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07-29-2003, 03:11 PM
The Harvey Milk High School, a high school specifically for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender pupils will open in New York this September.
According to the New York Post, it will be the first publicly funded school of its kind and aims to have 170 pupils within a year.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: “Everybody feels that it`s a good idea because some of the kids who are gays and lesbians have been constantly harassed and beaten in other schools and this lets them get an education without having to worry."
For nearly the last two decades the schools has been operating unofficially as an alternative programme with just two classrooms.
William Salzman, the Principal of the Harvey Milk High School told the New York Post: “This school will be a model for the country and possibly the world. This is not a touchy-feely situation. We intend to have 95% of our students go on to college."
State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long criticised the school as "social engineering" and a waste of taxpayers` money.
He said: "Is there a different way to teach homosexuals? Is there gay math? This is wrong. This makes absolutely no sense.There`s no reason these children should be treated separately. What next? Maybe we should have schools for chubby kids who get picked on. Maybe all kids who wear glasses should have special schools. It`s ridiculous".
According to the New York Post, it will be the first publicly funded school of its kind and aims to have 170 pupils within a year.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: “Everybody feels that it`s a good idea because some of the kids who are gays and lesbians have been constantly harassed and beaten in other schools and this lets them get an education without having to worry."
For nearly the last two decades the schools has been operating unofficially as an alternative programme with just two classrooms.
William Salzman, the Principal of the Harvey Milk High School told the New York Post: “This school will be a model for the country and possibly the world. This is not a touchy-feely situation. We intend to have 95% of our students go on to college."
State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long criticised the school as "social engineering" and a waste of taxpayers` money.
He said: "Is there a different way to teach homosexuals? Is there gay math? This is wrong. This makes absolutely no sense.There`s no reason these children should be treated separately. What next? Maybe we should have schools for chubby kids who get picked on. Maybe all kids who wear glasses should have special schools. It`s ridiculous".