Franklin McCallie, principal of Kirkwood (Mo.) High School, believes in discussing problems openly with faculty and students. In a September 1998 PA announcement (excerpted below), he addressed the use of put-downs related to sexual orientation. (see also Create an Unwelcome Environment for Hate Speech and Symbols..)

Last February, the Kirkwood Call conducted a survey of our student body concerning bullying and name-calling. I know that we have spoken many times over this Public Address system as to why some persons like to curse and ridicule others in the hallways and classrooms of our school. Last year many students complained to me of offensive language, and the khs staff was so often distraught over this subject that it was a frequent topic at faculty meetings. At khs our actions have often been much nicer than our words.

What surprised me about the Call survey was that 61 percent of the students answering said they insult people daily, with such words as "gay." Then I realized that the insult which I have heard most frequently in our school is not racial, not sexist, not anti-ethnic, but it is just as ignorant, insensitive, and wrong, yet many at this school seem not to notice. These words are "fag" and "faggot." And, yes, some students are so insensitive that they are probably laughing now, because they do not understand how much those words hurt other people. Actually, such insensitivity hurts us all. ...

Research tells us that a certain percentage of all human beings are gay or lesbian. I do not know whether the true number is the often quoted figures of 2 percent or 10 percent or in between. But I do know that there are recent statistics showing that gay and lesbian students - teenagers!! - are more likely than other students in this country to commit suicide or to attempt suicide. I cannot prove that this terrible situation is due to the brutal treatment many gay and lesbian students receive from the so-called straight population, but I see no room for name-calling or mistreatment of any person at Kirkwood High.

Students and staff: With few exceptions, we have begun this school year on such a high plane; let us keep this excellent standard. I call for courage on the part of every member of the Kirkwood family to stand for courtesy and respect for every other member of our Kirkwood family. ... My goal in this statement ... is that we treat each person with whom we come into contact with the courtesy and respect that each human being deserves. We will be kinder human beings and we will be a better school for it.