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curbside
New member
Username: curbside
Post Number: 8
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 24.63.160.101
| | Posted on Saturday, February 17, 2007 - 8:17 pm: | 
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Just another example of ignorance... Once again, no clue to the fact that there is a whole lot of life being lived outside of Rock Harbor, they are after all, "gawd's chosen".
From "Letters to the Editor", Cape Codder (Gatehouse Media, Inc.)Wednesday, February 7th
OFFENDED BY KISS
I have been a resident of Orleans for 23 years. And I have enjoyed The Cape Codderfor all of those years, making it the newspaper of choice for information about events on the Lower Cape.
However, in last week's edition, I was offended by the photo of Sarah Peake kissing her partner (“Peake on the Hill, Jan. 26). Being a psychotherapist for over 30 years, I am not homophobic. I have counseled numerous persons who have shared with me their sexual lifestyles as gays and lesbians. But I was affronted by the picture. Was that necessary when acceptance of gays and lesbians is still in process in our culture? Were you trying to make a statement?
My question is about your judgment? I appreciated the article and believe you did a service to the community for publishing it.
The Rev. William P. Showalter, Orleans
Talk about ironic, does he forget that he lives in, and was once sub-prior of a cult founded by two lesbians?!!!!!!!? Humorous to say the least... I thought the reply was great.
From "Letters to the Editor" Cape Codder (Gatehouse Media, Inc.) Thursday, February 15
IT WAS ABOUT LOVE
I was surprised to read a comment from a pastoral counselor so lacking in conscious sensitivity to his own homophobic aversion to same-sex “kissing” (“Offended by Kiss,” Letters, Feb. 6). Any psychotherapist by dint of training and regular peer supervision should know themselves well enough to recognize emotional reactivity when they sense it, and be honest enough about themselves to work on it when they find it. Rev. Showalter appears neither to see nor understand his own homophobia, which seriously erodes his usefulness as a therapist or counselor, and exposes his unconscious emotional reactivity to a “kiss” for exactly what it is.
Since Rev. Showalter didn’t indicate an aversion to kissing in general, which would suggest a far deeper problem of sexual repression, one can assume he was only describing an aversion to same-sex kissing. I think The Cape Codder should be congratulated for not sharing the reverend’s “problem,” and for resisting the arm-twisting his letter implied by keeping photos of same-sex kissing, and perhaps even hand-holding and hugging, by implication, off its pages in the future.
What I most like when offensive comments like these are made is an apology; something clerics are traditionally good at. I think an apology is owed here: to Sarah Peake, to The Cape Codder and to its subscribers. Racism, homophobia, mysogeny, misandry and all other forms of prejudice should be recognized, wherever and by whomever they occur and are made by. Love, in all its forms and by whoever expresses it, is always a joy to behold..
Jon Gilmore, South Orleans
Couldn't have said it any better... Unfortunately, as we all know, apologies are few and far between coming from our friends from the harbor... sad. |
papillon
New member
Username: papillon
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2007
Posted From: 70.62.111.2
| | Posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 11:41 am: |
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One other caveat, if you are considering Rev. Showalter as a psychologist or "counselor" ... he does not respect professional codes of confidentiality. Anything you say to him can and will be told to whomever he chooses. |
gayatgcc
New member
Username: gayatgcc
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2007
Posted From: 70.49.87.195
| | Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 1:44 am: |
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Being gay at GCC was an unbearable experience. The majority of the staff were aware of my sexuality and rather than talk to me rationally about it and inform me about it, they were hostile, prejudice, and cruel. I can recall being sat in the small chapel (of the stairs to the main high school floors) with a small group of my teachers, my “family” parents, and the Dean of Boys, and I was told about the disgust of my sins and the shame I would surely bring to myself, my family, and GCC. I was 16. I am now 30 and until recently forgot about the torment I underwent at the hands of these sick bastards. It’s so ••••••-up! I can remember being alone in the newly-built chapel late at night (after lights-out) and I was screaming at God for making me gay and I prayed that he would kill me and release me from this life of sin. I was forbidden readmittance from GCC in my final year when FF discovered I was gay (as a result of me dating his son). I was devastated. I can remember calling FF and begging to be let back in to GCC and he said that God nor him would tolerate such an abomination into the school. ••••••!
