From kevyn@KSUVM.KSU.EDUSat Jul 8 16:59:20 1995 Date: Sat, 8 Jul 1995 16:52:30 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: (WICHITA) NT: PFLAG prepares for public hearings on youth concerns FROM THE NEWS-TELEGRAPH JUNE 23-JULY 13, 1995 ======================= Parents Group Seeks Information: PFLAG PREPARES FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON YOUTH CONCERNS by Lisa Marie Neff WICHITA KS-In an effort to make schools safer for Lesbian and Gay students, the local chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is collecting testimony from youths and adults who experienced problems in public schools. Sally Morse, of PFLAG, said the testimony is vital to the information the organization hopes to present at a public hearing slated for October 27 and in reports to be distributed at youth and educators conferences scheduled for October 28 and 29. At the hearing--A Matter Of Justice And Compassion--people will read the testimony and present a task force with research findings and recommendations to make schools safer for Lesbian an Gay students and educators, Morse said. The PFLAG work is a continuation of the work the chapter has been doing since its creation over a year ago. The Wichita group's first project was the production of a video about being Gay and living in Wichita. The video, Morse said, was shown to a number of groups. "Then we said, 'what is the next step?' We knew that a number of youths were not finishing school. We wanted to do something for youth." The next step was to hold an educators' conference on Lesbian and Gay concerns that attracted more than 200 people from around the state. The plans for October are an extension of PFLAG's effort to help Lesbian and Gay youth, Morse said. Morse said writers documenting their experiences should make reference to specific situations and name the schools and communities if possible. She also suggested that written testimony contain information about the emotions connected with school memories. Letters may be sent to PFLAG, PO Box 686, Wichita KS 67201-0686. They must be postmarked on or before June 30. Requesting the testimony, Morse said, "Please help us to make a difference for the youth of Kansas. We can't do that without your help....Remember, if we save one youth from suicide, dropping out of school or reuniting with their family, our time is well spent." ========================================================== Permission granted by the News-Telegraph for distribution to the KQN email list (KQN@casti.com), and archiving in the Queer Resources Directory (QRD) on the Internet (http://www.qrd.org/qrd). For News-Telegraph subscription information (published twice a month), please call 1.816.561.6266, or email: newstele@aol.com ==========================================================