Raven: When are we going to see the others?

Me: We'll take a vote

Atrus: What I miss?

Me: The wedding.

Three weeks after the wedding it was time for the anxiously awaited trial. Frank from the ACLU who was helping Joanne with the case, had suggested that the entire boho family come too along with Kyle since some of the other kids had some testimonies that could help the case. It didn't help that today was the day of the prom, meaning that the kids didn't have much time to get their clothes, makeup, hair etc ready. News about the trial spread all over the press, causing every news anchor, CNN show, newspaper, and every talk show personality were at the courthouse waiting for them to show up.

When they arrived, the press was in frenzy. Every reporter was there waving cameras and microphones in their faces, and they were also greeted by their old nemesis Father O'Reily and his church group waving signs saying "Stop the Insanity" "God hates fags" "Jesus Cares" and "Think of the Children". When they got into the courtroom, Joanne told Kyle to sit with the others in the back.

"Just remember what we went over and try to stay calm, no matter what they throw at you," she said. "Even if they throw our how we live our lives at you, don't get mad"

They all agreed as she sat down at the plaintiff side with Frank and the rest of the legal team from the ACLU. Just then the superintendent and Dr. Manning entered with their lawyers and sat at the defendant table on the other side. Everyone stood as the judge entered from her chambers.

"Court is now in session, Case 23: ACLU vs. New York City Municipal Schools, the Honorable Judge Roslyn Edwards presiding."

Judge Edwards spoke "Okay Mr. Samuels are you ready to call your first witness?"

Frank responded, "Yes your honor I'd like to call Kyle Johnson-Jefferson to the stand"

Kyle got up, swore to tell the whole truth and sat down.

"Now Kyle…can I call you Kyle?"

"Yes"

"Now Kyle why are we here?"

"My school failed to defend my right to run for freshman class president."

"How so?"

"I was being harassed by my opponent"

"What did he do exactly?"

"He destroyed my campaign flyers and talked trash about my family and I"

"What exactly did he say?"

"He called me a queer-lover, said if I were president the class would be screwed in the…well you know, and insulted me about my two moms and my bisexual friends."

"What did you do when he did this?"

"I went to the principal, Dr. Manning and he said that I should drop out of the race because the other students wouldn't be comfortable with me as their president considering my family situation"

"And what IS your family situation like?"

"I have two moms, a bisexual friend, a gay friend, and two friends whose dad's are a couple living with me."

Frank sighed, "No further questions your honor" he said as he sat back down.

The opposing counselor approached the stand.

"Kyle is it true that you stayed in the race?"

"Yes"

"Why?"

"I didn't think I should have to drop out because of what people thought."

"So why did you get upset?"

"I felt that this was unfair that I had to forfeit my chance at becoming president because some people are ignorant"

"Now if Dr Manning has advised you of the outcome why are we here?"

"Because if he had anyone else come to him with my problem and they didn't live my bohemian life he'd be jumping down Adam Duvall's throat!"

"So you claim that Dr. Manning discriminated against you because of your background?"

"Yes"

"One more question…are you gay?"

Frank stood up "OBJECTION! Your Honor this is irrelevant to the case."

"Actually, I'd like to answer that" Kyle said firmly

Everyone was surprised but listened to what he said next.

"No I'm not gay. But if I was, would that be a bad thing? The only reason why we're here today is because of the school's intolerance of difference and change. If I were elected class president I would strive to change the class of '09 for the better and maybe work towards tolerance in schools. But thanks to intolerance I 'm being barred from that opportunity."

"No further questions for this witness your honor" Frank said. Kyle got down from the stand.

"Mr. Samuels please call your next witness"

"I'd like to call Jason Collins to the stand"

Jason got sworn in and sat down

"So Jason how are you related to the case?"

"I attend the same school as Kyle and I'm also bisexual"

"Have you witnessed the same intolerance that Kyle has spoken about?"

"Yes"

"How so?"

"I've been assaulted and had my things vandalized."

"What has exactly happened to you so far?"

