CJTS CONFIDENTIAL : TREATMENT OF GAY EMPLOYEES LEAVES ME WONDERING

I want to first be excused for using the word gay in describing people of different sexual orientations / practice. It is actually preferable these days to say Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender [ LGBT ] when discussing subjects such as this. Now to the matter at hand. Connecticut Juvenile Training School is a study in contradiction(s) when it comes to LGBT employees. I offer case one for consideration to readers of this blog. A few years ago a Latina female was harassed without mercy from a youthful resident because of her sexual orientation & practice. She went to management about those hurtful things being said; but the torment continued and no solace from supervisors. The youth bullied a female and administrators did not respond adequately in ending the hate filled rants. Now for case number two in which a black gay female claimed management singled her out for disciplinary actions based on sexual preferences. Of course in case #2 management claimed policy or procedure issues caused them to discipline a black gay woman.

Treatment of LGBT employees leaves me wondering: most of the energy of CJTS management is directed toward making sure youthful offenders at their facility are coddled beyond belief. When it comes to spreading the love to LGBT employees-- CJTS management start singing that Motown song by the Supremes " baby, baby, where did our love go?" Yes there is a paucity of concern for employees who profess openly different sexual orientations. It will be said that these words of mine are nothing more than half baked truths or to quote Shakespeare "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing." Yet stories circulating on the CJTS plantation seem clear there is a problem: perhaps this issue has to do with a disdain for Youth Service Officers which permeates CJTS. YSO's are low on the class pecking order at CJTS but the first ones called to stop fights, look for shanks ( home made weapons), or get hurt in the line of duty. Oh, and by the way a few of these YSOs are LGBT.