(Message edited by gayatgcc on July 15, 2007) |
b4theendingoftheday
New member
Username: b4theendingoftheday
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2007
Posted From: 216.234.60.106
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 - 12:36 pm: |
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I would like to address all the parents. Others would find this blog interesting as well.
Former Parents: Its no use saying I should of, would of or could of. It is the past. Just be supportive and finally and I mean finally listen to your kids gripe.
Current and Perspective Parents of the Good Shepard: Please check the provincial credentials of not only the school but of the teachers so you wont have the same regrets that I see my parents and siblings subjecting themselves to. I certainly would not sleep if I subjected my children to what I read here without investigating or knowing my options.
The administration and staff depended on the divide and conquer strategy especially among the bad kids, some bonded in their deviance and never folded. I was one of them. Kids stole parents prescription narcotics and used them in GCC. One kid used to show me his needle track marks and how he hid them under his toe nails.
I abused prescription narcotics there and once shared a needle. At the time I was amazed that the drug use wasn’t noticed. I once had a chat with JC over my grades fluctuating so I kept them low so I wont be found out. I was successful too. Thankfully I cleaned up my act.
I have no friends or souvenirs from GCC by choice, as I would not want to face discrimination by former peers. I contracted HIV there from sharing that one needle, so I have paid the price with my life.
I voice this with reservation but hope I can finally deal with it. All of your feedback is welcome and appreciated. |
hightide
New member
Username: hightide
Post Number: 10
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 199.231.28.56
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2007 - 2:17 pm: |
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thanks. I thought that was a very odd time. |
sardelude
New member
Username: sardelude
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2007
Posted From: 24.62.182.37
| | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 8:43 pm: |
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Hey, all.
This site has such powerful & amazing healing potential for those of us connected to CofJ/GCC. As I peruse the postings, I recognize (or think I do anyway), several of you. If I knew you at GCC, I felt such shame in being "whisked away" as one of the CofJ kids that I felt no one would want to hear from me...obviously this is far from the truth, but it was certainly my perception & feeling. For those from the CofJ, again, leaving certainly is not easy &, as we were all taught, those who leave are not following God's will. ha, ha.
Anyway, I would enjoy hearing from some of you..not to vent or spew, but just to reconnect with some old, dear friends. Feel free to respond here or to e-mail me at muncey1@comcast.net
freegirl ~ I remember you well, your bouncy step & big smile..I hope life has treated you kindly
westcedar ~ I knew both you & your mother and would love to hear from you, too (although if your babies have arrived you are probably rather busy)
I am almost certain who a number of others are, but would not want to make any assumptions. My user name is no great mystery, so if you want to reconnect, please drop me a line.
Isn't part of healing forging new ties or repairing broken ones? I think so! |
timmergolf
New member
Username: timmergolf
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 216.185.93.133
| | Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 3:47 pm: |
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Hi everyone my name is Tim Blacklock. I attended GCC 1976-77. It was the worst year of my life and I almost get sick to my stomach everytime I pass the turnoff on the 401 highway that leads to the school. I was paddled so severly so severly by FF for smelling like cigarette smoke that I couldn't sit nor walk properly for a month. I still have such a strong memory of the beating..... I can not understand how another human could beat a child like that and sleep at night. My parents through reading the stories in this forum are finally realizing their sever lack of judgement for sending me to this school. For 31 years I have never felt right about what FF did to me nor have I felt right about some of the other degradeing things I saw him do to other students. Thank you to everyone for shareing your stories and also thank you to the staff that have also come forward to clear their souls. Thank you to the Bishop for looking into the accusations... and my hat is off to the police and lawyers working hard to get to the truth. When one student has something to say negative about a Reverand or anyone in a position of authority their voice is so hard to hear... however when hundreds and maybe thousands all say they felt the abuse. It was real. Thanks to all involved. I am starting for the first time to feel that I may someday be able to put FF in the past and make sure my kids never have to live through the same things. sincerly Tim |
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