InfoAnda - Gay NY teen's harassment suit gets federal notice

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

China dissidents say unhappy birthday | 1 October 2009
Security increased in Kandahar before Eid | 12 November 2010
Clinton cultivates ties with moderate Muslim Malaysia | 2 November 2010

"Samantha Who?" canceled by ABC | 27 May 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Gay NY teen's harassment suit gets federal notice

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Gay NY teen's harassment suit gets federal notice By MICHAEL HILL,Associated Press Writer - Friday, February 5 Send IM Story Print MOHAWK, N.Y. – The bullying by classmates and taunts of "homo" only got worse after Jacob began dyeing his hair and wearing eyeliner in eighth grade. One student scrawled "I hope you die" on his shoe, he said; another drew a pocket knife on him. Jacob's grades dropped, and he missed school from fear. His father tried repeatedly to get school officials in their working-class village in upstate New York to help protect his son from harassment. The response by the Mohawk Central School District, according to a federal lawsuit, was to do "virtually nothing." "Everything was bad," Jacob _ who is identified as "J.L." in the lawsuit and didn't want to draw attention to his new school by having his last name used in this story _ said this week. "I hyperventilated when I left the school ... and I didn't want to come back the next day, or ever." The 15-year-old might soon get a measure of satisfaction. The lawsuit filed by Jacob and his father against the school district with the New York Civil Liberties Union could be close to settlement, according to both sides. The negotiations come as the U.S. Department of Justice seeks to intervene in the case, citing the "important issues" it raises in enforcing federal civil rights laws. "There is a growing recognition across the country that schools need to take harassment based on gender expression and homosexuality seriously," said NYCLU attorney Corey Stoughton. "If there is a settlement in this case, that's an affirmation of that principle." Justice officials say it's the first time since 2000 that they have argued that Title IX, the antidiscrimination law affecting schools that receive federal funding, covers sex discrimination based on gender stereotypes _ such as when a boy does not act or look stereotypically male. Stoughton said that while harassment based on gender nonconformity is widespread, there have been only a handful of legal cases like this nationwide. Mohawk School Superintendent Joyce Caputo said the district denies allegations in the lawsuit, but she stressed they are working with the NYCLU and the Justice Department to settle the suit in a way that benefits everyone. "We are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent bullying and to promote tolerance," she said. Mohawk is a village of modest clapboard homes set near the river of the same name and just east of Utica. Jacob said he did not face serious problems until he went to Gregory B. Jarvis Junior/Senior High School as a seventh-grader in fall 2007. That was about the time it became clearer that Jacob was different. By eighth grade, he wore eyeliner to school sometimes and would dye his hair bright blue or pink. He was out of the closet that school year. "People would ask and I'd say, 'Yeah, I'm gay, whatever. Peace out,'" he said. In an interview this week with his father at their home, Jacob said he was just being himself. That is, a teenager who loves to write songs, short stories and poems and who dreams about a career in the movies, maybe as a director or a writer. Dressed in a blue fleece and jeans, Jacob talked effusively about pop culture _ Pink is his favorite singer, "Orphan" a favorite movie. But his voice got softer when he talked about his experiences at Jarvis. The lawsuit claims the principal and other district officials did not follow their own anti-harassment policies. Teachers blocked him from going to a "safe room" set up for him. One teacher told him he should be ashamed of himself for being gay, according to court papers. Jacob's father, Robert Sullivan (he has a different last name), devoted himself to making sure his son was safe in school despite fighting Hodgkin's lymphoma. "I put the cancer stuff aside," Sullivan said, "because he doesn't have anyone to defend himself beside me." But Sullivan said he failed to make much progress. "You listen to your child cry at night and wish he was dead, and wish he wasn't here. It's a hard thing to go through," Sullivan said. "And you know you've got to send him back there the next day." The idea of a lawsuit came from someone at a support group Jacob attended, and the NYCLU sued in August. The Department of Justice asked to intervene last month, noting the suit's claims that Jacob was denied equal protections guaranteed in the Constitution and under Title IX, the antidiscrimination law affecting schools that receive federal funding. The department would not comment on the litigation, but gay rights supporters saw its involvement as evidence of a strengthened commitment under the Obama administration to the rights of people who are gay or who do not conform to gender stereotypes. However, it's now possible that a settlement will be reached before a judge decides whether the federal agency can intervene. The Justice Department would not comment in detail on the lawsuit. Jacob this week seemed happy just to put the trauma behind him. The family recently moved to the next town. Jacob started a new school and the experience has been like night and day, he said: "It's amazing. I have a lot of friends there." Sullivan's cancer is in remission. He said it's nice to see his son smile again, and he has hopes for their future. "As long as I can get to see him graduate high school," Sullivan said. "I think I can die happy." