Gay High School

Listen / Download

Separate but equal. It still has a place in American education. There are same sex schools, and all Black colleges. And now there’s a high school for gay students. Harvey Milk High School, the nation’s first all-gay, public high school opens its doors this Fall to 100 students and a whole lot of controversy.

Named after the slain gay rights activist, the school is sparking heated debate in New York City and beyond. Supporters says it’s a safe place for kids facing harassment and discrimination. Critics say they don’t want their tax dollars supporting special treatment for gay teens. Meanwhile, Mayor Bloomberg and some City Council members wish the issue would just go away. Segregation or integration? The debate over Harvey Milk High School.

Guests:

David Mensah, Executive Director of the Hetrick-Martin Institute, a gay lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth group that’s working with the Harvey Milk School

Jonathan Turley, professor at the George Washington University Law School

Feyla McNamara, bisexual student at Windsor High School in Windsor, Connecticut.