Name-calling and crude comments are just something that boys do all the time, according to Tonganoxie, Kansas School District attorney Stephen Pigg. A Kansas City federal jury disagreed and awarded $250,000 to Dylan Theno, a former Tonganoxie student, in a lawsuit against the school district for failing to take sufficient action in response to his complaints of sexual harassment.
The Gender Public Advocacy Coalition ( GenderPAC ) applauded the court decision saying it was time—past time—for the justice system, educators, parents, and students to put a stop to gender-based bullying.
Theno testified that the harassment—which included being called 'faggot,' 'flamer,' and 'masturbator boy'—began in the seventh grade because he was small for his age and one of few boys taking Tae Kwon Do. Despite numerous pleas to principals, school board members, and the superintendent during a four-year period, officials did little to intervene on Theno's behalf. The taunting and name-calling continued until he left school in his junior year to complete his studies through a GED program.
'Dylan Theno's story is dangerously common. Boys who don't measure up to someone else's idea of a 'real man' are under the constant scrutiny and criticism of their peers,' said Riki Wilchins, executive director of GenderPAC. 'This ruling is a wake-up call to school districts and parents across the country. The old 'boys will be boys' attitude toward bullying and harassment is just not going to cut it anymore.'
For more information on GenderPAC visit www.gpac.org .