Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 16:45:42 -0700
From: Jean Richter <richter@eecs.berkeley.edu>
Subject: 9/17/99 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news, pt. 2

1. PFLAG statement on making schools safer for LGBT students

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From: Eric Ferrero <eferrero@PFLAG.org>
Subject: PFLAG News for Person Project List
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 09:55:07 -0400

For Immediate Release:  August 31, 1999 	
Contact: Eric Ferrero, 202-638-4200 x212

As Students Return to School, Families Nationwide Vow:
'Schools Will Not Be Safe Until They Are Free of Homophobia' 

	"This fall, a growing number of school districts have adopted zero
tolerance of hate speech and harassment.  It's time for parents to adopt
zero tolerance of school districts which don't."   That's the advice of Rev.
Paul Beeman, national president of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays (PFLAG), and Judy Shepard, mother of a murdered young gay man.

	Citing studies which consistently show that hostile educational
environments cause gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students to skip
classes, drop out of school or commit suicide more than their peers, one of
the nation's largest grassroots-based family groups today called for change.
Schools must be held responsible for "the scourge of fear and homophobia
that hurts families and entire communities," Beeman said. 

	PFLAG is redoubling its efforts, through its 425 chapters in
communities nationwide, to ensure that sexual minority youth are safe,
respected and able to learn in environments free of harassment.   As a new
school year begins - and the nation continues an unprecedented dialogue
about school safety in the wake of recent massacres in Colorado, Georgia and
elsewhere - PFLAG is urging schools to address the underlying ignorance and
prejudice that give rise to violence.  

	"Too many of our schools, which ought to foster acceptance and
reinforce the fair-minded values we teach our children, instead have become
breeding grounds for homophobia and hate," Beeman said.  "Enough is enough.
These are our children, in our schools, in our communities - and we will not
stand idly by while they face intimidation and abuse.  Every school in
America must protect all its students.  Every parent should demand it, the
U.S. Dept. of Education requires it, and PFLAG stands ready, willing and
able to help any school do it."

	PFLAG families were among the first in the nation to call for - and
work for - safer schools.  Since then, thousands of schools nationwide have
provided training, passed nondiscrimination policies, enforced
"zero-tolerance" policies against harassment and abuse and integrated
objective facts about sexual orientation into appropriate curricula.  "We
were there in the beginning, and we'll be there until harassment ends and
acceptance is universal," Beeman said.  "Our efforts are making a profound
difference.  The challenge now, for all fair-minded Americans, is to help
every school stop hatred."

	Today, PFLAG released a powerful new tool in that effort: "An Open
Letter to School Administrators" from Judy Shepard, whose son was murdered
because he was gay.  In her moving letter, Shepard tells schools, "My son
was killed because somehow, somewhere, his killers learned that the lives of
gay people are not as worthy of the same respect, dignity and honor as the
lives of other people.  I ask you to ensure that students in your school
never learn that dangerous lesson."

PFLAG's web site - www. pflag. org - offers expansive resources,
statistics and opportunities for dialogue on creating safe schools.
Families nationwide are available for interviews (call 202-638-4200 x212). 

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the
health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons,
their families & friends through support, education, and advocacy. Serving
nearly 77,000 members & supporters, PFLAG affiliates are located in 425+
communities in the U.S. 

================================================================================

Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu
The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally)
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