Coming to terms with my sexuality as a teenager was extremely stressfull. I felt isolated and alone. I didn’t know anybody else who was queer. As I came out at 15 plenty of my teachers knew. I was clearly having trouble coping emotionally, and some of my teachers were kind to me. The kindness shown to me by one paticular teacher is probably what gave me hope and prevented me from commiting suicide. But they never spoke to me about my sexuality. Because as Mr Studdarts case clearly show, it could have meant their job.

As someone who has worked with and knows a lot of queer youth, I’m telling you, that Mr Studdarts support of his students has made an impact. Not just of his students, but students nationwide and those of us who have been previous students of the Catholic school system. His support let them know that he respects them. I would not be the least suprised if his support has saved lives.

Every friend of mine who has commited suicide has been from a Christian (frequently Catholic) family and have been in the closet, too scared of their parents reaction to come out to them.

The question that needs to be asked is what is the priority for students within the Catholic education system? Is it to teach them catholicism, or to let them know that they are valuable human beings that are loved and respected and have a place in this world?

“2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church)

For me, the sentence, “Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided” is key.

I would boil that down to “don’t discriminate against gays”.

I admit that I’m purposefully ignoring some of the language in the catechism, such as “objectively disordered”, that mirrors some of the sentiments expressed in Richard’s original school newspaper article.

However, my point is that both Richard’s view and Nigel’s view are reflected in the catechism. Neither should be painted as bringing the school into disrepute or as failing to reflect Catholic (or indeed catholic) values. I think there should be room for both views within a Catholic school. But clearly there wasn’t. The loser is the school and the church.

Gay rights seems to be moving from being a moral issue to being a human rights issue — with religious organisations dragging the chain, and feeling somewhat embarrassed at finding themselves on the wrong side of a human rights issue.