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Pentagon seeks billions to battle terror abroad AP - 1 hour 55 minutes ago Obama aunt testifies at her 2nd asylum hearing AP - 1 hour 58 minutes ago Mandela celebrates 20 years of freedom AP - 1 hour 59 minutes ago House faces tough vote on $1.9 trillion more debt AP - 2 hours 1 minute ago 2 Democrats call for tax on big bank bonuses AP - 2 hours 2 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Shell cuts jobs after profits plunge New scan 'reads mind' of brain-damaged patient Shell fourth-quarter profit dives 75% New US export strategy eyes Asia Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses Jackson doctor 'ready to surrender to police' Scientists 'grow' edible insects in Costa Rica New technique helps search for another Earth Iran leader's nuclear comments surprise West More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 5 February 2010
US military rushes delivery of bomb dogs to Iraq
Shell cuts jobs after profits plunge
US Congress to examine Google pro-democracy role
U.S. commander offers more upbeat Afghanistan view |
NY sues Bank of America alleging fraud in Merrill deal
Settler house to be evacuated in Jerusalem
Iraq condemns lifting candidate ban, MPs to meet
Watchdog urges Libya to stop blocking websites
Netanyahu assures Syria after Israeli FM's threat |
Metro reports best ever quarterly results
Sinn Fein says believes has basis for Northern Ireland deal |
Magnum Photos selling past to ensure future
Costa Rica poised to elect first woman president |
Two charged with selling Samsung trade secrets
Hackers rigging blogs, email, websites: Websense
Cisco profit up 23 percent, will hire up to 3,000
Mexico gangs cut into Super Bowl avocado bounty |
Greek minister not optimistic on Cyprus talks |
IMF chief says may quit early: for run in France? |
Two charged with selling Samsung trade secrets
Officials: Suicide bomb kills 3 in Afghan south
China migrant workers may not return from holiday
Thai PM downplays fears of Thaksin 'People's Army'
Hong Kong people should be angry with govt: activist
Beijing, Washington spar on trade as row rolls on
Kiradech shares lead at Thai golf Pro-Am
U.S. teens lose interest in blogging: study |
Uzbek film director faces jail over slander charge
India offers official talks with Pakistan
Obama aunt testifies at her 2nd asylum hearing
Video gamers get their skates on for Winter Olympics |
Report: China sentences 25 kidnappers to death
Dalai Lama to meet Obama at White House this month
NATO: 32 suspected militants killed in Afghanistan
Kiteboarder killed by sharks in rare deadly attack
New York AG filing civil charges against BofA
Man, 70, freed from jail after Nevada casino crash
Thomas: Some questioning of Court 'irresponsible'
Gay NY teen's harassment suit gets federal notice
Brown taking over the late Sen. Kennedy's seat
Path cleared for plea by former Intel executive
India growth seen back on track: IMF
Toyota's US woes compounded by Prius probe
India outsourcers forecast sharp export rise
Pakistan's forex reserves fall to $14.52 bln
Wayne Newton's abandoned jet rots at Mich. airport
Coroner: Casey Johnson's death diabetes related
Attorney says Jackson's doc is talking surrender
Art world hails record price for Giacometti
Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, anemia, drugs |
Polish banknote to mark Chopin anniversary
Jackson doctor negotiating surrender: lawyers |
China's Olympic swim centre to become water park
In a London bunker, robo-art comes to life
Review: Hot Chip calms down with 'One Life Stand'
AZ sweat lodge leader pleads not guilty in deaths
Camilla visits set of UK soap 'Coronation Street'
Not clear if Gaza war probes are credible -U.N.'s Ban
China envoy to visit North Korea; U.S. activist released |
Publishers, Amazon in flux in e-book pricing fray
Jackson doctor to surrender Friday: lawyer
Afghan women fear peace plans will reverse rights
N.Ireland parties agree devolution deal |
N.Ireland power-sharing saved as party backs deal
Blushing Pluto? Dwarf planet takes on a ruddier hue: NASA
Justice Dept says Google books deal troubled
Riot-hit Xinjiang capital at risk for years |
UN chief can't judge if Gaza probes are 'credible'
Not clear if Gaza war probes are credible: U.N.'s Ban |
Google, US intel teaming up to fight cyberattacks: reports
Iraq parliament to debate Saddam-era poll candidates
Malaysian media shapes battleground in Anwar trial |
Be 'reasonably polite' Engadget asks as comments return
Israel FM warns Assad will lose power if Syria goes to war
Samsung aims to triple smartphone sales in 2010
Discussing Iran sanctions hinders diplomacy
YouTube's Eun latest Google exec to join AOL
Google, NSA to team up in cyberattack probe
Venezuela opposition decries appointment of Cuban |
Sun CEO resigns... with a Twitter haiku
U.S. teens lose interest in blogging: study
Video gamers get their skates on for Winter Olympics
Samsung aims to triple smartphone sales in 2010
Google, NSA to team up in cyberattack probe |
US-born pandas on way 'home' to China
Publishers, Amazon in flux in e-book pricing fray |
Justice Dept says Google books deal troubled |
Riot-hit Xinjiang capital at risk for years
U.S. teens lose interest in blogging: study |
China sentences one to death for kidnapping
Video gamers get their skates on for Winter Olympics |
Report: Chinese envoy to visit NKorea next week
Samsung aims to triple smartphone sales in 2010 |
NKorea says it will free detained US missionary
Sen. Landrieu defends Medicaid deal for La.
