Gay Teen’s Family Blames School For His Murder

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by Lamar Tyler | on August 15th, 2008 | 4 comments

We often discuss school and parenting and who’s at fault for this and that but today I ran across a story that I think is a stretch for the parents to pin this on the school.

Back in Feb. an eighth grade boy was shot and killed in his California classroom by a fellow student. The family is blaming the local school district because even though there is a dress code they allowed him to wear feminine clothing and makeup.

The family thinks these things directly led to his death and is blaming the school district for not enforcing the dress code.

The family’s claim, filed last week in Ventura County Superior Court, said administrators and teachers failed to enforce the school’s dress code when King wore feminine clothing and makeup to school.

BMWK what do you think about this, are the teachers and school system to blame or is this just another case of people looking to turn a tragedy into a paycheck?

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (4)

T. Rogers Friday - 15 / 08 / 2008 Reply

I think this is a bit over the top. I live in Southern California. I am very familiar with the incident because it was all over the local news out here. It is a very tragic story. From what was reported the killer (another student) shot the boy because he felt the boy was coming on to him. There is no "right" way to resolve the situation. One child is dead and the other will never see the light of day again. Tragic indeed. With that said, the situation here in California is very confusing. The parents say the school should not have allowed him to dress that way. However, if the schools attempted to suppress his style of dress they would have opened themselves up to a lawsuit. In California grade school students have the right to tell their teachers which gender they choose. So if a third grade boy tells his teacher he wants to be referred to as a girl the teacher, by law, must comply. If not, that teacher opens him or herself up to a lawsuit. Factor in the political climate and no public school in California wants to transgress anything related to sexual orientation or gender identity. It is a very difficult situation to navigate. Sadly, two parents lost their child for no reason at all. In the end it was not the school, but one young man’s inability to properly handle unwanted attention (if the reasoning behind the shooting is to be believed). The moment any school district in California enforces a dress code that even appears to hamper a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity it will be challenged in court. That is jus the nature of politics in California.
TheMom Friday - 15 / 08 / 2008 Reply

I agree with T.Rogers. If the school did not allow the boy to dress that way, then they could have faced a lawsuit for that. I don't think it is the school's fault. It is an unfortunate situation and that other child is going to have to face the consequences of his actions.
Kit (Keep It Trill) Friday - 15 / 08 / 2008 Reply

TRogers has made an excellent point, but I think the parents have a good case, at least for a settlement. And no, I don't think they just trying to get paid. If nothing else, I hope the school board pushes for tolerance at the middle school level in their sex education classes. Kit (Keep It Trill)s last blog post..The Latest Spin & Why: Obama Is The Anti-Christ
Kelly Tuesday - 14 / 10 / 2008 Reply

How about this, guys are guys and girls are girls. God made us that way. And heaven forbid the parents take responsibility. It HAS to be the school's fault. No parent should be responsible for their child right?