Harassment is Harassment, gay or straight

This is a change. A student who was harassed constantly from 1993 to 1998 because he was perceived to be gay, has lost his case against the school, because he is straight.

His sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with this. The reason for the harassment is irrelevant. The fact that the school did not stop it is totally relevant, and having the principal claim that they didn't have the resources to stop it completely is a cop out. You do what it takes to stop it. Because of this, Mr. Jubran's education and future have been compromised. I think that deserves a bit of consideration, and a hell of a lot more than $4,000 (which was overturned in the ruling).

(Vancouver, British Columbia) A former North Vancouver student who claims he was bullied for five years is appealing a court ruling that said because he is straight he wasn't protected under the law.

Azmi Jubran, had told the Human Rights Commission tribunal that even though he is not gay he was routinely called "faggot," "homo" and "gay" while attending Handsworth Secondary from 1993 to 1998. He had a variety of objects thrown at him and was kicked and spat upon. Students threatened to drop him in acid and to rape him with a broom. During a school camping trip his tent was urinated on.

Principal Terry Shaw testified he had never seen a student harassed as badly as Jubran was, but with almost 13,000 students and only 70 teachers, he didn't have the resources to stop it completely.

The tribunal condemned the attacks and awarded Jubran $4,000 in damages. But, the school board appealed and a judge overturned the commission decision saying that the bullying wasn't homophobic because Jubran is straight. (source)