Glitter and be gay.

I got a new job recently. I went from teaching at an alternative high school to a traditional campus. So far I have been there for a month and I love it. It is very refreshing to have students who have more going on in their lives than pot.

One of my students in my first period class is cute as a button. He's a freshman and he has an adorable baby face that is fond of wearing Glee t-shirts and scarves. He also apparently makes several trips to the powder room during the day, because by the time I see him in the halls at the end of the day, he has added enough glitter to his face to choke a drag queen.

The first time I saw him all glitzy, I was sure it was just a trick of the light. But upon further inspection, no.....that was definitely glitter eyeshadow. The next day, I stopped by his locker to say hi, and when he looked up, he had green glitter lipstick on. We are talking full-on Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. And Hallways.

One of my less exciting duties at my new job is coaching. As I was walking back from the gym one day, I passed the PE coach's office. There was a snickering crowd of boys around and that is never a good sign. There was a distinct yelling sound and, ever the eavesdropper, I paused in my journey back to civilization to listen.

"What are you.....get out of here looking like that! Get! What is that on your face, get out!"

Sure enough, my little Glitter Boy exited the office with glitter on his eyelids and jewels on his lips. How he got jewels to stick to his lips, I still don't know, but that is not the point.

He had gone into the office because he lost his gym locker combination. I told him that he looked fine and that he could come to my room if anyone ever talked to him like that, even an adult, because that is not okay.

I can't believe an adult, one who is dedicated to educating children, had that audacity to speak to a student like that. He is a freshman in high school. That boy is fourteen and you're belittling him? And in front of other students? I don't kick out athletes when they're wearing football jerseys, so how dare you target him?

The day after Don't Ask Don't Tell was repealed, making it possible for gay men and women to serve openly in our military, a 14 year old committed suicide after being bullied at school. He had even participated in a "It Gets Better" video, but in the end, the bullying was overwhelming.

So shine on, my little Glitter Boys. We'll be here for you. My door is always open. Unless I'm coaching, in which case the gym door will be open and I'll be the one trying to avoid sweating.