Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2000 16:54:05 -0800 From: Jean Richter Subject: 1/24/2000 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. CO: Skit with lesbian content causes controversy 2. NY: Feedback needed on nondiscrimination policy ======================================================== Daily Sentinel, January 14, 2000 P. O. Box 668, Grand Junction, CO, 81501 (Fax 970-241-6860 ) (E-MAIL: letters@gjds.com ) GJ Teacher Admits Skit on Lesbians oversight' By Ted Taylor, The Daily Sentinel A high school class skit about two married women entertaining the idea of a lesbian affair has a parent asking if the "moral decay" of society has entered the classroom. The Grand Junction High School teacher who allowed students to perform the skit in class in November has apologized, saying the presentation was an "oversight" on her part. [Deleted article. filemanager@qrd.org] -- Jeffrey Basinger, Grand Junction. ================================================================================ From: SARATOGANY@aol.com Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 06:38:12 EST Subject: Urgent Request of CSS-NYS List Members To: SARATOGANY@aol.com, bdm3g@gateway.net Message from: The Coalition for Safer Schools of NYS, PO Box 2345, Malta, NY 12020 Email to: saratogany@aol.com A large city in NYS is about (next week) to have a public hearing and vote on adding sexual orientation to their districts nondiscrimination policy statement. This has come about through the energetic efforts of one our CSS-NYS list affiliates/recipients. This person has requested feedback on the below question (as stated). "As we look ahead to possible objections (so far, not a peep, but the time still exists for trouble to occur), a classic one is the pedophile/recruiting accusation. I feel prepared on most of the other objections ("special rights," "promoting homosexuality," etc.) but I wonder if you have an articulate and pithy response to the pedophile/ recruiting one (?) If so, I can be a quick study and learn it! Thanks." With respect to the above request, I solicit your feedback comments to the question that you feel best articulates a response or articulation that is preemptive. Obviously this request is urgent and I look forward to your feedback/comments ASAP. Your identity will be kept anonymous unless otherwise specified. I will compile and send to the requester and to all list recipients. FYI, I have included below my expanded response to the requester. John Myers Director of Operations and Programs ======================================================== Dear (name withheld), Below is the Shen (HS only at this time) new Anti Harassment Policy. I believe it will/has become a part of their HS Code of Conduct. I inserted "real or perceived" because I feel this wording is very important, most students gay bashed are not gay. You mention the Shen flap and the Syracuse case. I am having trouble recalling the Syracuse case, can you remind me? As far as the pedophilia/recuitment issue. I am going to send out a message request (keeping silent on the school district your working with) to solicit feedback. One thing you should keep in mind is that child molestation is a crime regardless of sexual orientation and that most cases are heterosexual male on female (probably upwards of 95%). The perps are usually a family member or close friend of the family. I believe a pediatric (association) journal cover this but not sure where to locate. As far as recruitment, "we are who we are" and one's sexual orientation cannot be changed. The behavior can be changed and I reference left handedness orientation whereby one can learn to be right handed but their hand orientation is still remains left (in the closet so to speak). These changes are to satisfy societal elements who are ignorant to the mental and physical harm they bring and perpetuate, particularly upon the adolescent student. The Gov.'s Task Force "report" included a brief paragraph regarding civility and civility education in schools. Gov. Pataki made reference to that in his recent State of the State address. I am "assuming" these civility references include real or perceived sexual orientations and gender identities. The priority is to make school climates safe for all students. The first steps are to include real or perceived gender and sexual orientation in the districts nondiscrimination policy AND to include same in the districts anti harassment policy (within it's code of conduct). Title IX is now specific regarding "sexual harassment" of gay males and lesbians (re: March 97 Title IX Guidance). Most gay bashing can be considered sexual in nature, hence "sexual harassment" and a violation of Title IX. A landmark precedent case whereby the aggrieved gay student prevailed in Fayetteville, Arkansas (1998). These complaints are handled by the US Education Dept. - Office of Civil Rights. Another avenue of redress is the 14th Amendment of the Constitution (equal protection clause). This came about when the US Supreme Court shot down Colorado's Amendment #2. Basically saying that you cannot vote away the equal protection rights of gays. The Jamie Nabozny (student) case was won subsequent to this ruling and then shortly thereafter the new Title IX Guidance of 3/97 came about. The Shen HS anti harassment policy looks very good (especially when real or perceived is added), of course education regarding the policy with complaint procedures and strict enforcement with penalty is a must if the policy is to be effective. With a nondiscrimination policy and code of conduct that includes real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity, teachers who normally are afraid to stop antigay abuse in school (especially classrooms) will have the policies to hang their hat on. Therefore, removing the pressures from the teacher/staff in a personal sense, i.e., students and other staff will think I am gay or lesbian for stepping in and stopping the antigay abuse. This in my opinion is a real concern of many good teachers who would normally act. Antigay pejoratives are the pejorative of choice of students in today's schools. Ask any teacher, staff or student how often they hear "that's so gay", "that's gay", faggot, dyke, homo , etc., throughout a school day, whether it be in the halls, classrooms, locker rooms, cafeteria, sports/recreation areas, toilet areas and especially on SCHOOL BUSES. The big thing is breaking the silence on this issue. The district population, including students, should be aware of your efforts. Gay students, especially those in the closet need to know that adults are working on this issue and there is light at the end of the tunnel. The awareness factor could be a lifesaver for some. Hope the above has been helpful. I know you are aware of most of it. I will compile the feedback's regarding the pedophilia and recruitment issue that the opposition will likely raise at your school board public hearing and forward to you. John =========================================================== Shenendehowa Central High School ANTI HARASSMENT POLICY (real and perceived added and not included in the actual policy at Shen HS) It is the policy of Shenendehowa Central High School that harassment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. This is in keeping with efforts to establish an environment in which the dignity and worth of all members of the school community are respected. The goal of S. C. H. S. is to provide a community in which all students are accepted and judged as individuals. Harassment includes epithets, comments, gestures, and any other behaviors that demean, intimidate, threaten or offend another based on (real or perceived) gender, race, color, religion, cultural background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical condition or abilities. Behaviors that are prohibited under the harassment policy include, but are not limited to the following: 1.. graffiti 2.. vandalism 3.. hate talk 4.. stereotypic name calling, epithets, or slurs 5.. trash talk during athletics 6.. display of visual materials or the alteration of visual materials displayed by others 7.. jokes or humor 8.. comments, gestures, or look Any person committing any form of harassment will be subject to disciplinary action if: 1.. the gestures, comments, epithets or behaviors are commonly considered by members of the group demeaned to be disparaging to that group, and 2.. such conduct either A.. interferes with the comfort, safety, and work or study performance of the person(s) to whom the conduct is addressed or directed, or B.. makes the work, study, or social environment hostile or intimidating to members of average sensibilities of the group demeaned. Any instances which can be perceived as harassment should be reported immediately to a faculty member or an administrator. ================================================================================ Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) These messages are archived by state on our information-loaded free web site: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/