Date: Sun, 29 Oct 1995 10:33:45 -0800 From: jessea@uclink2.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: Alameda Co. (CA) Bd. of Education Passes Pro-LGBT Resolution The following resolution serves as a MODEL of what can be accomplished by systematic POLICY advocacy. It was adopted as part of the Alameda County Board of Education's Consent Agenda without dissent: Alameda County Board of Education and Alameda County Superintendent of Schools 313 West Winton Avenue - Hayward, CA 94544 Joint Resolution No. 1381 WHEREAS, addressing the safety needs of all students and staff in Alameda County's schools is a professional duty and obligation of school districts, and WHEREAS, understanding the unique differences of the county's diverse student and staff population is crucial if that diverse population is to have its educational, emotional and social needs met, and WHEREAS, a key element in a sound educational program is providing youth in our schools with an understanding and appreciation of the differences of others, and WHEREAS, the schools in Alameda County should assure that the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students whom they serve ,and the students who come from homes with gay or lesbian parents, are dealt with in a forthright and sensitive manner, and WHEREAS, there are reports of a continuing pattern of harassment and physical abuse directed at this segment of the school population, and WHEREAS, this group of students makes up a disproportionate percentage of teenage suicides and school dropouts in the county, and WHEREAS, this group of students frequently lacks role models: NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED that the Alameda County Board of Education and the Alameda County Superintendent of Schools do encourage local school boards to implement staff development programs for all school employees that address the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and staff, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that local school boards be urged to address the issue of school safety for this at-risk student population, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that local school boards be encouraged to develop and implement curricula which address the issues of this under-served student population, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that local school boards be urged to adopt personnel policies that ensure employment protection for staff members whose sexual orientation is gay, lesbian or bisexual. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of October 1995 Ayes: All Members Present Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: (Unsure how many) ____________________________ Keith Medeiros, President Alameda County Board of Education _____________________________ August Scornaienchi Alameda County Supt. of Schools p.s. those having questions about the history behind this resolution's passage are invited to contact (Grant F. Peterson 2201 Oak Creek Lane, Hayward, CA 94541-5537; Phone: 510-886-4263 FAX: 510-582-6471) *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ YOU MAY RE-POST. Jessea Greenman The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project*; ph/fax: 510-601-8883, 586 62nd St. Oakland, CA 94609-1245 Gopher to "gopher.outright.com" Action Alerts and Organizing Manual: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ http://www1.usa1.com/~furball/glb/person.html/ (Children's Animated Television) Organizing Manual: http://www.pride.net/pridenet/person The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project is *always* looking for volunteer organizers. Please cc us (for our files) on correspondence you send or receive re our action alerts. *P.E.R.S.O.N. stands for Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally.