Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 16:02:07 -0800 From: richter@eecs.berkeley.edu (Jean Richter) Subject: CA: Modesto school board controversy || GLSTN: Calls for award nominations and conference proposals [First, some administrative details. I've gotten a message from one of our subscribers that non-ASCII text is appearing in my messages. I'm trying something different in this message - if it doesn't work, and non-ASCII characters are still being transmitted, please let me know. I'd also welcome any suggestions as to how to prevent this in the future. I'm using Macintosh Eudora 2.1.3 to send mail.] Date: Fri, 13 Dec 1996 18:37:35 -0700 From: "Thomas J. Martin" Subject: Doings in Modesto. BIIIG Doings! We are having some interesting things happening in Modesto. Last August, a group of concerned educators met to consider what we could do to alleviate the intimidation and derogatory comments made to glbt students and staff in Modesto City Schools. We composed a letter expressing our concerns and sent it out to a dozen or so superintendents of schools in this area. We informed them of the BANGLE/ GLSTN Conference which was to take place in October in Union City and urged them to attend. I was asked to make a call to our own superintendent, James Enochs, to set up an appointment for several people to address the issue with him in person. Two weeks later, the entire administrative panel met with eight of us, including two parents and their gay son. We merely shared our stories and the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Our only real request was that the district send some representation to the conference. To our utter amazement, the district authorized up to four persons from each of the six high school sites to attend. At a Board meeting just prior to the conference, many protestors, led in part by conservative Board member, John Hollis, loudly, angrily and vociferously protested the District's proposal. There were 21 speakers, and as it turned out, 11 were in favor of the teachers going and 10 were opposed. The hateful tone from the religious conservatives was rather frightening to some of us. Several of the protesting parents attended the conference, also. The district people were all asked to attend only those sessions which dealt with safety issues in the schools as a means of appeasing the right(eous) who claimed, ahead of the conference, that this was to be a group of gays and lesbians promoting homosexuality all day. We all attended a screening of Kevin Jennings' video, "Teaching Respect for All," as our first session. We were blessed to have Kevin join us for most of the video and a lively discussion that followed it. Most participants who were there to be enlightened came away feeling that the video was powerful, profound and poignant. They also "fell in love" with Kevin Jennings. He answered the toughest questions and adroitly manuevered in the tightest spots, doing so in a positive and gentle way. He was nothing short of astounding. A few weeks after the conference, a Mr. Darroh, a parent who had been extremely vocal in the earlier protest, and who attended the conference, came to a Board meeting and dumped $3000 dollars out on the table saying that this was the amount that the district had "wasted" by sending the educators to the conference when they could have spent just $60 to buy the video of Mr. Jennings' talk. In the meantime, the district held meetings for all district-sponsored conference attendees. The purpose was to debrief and talk about what we had learned. At the first meeting we watched "Teaching respect for All" again and were asked to sit as site teams and write down the issues in the film which are also concerns at our own schools. These were synthesized and presented to us in the second meeting to review for completeness. At this same meeting, parents and students were added to the group. Together we watched the first portion of Pam Walton's "Gay Youth" video. This section, about Bobby Griffith's suicide, moved everyone, but also left several in tears. In the emotional discussion which followed, several people were moved to "come out." One story presented the difficulties about living in a marriage with a gay man and father of two who eventually passed away from AIDS-related infections. The mother tearfully recounted that her straight children had little in the way of counseling available to them through the schools. Another educator told of living a lie for twenty-eight years before admitting her lesbianism and starting her life anew. Another teacher mentioned having a cousin who was transgendered and told of the "hell" that "Martha" had gone through before encountering health care professionals who would assist in the transition to "Mark." Then the bombshell was dropped. Mr. Darroh, the same parent who has shown how to catch an audience's attention, asked for and received a spot on the next Board meeting's