Video game makers look for 2010 turnaround |
2-inch toy gun in school means trouble for NYC boy
Police release feng shui master in tycoon estate case
Netezza teams up with NEC to battle Oracle |
Global Weather-Celsius
YouTube's Eun latest Google exec to join AOL |
Prosecutors review CO middle school 'sexting' case
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Firm to pay $200K after importing lead-laden toys
RIM device development holds promise, analyst says |
China envoy to visit North Korea; U.S. activist released
3 charged over Malaysia Muslim prayer room attacks
Couple accused of abducting Dugard seek visits
Calif man to be sentenced for tattoo parlor arson
Police: Man stuffed 75 bottles of lotion in pants
Murder trial of man accused of tossing boy ending
NY court sniffs at ex-cop's drugged-dinner claim
Obama tells Democrats to keep faith
Seoul shares post lowest close in over 2 mths
Rio Tinto appoints new China chief
China announces anti-dumping steps on US chicken
Taiwan air force to get 3 helicopters from Europe
China to impose anti-dumping penalties on US chicken
Inflation in Philippines slips to 4.3 percent
Jackson doctor negotiating surrender: lawyers |
Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, anemia, drugs |
Toyota woes deepen as Prius recall looms
Oscar contenders vie for underdog status |
Global markets rout hits Asia
New art auction record may not be end, say experts |
International Potato Center opens Asia branch in China
Lady Antebellum set to crush Lil Wayne on U.S. chart |
Taiwan says to buy miltary helicopters from Europe
Who can afford Howard Stern? |
Jay-Z sues lender over loan for NYC property |
Hollywood loses landmark copyright case in Australia |
US justice department slams Google book deal
Up a favorite in quality Oscar race for animation |
Self-help guru in court on manslaughter charges
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Web-based mystery romance lures indie producer |
Springsteen wants name off lawsuit against NYC bar
Only in America: Legal duel over heart attack burger joints
Videogame star "Fallout 3" heading for Sin City
Kenny Rogers to mark 50 years in music on TV
The Who's Townshend defends Super Bowl performance
Coroner: Pneumonia killed Murphy, drugs had role
Iraq mortar attack kills 31 Shiite pilgrims
Euro hits nine-month dollar low
Car bombs kill 40 in Iraq, tensions simmer |
Facebook marks sixth birthday with new home page
Euro climbs back above $1.37 after US data
Israel's new rocket shield not going to Gaza front
Darfur rebel infighting drives 10,000 from their homes
British Airways losses widen, forecasts annual loss
British pub fights get safer with new design glasses
N.Ireland parties agree policing deal: British PM
Taliban reject deal with Afghanistan, West |
Blasts kill 32 at height of Iraq Shiite pilgrimage
U.N. Security Council may discuss Iran: Russia's Lavrov |
Dubai police may pursue Israel PM for Hamas killing
Bomb kills two, wounds up to 20 at Afghan dog fight
Twin blasts in Pakistan's Karachi kill about 22 |
After U.S. deal, Taiwan to buy helicopters from Europe |
Iraq condemns lifting candidate ban
Turkish Cypriot leader says peace talks progressing |
Dubai police may pursue Israel PM for Hamas killing: report |
UK troops pave way for massive NATO Afghan assault |
China warns locals to settle migrant pay disputes
NKorea says it will free detained US missionary
Bomb hit bus carrying Shiites in Pakistan, 11 dead
Immigrant smuggling raids hit Texas bus companies
Timberlake to get pudding pot from Harvard
Indonesia's controversial Obama statue to be moved
US military leaders faulted over Afghan ambush
Obama plan would expand some small-business loans
Blast hits Karachi hospital treating bomb victims
Media rights group slams Kazakh gag order
Urban farmers fight nationwide to sow green biz
Police: Casualties feared in Pakistan blast
Leader of feared Mexican cartel gets 17 years
3 Indians killed in Philippine road accident
Explorers' century-old whisky found in Antarctic
Alaska OKs some exotic cats; bars chimps, sloths
Obama to help commemorate 7 slain CIA employees
Washington cities clamp down on bikini baristas
The nation's weather
Toyota CEO to break silence amid recall crisis
HK man has 'zero interest' in buying Portsmouth
Panasonic returns to profit in third quarter
New photos of Marilyn Monroe up for sale |
Group: China passenger car sales up 84 pct in Jan.
Cambodia blasts Google map of disputed Thai border
S.Korea BOK plays down fallout from recent jitters
Avatar poised for eighth box office win |
South Korean won falls 1.6 pct vs dollar
New photos of Marilyn Monroe up for sale
Taiwan's Formosa to invest 20 billion dolllars in 2010
Robin Williams loses $6 million lawsuit |
Robin Williams loses $6 million lawsuit
Indonesia to remove Obama statue from public park
Indonesian Islamists block horror film: producers
Christie's to auction Michael Crichton art works |
Johns' 'Flag' owned by Michael Crichton to be sold
Somali pirates: the unlikely heroes of Kenya's fishermen
Kosovo tourist site: test case in Belgrade vs. Pristina
Christie's to auction Michael Crichton's art works
10 months on, Italian quake capital still an 'empty city'
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01