"I've had my locker broken into, been beaten up and nearly raped with a broom handle"

"Now what was done about this?"

"Well when I told Dr. Manning, he said he would look into it. I found out later that they just got a Saturday detention and suspension from a football game."

"Has anything else happened?"

"Well my classmates know that I'm HIV positive and they use that against me too"

"Anything else?"

"My boyfriend, Angelo Reyes was assaulted on a daily basis to the point where he couldn't go to school for three weeks and we've both been harassed for being together as well by other students and even teachers."

"Thank you, no further questions"

The opposing counsel stood up, "Your honor I'd like to call Dr. Paul Manning to the stand"

Dr Manning was sworn in and sat down

"Now Dr. Manning did you told Kyle to definitely withdraw from the race?"

"No, I simply said that I would advise him to if he wanted the teasing to stop"

"So you didn't exactly bar him from the election?

"No"

"Did you ever punish Jason's tormentors?"

"Yes, I gave them the standard punishment for assault on another student"

"So you did your job correct?"

"Yes"

"No further questions"

Frank approached the bench

"Dr Manning are you aware of the school's code against hate speech?"

"Yes"

"Will you please state it for the court?"

"It outlines a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech"

"Why didn't you enforce this policy with Adam Duvall and the football players?"

"The school's hate speech policy only refers to racial, religious, or nationality slurs. It said nothing on sexuality."

"But aren't homophobic remarks hateful?"

"Well yes but…"

"Are you implying that you condone homophobia?"

The opposing counsel jumped up, "Objection, relavence"

"Overruled, Mr. Samuels please continue"

"Are you saying that you do not tolerate racial or ethnic insults but have no problem with homophobia?"

"This is absurd!"

"Answer the question Dr. Manning. Are you a homophobe?"

At this point Dr. Manning lost all control and yelled into the mic

"FINE! I can't take this anymore! This case has turned into some right wing hippie cause. So what if I didn't jump at the first time someone yelled faggot? Why does this so-called "family" think that they should be given special attention because they're a bunch of old failures with delinquent children?"

"Mr. Samuels control your witness"

Dr. Manning went on, "If these so-called "parents" would live up to their duties of raising their children right we wouldn't have this problem! Just look at them all, one's a ex-junkie Kurt Cobain wanna-be, another's a one hit wonder filmmaker, one of the alleged "mothers" is a radical protest "performer" while the other's a legal aid attorney who should be the most civilized of them all but instead acts as out of control as the rest of them! At every parent meeting, they've caused a scene because their "Little junior future juvie case" got hurt or someone didn't like them! Everyone wonders why their kids have so many issues but lets look at the big picture here. None of them have a nuclear family unit! One of them just lives there because his parents had the sense to kick him out, another had some radical anarchist for a father, another is destined to have the same fate as her junkie wannabe rockstar of a father and the only one who may have had a chance is going down the same road as she is!"

"Dr. Manning one more word and I'll hold you in contempt!"

"These "people" are incorrigible! I sent in the priest of my parish, Father Dave O'Reily, to try and talk some sense into them and I find out they not only rebelled but chased him out by singing and dancing around singing about illicit and ill-mannered behaviors! If anything they should be shipped away and kept from the good, law abiding, God-fearing students!"

The courtroom was silent for a minute.

"The defense rests" Frank said calmly

The judge looked at her papers for a minute before speaking, "I feel that we have all the information I will need to form my verdict. The verdict will be delivered later today, until then court is adjourned" and struck her gavel to finalize it.

"All rise, parties may leave the courtroom" the bailff announced as everyone filed out the doors.

"Can you believe that prick?"

"Who does he think he is?"

"We've got to win now!"

"Guys it's over now, the only thing left to do is wait and hope for the best." Joanne answered. "Besides it's already 2:30 leaving you with only six and a half hours to get ready for tonight."

But would this really be a night for the boheme teens to celebrate?

Me: Okay that's a wrap!

Raven: Now what?

Me: Tune in next time

Raven: R&R! uhhh we have OBC recordings and Anthony's book!