SOUTH LYON — A Detroit-area middle school has suspended a teacher for playing a song about being gay during class. The song, “Same Love”, was played during Susuan Johnson’s eigth-grade performing arts class at the request of a student. The song’s lyrics discuss the harassment faced by gay youth growing up on a daily basis. Johnson was suspending for three days, with pay being withheld for two of those days.
Equality Michigan, the state’s only statewide anti-violence and advocacy organization specifically serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, provides services to victims of anti-gay or transgender harassment, violence, and discrimination. The organization is currently investigating this matter further.
Statement by Emily Dievendorf
Director of Policy, Equality Michigan
“While we are still investigating this incident, it appears that the South Lyon Community School District is taking a stance against diversity and love. Suspending a teacher for playing a song with lyrics like “love is kind” and “if I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me” says more about the school district’s intolerance towards same-sex love than the teacher’s judgment of her student’s music tastes. I cannot help but wonder if they would have suspended her for playing a song which speaks positively of opposite-sex love or provides observations on the oppression faced by certain religions. Equality Michigan is eager and ready to help fight this behavior by South Lyon schools and make sure Susan Johnson is able to teach diversity and love over intolerance and hate.”
Equality Michigan has worked passionately for over 20 years to achieve full equality and respect for all people in Michigan regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. For more information, visit www.equalitymi.org.