The word gay, boys and girls, has two meanings
September 6th 2010 05:56
VYOOS EDITORIAL
Garry Martin, principal of Lepage Primary School in Melbourne, Australia, said he didn't mean to insult gays when he told his students to change the words of an iconic song.
The final line of the chorus of "Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree" is "Gay your life must be".
It's been a gay life since the song was written in 1935, but now Garry Martin has demanded his students change "gay your life must be" to "fun your life must be", and both the kookaburra and Vyoos are confused.
Martin's reasoning, as told to a Melbourne radio station, is as follows: "I knew if we sing 'Gay your life must be' the kids will roll around the floor in fits of laughter.
"When the song was written, gay meant you are happy. Nowadays we know it's got all sorts of different meanings," he said.
Well, no, Mr Principal, nowadays, it has two meanings. And as long as there are adults who flinch, cringe and obfuscate at the mention of one of them, kids will snigger.
Children learn what is normal and acceptable by firm and convincing example.
In retrospect, Garry Martin said, he had probably been "hypersensitive", but said the word gay was commonly used as a playground insult and he was keen to minimise disruption in the classroom.
Yes, Mr Martin, you have an issue that needs to be dealt with. Sweeping it under the carpet is not the answer.
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Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
We're labelling him GM.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Are you taking the piss?