Published on Facing History and Ourselves (http://www.facinghistory.org)
Gay Student’s Slaying in California Sparks Outcry, Demands for Better Tolerance
By jenniferg
Created 05/14/2008 - 15:25

Do you have a link we can include? Submit a link here. [1]

May 14, 2008

(International Herald Tribune, March 28, 2008) The article "Gay student's slaying in California sparks outcry, demands for better tolerance programs [2]," tells the story of fifteen-year-old Lawrence King, who was shot by another student on February 12, 2008 in Oxnard. Students report that he was taunted for being gay. "The tragic death of Larry King is a wake-up call for our schools to better protect students from harassment at school," said Carolyn Laub, executive director of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. The video "Palo Alto High Students Respond to Larry King Shooting [3]," [4] presents students' reactions to Lawrence King's death and their suggestions for how the school community should respond to hate crimes.

 

Films from Our Library:

The Celluloid Closet [5]

[6]Speak-Up!: Improving the Lives of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Youth [7]

Discussion Questions
  • Who in the school is responsible for responding to homophobia and bullying?
  • How does homophobia play out in your school? Where does it come from?
  • What factors encourage bullying and prejudice? What factors discourage bullying and prejudice?
  • What are some strategies that students can use if they are being harassed in school?
  • What are some ways in which schools can promote tolerance and prevent hate crimes in their community?
Related Facing History Resources
Homosexual Life Under Nazi Rule: The Legacy of Paragraph 175 [8]
Related Facing Today Resources
A Boy the Bullies Love to Beat Up, Repeatedly [9]

Note: The media selections posted in Facing Today do not necessarily represent the views of Facing History and Ourselves.
Source URL: http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/facingtoday/gay-student%E2%80%99s-slaying-california-sparks-outcry-demands-better-tolerance

Links:
[1] http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/facingtoday/submit-a-story
[2] http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/28/america/NA-GEN-US-Gay-Student-Killed.php
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqY4NWcWfSc&feature=user
[4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqY4NWcWfSc&feature=user
[5] http://www2.facinghistory.org/campus/reslib.nsf/llvideos/Celluloid+Closet?OpenDocument
[6] http://www2.facinghistory.org/campus/reslib.nsf/llvideos/Celluloid+Closet?OpenDocument
[7] http://www2.facinghistory.org/campus/reslib.nsf/llvideos/Speak+Up!:+Improving+the+Lives+of+Gay,+Lesbian,+Bisexual+and+Transgendered+Youth?OpenDocument
[8] http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/lessons/homosexual-life-under-nazi-rule-
[9] http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/facingtoday/a-boy-bullies-love-beat-up-r