Although it’s been a while since I’ve stepped foot in a high school, I still remember one particular three-word phrase littered throughout hallways and social circles: “That’s so gay.”

While my high school in Southern Illinois was a far cry from the more progressive secondary schools in Chicago, I still can’t help but realize how far behind administrators all over the country are when it comes to educating students on becoming more accepting young adults. And much to my surprise, the Chicago Public School system has fallen under that category.

When plans to build the city’s first gay-friendly high school-Chicago Social Justice: Pride Campus-were first introduced in early October, Arne Duncan, CEO of CPS, and other public officials made the case that gay and lesbian students are far more likely to skip class or drop out at alarming rates due to excessive amounts of bullying and harassment from their peers at a secular high school. By creating a learning environment conducive to the safety of the LGBTQ students, Duncan and other CPS officials felt that this would curb the rate of high drop-outs among gay students.

Now that plans to build the school, with the name changed to Social Justice Solidarity Campus, have been shelved until 2010, many LGBTQ advocates have expressed anger in the city’s postponement since its two largest counterparts, New York and Los Angeles, already have comprehensive high schools to support the needs of gay and lesbian teens.

While Duncan’s concern for gay students is commendable, segregating these individuals from the rest of their student body is only sending one message: Don’t bother to take the time to demand decent behavior from other students.

True, some teens who are open about their sexual identity at a young age often pay violent consequences. But one thing is certain-hate breeds hate, and singling out LGBTQ students would only increase the open hatred toward them. While there’s no doubt that something has to be done to put an end to violence and bullying of gay and lesbian teens, hiding these students away in their own schools is not the answer.

Just as schools strive to set high standards for academic achievement, the same should be done when it comes to setting the bar for model behavior. For students who have prejudices against gay and lesbian individuals, how is it possible for these students to ever learn from their peers if they are placed in a separate environment?

It’s common knowledge that bullying has a negative impact on learning. Removing gay students from a potentially hostile environment may provide safety, but it is ignoring a larger issue. If the goal of CPS is to create a culture of tolerance, that starts by turning the focus to kids who need the real attention-those who bully.

All schools have a responsibility to provide students with a safe learning environment, regardless of a student’s sexual orientation-it has a legal and moral obligation to do so. But by establishing “gay-friendly” high schools, it is suggesting that other schools are not required to provide hospitable social and emotional conditions for LGBTQ students.

Chicago, the time has come. Instead of segregation, use your resources to eliminate prejudice and promote acceptance of gay students in all schools. This means when homophobic slurs are uttered, no more token wrist slaps.

In a city that is already notorious for its segregation problems, it is due time to implement an education system that teaches principles of diversity and difference, one that actively reprimands bigotry and bullying. Regardless of who we are or where we come from, we all have to exist in a cohesive society. Tolerance needs to be created in every environment-not just one.