to maim and murder. Queer kids can’t take their partner to the formal, gay teachers are arbitrarily labelled pedophiles, and fanatical loons dictate with a tightly clenched wanker’s fist.
I heard recently that Gen Y is apparently less likely to harbour bigotry and more inclined to support equalities such as our right to marry the person we love. And so we have an epic debt of gratitude to the change-makers who fought so hard for the rights we sometimes take for granted. Remember that.
Our rights are human rights, after all.
And while I may have outgrown my girly grooming phase, there’s nothing wrong with a spot of day makeup for the style-conscious student, is there?
I ONLY have the need to use ONE name Polly Waffle and that is MINE. Which is more than I can say for YOU!!!
Rose how many names do you use on these forums? stop using CAPS!!? Netiquette honey
dont we have any gay friendly schools in sydney ? I went to an all boys school too and it was the toughest time of my life….. names DO really hurt…. they have only made me stronger
PS: My remarks are directed at the generalizations made by Rose and any number of bitter old cynics who think it is fashionable to criticize geny for the hell of it.
I work hard, pay tax and my mortgage as do most of my mates and Im so over the stereotypes.
Cool article Damien. I went to private school and it was living hell. Its funny how those from school who harassed me want to be friends on twitter and facebook etc now. They hated me and I hated them. Why would I want to befriend them?? Who is laughing now losers!!
I agree we support gay and lesbians rights more than the generations that came before us. But gee I am sick and tired of hearing how lazy, unintelligent and selfish I am simply because I belong to geny. Enough of the stereotypes please!!
The NSW Anti-Discrimination Act is specific.
I can only lodge a complaint as a person of the relevant characteristic,ie,a male homosexual.I can’t lodge a complaint on the behalf of a lesbian or a transgender.
If I was to do this the defendant (the respondent) would successfully have my complaint struck out on the grounds I don’t have the relevant characteristic.
Perhaps Rose you should look up the NSW ADAct 1977 and brief yourself on it.It is fairly complex law.
My work taken as a whole has a rippling effect where it will promote tolerance and understanding for all minority Australians.
Hopefully in this group it will take in all members of the homosexuality communities.
I use my homosexuality to lodge these complaints but my public message is much broader because it is foremost about the promotion of “tolerance”.
I am sorry if you misunderstood the intention of the above correspondence.
Hopefully now you will have a better understanding of me and my work ?
hmmmmm ! I did actually enjoy this article. So generation y are MORE likely to support our RIGHTS hmmm ? I doubt that as most people will tell you they are only spoilt SELFISH no hopers ! Gary Burns says he “can now make it safer for other gay men” BUT what about gay WOMEN mr gay ACTIVIST ? Or tranis ? Or bi ? Hmmmm ?!!
Well written Damien.
I was bullied when at Moree High in the bush.
My teachers did nothing as my head was flushed down the lavatory.
My books were pissed on by all these so call tough boys.
I was repeatedly called a cock-sucker and a poofter.
As you say in your article the boys seem to know we will be enjoying a-bit of cock sucking later on in our lives.
I don’t know how they knew.
I didn’t really know what I was.
I just knew I was different.
Geez I have copped a-lot of shit all my life because of my difference.
Nobody now sees me as weak.
My tortured schooling days has led me to gay activism.I can now help make it safer for other gay men.
I have the courage and the determination to never give up in this work.
I can cop the knockers now.
Because I know they don’t have my courage.
I have all the bullies to thank because without them bullying me I may have rolled over and did nothing.
As Bette Davis always said,”no guts no glory”.