How sad was the decision by the parents and school board members of Olympia Fields, Richton Park and Park Forest to remove the triangle stickers from more than 100 classroom doors at schools meant to show lesbian, gay and bisexual youth that they are safe (“Schools ban gay-safe-zone signs; Rich Township removes triangles” (Metro, Jan. 14).
While it is often debated if homosexuality is a function of nature versus nurture, it is very clear that ignorance, discrimination and homophobia are very clearly a function of nurture. This is particularly disturbing because adolescence is a time when homosexuals are at the highest risk of suicide.
Rather than take the opportunity to teach their children about acceptance and tolerance, these adults opted to spread ignorance.
One can only hope these individuals would have more compassion and motivation to educate themselves, if their own children were to disclose homosexuality.
