Date: Sat, 2 Nov 1996 07:46:16 -0800 (PST) From: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: GLSTN has Back to School Posters || MA DOE HIV prevention program call for input || Action Alert (UT) || CALL for MORE INFO re Utah || Book on school censorship: "Alice Walker Banned" || two high school groups in NC, 12 in CT GLSTN has Back to School Posters. They depict a gay boy or lesbian with the words Faggot or Dyke obscuring the person's face. A quote from each person is featured, which explain's how hard it is to be a gay or lesbian student in America's schools. The tag line: Because Bigotry in Our Schools is Wrong To request a free copy, send an email to GLSTNDGray@aol.com and request either the Dyke or Faggot Back to School Poster and provide your name and mailing address. Thank you and good luck! John Spear GLSTN ---------- ---------- From: Margot_E_Abels@doe.mass.edu (Margot E Abels) Subject: Re: request Jessea: First of all, thanks for all the critical information you post. I was wondering if you could add some information on a project we're planning. The Massachusetts Department of Education's HIV Program is designing a project to do HIV prevention education work (focusing on young msm's) [males sexual with males] through the school-based Gay/Straight Alliances. We are looking to connect with people who have either done some good HIV prevention work and sexuality education with GLBT youth in school settings (in GSA's or not). Also, we are looking for curricula and other materials that focus on young msm's. If people know resources and materials that focus on young lesbians and/or bisexual girls and HIV or sexuality education, that would also be welcome information. My phone is (617)388-3300, x376 and email is mabels@doe.mass.edu. Thanks so much. -Margot Abels ---------- ---------- From: KathyWUT@aol.com Subject: Gay Clubs Issue in Utah The Utah State School Board is considering a proposal to direct all school districts in the state to not allow school clubs or groups for gays and lesbians. The Board will be holding public hearings to allow public input (that's not saying the "public input" will have any impact on their decision) on the issue before they make their final decison. The Board is acting on the issue because they don't want local school districts to make local decisions as that would make local districts responsible for costs involved in expensive lawsuits. The decision to address the issue now is probably because groups in several schools are seeking official status for their "Gay, Lesbian and Straight Alliances". The most recent group to apply for such status is a group at Cottonwood High school in the Granite School District. >From Kathy: Four seats on the state school board are up for grabs in Tuesday's election: Districts 8, 11, 12 and 14. (Check your voter registration card) Question: "What is your position on school board policy regarding access to schools for non-curricular clubs?" Responses: District 8 JILL G. KENNEDY (phone: 583-2425) 1385 Yale Ave SLC UT 84105: "It is my understanding that the State Board of Education did not make the decision regarding access to schools for non-curricular clubs - that decision was made by the Legislature. The policy needs to be changed by the Legislature if the people of Utah so desire." DARYL CAMERON BARRETT (582-1898) 1820 Laird Ave SLC UT 84108: "Young people need constructive extracurricular activities in their lives to balance and enhance classroom learning, allowing youth to grow intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Without them, our most vulnerable youth will have severely limited opportunities to use their time postively. Clubs are healthy outlets that can prevent truancy, delinquency and drug/alcohol abuse. I believe that the Gay Straight Alliance with school personnel oversight and support falls under this description." District 11 C. GRANT HURST (942-4832) 1893 E Terrace Drive, Sandy, 84093: "The use of public school buildings is basically a local school board issue. However, having said that, I believe that clubs or organizations with the potential to influence children, even high school age youth, who may not realize the dangers of affiliation with organizations that might endanger their image or social acceptance, need to be carefully reviewed by school boards. I stand by the concerns and issues raised in the Resolution passed by the State Board of Education." JERALD A. SUMSION (572-9278) 16 Rollingwood Lane, Sandy, 84092: "Non-curricular clubs are very important in helping students gain social skills, friends with similar interests, and skills in areas of interest which may lead them to the correct profession/vocation. Teachers must oversee club meetings/activities. These activities are all part of gaining an education." District 12 D. KENT MICHIE (485-2222) 2255 Oneida Street, SLC 84109: "Under the Equal Access Act the federal government has unfortunately inserted itself into decisions that are properly left to the wisdom and discretion of local school boards. I am in favor of our congressional delegation doing everything they can to restore local control of educational decison making. In addition, Utah's already existing Schools as Community Centers Act needs to be implemented." BOYD F JENSEN (262-0270) 5380 Hillside Drive, Murray UT 84107: "Non-curricular clubs must relate to the core curriculum. If not, the taxpayer can't afford it." District 14 SUSAN C. HENSHAW (224-4311) 44 W 1640 North Orem 84057: "The State School Board should set the standard of high moral values and the local boards should uphold those standards as they manage each local school. Non-curricular clubs should reflect these standards and not cause disruption within the eduation community." MARION O SNOW (486-7121) 1247 E 430 North Orem UT 84057: "This decision should be up to local school boards." Questions? Comments? Call or write to the candidates. If you have questions about this report, feel free to write to me. Kathy KathyWUT@aol.com ---------- ---------- speaking of Utah, we have a CALL for MORE INFO re Utah: we read recently that "A few years ago, when the (Utah) Textbook Commission voted to allow teaching the acceptance of homosexuality, of course the parents came out of the woodwork and ten thousand parents signed a petition and wrote letters to the governor, and many teachers also signed the petition." ANYONE GOT MORE INFO ON THIS INCIDENT WHICH THEY CAN SEND US, EITHER ONLINE OR HARD COPY? ---------- ---------- [this from the Feminist Bookstores' catalog...] "Alice Walker Banned" by Alice Walker. Featuring reprints of Alice Walker's stories "Roselilly" and "Am I Blue?" and an excerpt from her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "The Color Purple," this book explores attempts to marginalize one of our most provocative writers. "Alice Walker Banned" also looks at the controversial removal of the stories from a 1994 California Learning Assessment examination and repeated efforts to remove "The Color Purple" from school curricula and libraries. Aunt Lute Books, publisher. $10.95. Hardcover. Available at feminist bookstores everywhere. [Our local one is Mama Bears, and it has an 800 #: 800-643-8629, fax 510-654-2774, phone 510-428-9684, address 6536 Telegraph Ave., Oakland CA 94609] ---------- ---------- We learned from Kevn Jennings recently that there are 2 LGBTQSA high school groups in North Carolina!! Anyone know their contact info? We have posted information on the dozen or so such groups in CT on our web site at http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/Handbook/States/connecticut.html under IV. Allies and Youth Resources. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ OK TO RE-POST. Jessea NR Greenman, The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project is an all-volunteer effort CHECK OUT OUR FREE INFO-LOADED WEB PAGE AT http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ "The problem with the rat race is, even if you win, you're still a rat" -- Lily Tomlin