agenda to expose the video, "Teaching Respect for All", as full of inaccuracies. He is asking the Board to prohibit the further showing of the video as an instructional tool in Modesto City Schools. He has inaccurately reported the film as "approved" when it has not been adopted by the Board at all, and referred to the United in Diversity Conference as "the Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Conference." According to the opposition, the video "bashes" and "mocks" Christians and their churches. The lone conservative Board member has stated that the suicide statisticspresented were wrong, citing the work of Dr. Charles Socarides. Socarides is the author of a book titled, "Homosexuality: A Freedom Too Far." It should be noted that Socarides' own son, Richard, is a gay man who is the White House liaison to the gay and lesbian community. The Board meeting on Monday, December 16th, should be exciting. Rumors abound that the location of the meeting will have to be changed to accomodate the "several hundred" Christians who will be attending. Meanwhile, members of GLSTN San Joaquin Valley and PFLAG Stanislaus, as well as several tolerant churches, have begun to phone and write friends, co-workers and relatives to join them at the meeting. It is expected that the vote will be 6 to 1 in favor of retaining the film as an educational tool, but this process could also set up vulnerable Board members as targets for ouster in the next election. Other instructors in the district see this attempt as nothing more than censorship and a denial of academic freedom. There is anger among some staff members that a small faction is setting itself up as the arbiter of what is appropriate for teachers to view. Many feel that this is totally unacceptable and that these "concerned" citizens have severly stepped over the boundaries. Wish us luck. Submitted by Tom Martin [Here is an account of what happened at Monday's school board meeting:] From: GLSTNAlert@aol.com Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 17:37:52 -0500 Subject: GLSTN Wins Victory in Modesto Controversy GLSTN News December 17, 1996 Modesto, California Background: In late October, over 20 teachers from the Modesto (CA) schools attended the BANGLE-GLSTN Conference and watched GLSTN's new video "Teaching Respect for All." Their attendance was a matter of great controversy, and led to increased furor when they returned and recommended the school order copies of the video and offer it as a professional development tool to faculty. Last night, the school baord met to address protests against use of the video, whcih they accused as being "full of inaccuracies." Tom Martin, a GLSTN member and teacher in the Modesto schosl, sent us this update this morning. "The Board of Education of Modesto City Schools, voted 6 to 1 this evening, to deny the request of the conservative christian group to prohibit the further use of the video "Teaching Respect For All" featuring Kevin Jennings of GLSTN. Claiming that the video was flawed, the group attempted to be the judges of what teachers in our district could and could not see in their training on issues in education for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth. We are very proud that nearly 40 PFLAG and GLSTN members joined forces and made a really good showing at the meeting and spoke most eloquently on the need to continue to use the film." Reply-to: martint@earthlink.net ======================================================== GLSTNAlert is a GLSTN news bulletin service of the The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN). ======================================================== To Unsubscribe from GLSTNAlert simply send an email to GLSTNAlert@aol.com with the words "Unsubscribe GLSTNAlert" in the subject line (no quotes and note the lack of space in GLSTNAlert). ======================================================== To Subscribe to GLSTNAlert simply send an email to GLSTNAlert@aol.com with the words "Subscribe GLSTNAlert" in the subject line (no quotes and note the lack of space in GLSTNAlert). Also: please write your name in the message portion of your email. ======================================================== From: GLSTNAlert@aol.com Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 00:02:09 -0500 Subject: GLSTN P A T H F I N D E R NOMINATIONS N O M I N A T I O N S F O R T H E 1 99 7 G L S T N P A T H F I N D E R A W A R D S The Pathfinder Awards were created by GLSTN in 1994 to recognize those who have made an outstanding contribution to the fight to create schools where all people are respected, regardless of sexual orientation. Past winners have included GLSTN co-founder Kathy Henderson (1994), Chair of the Massachusetts Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth David LaFontaine (1995), philanthropist Terrance Watanabe (1996), and the advisors to the Salt Lake City East High School Gay-Straight Alliance (1996). In 1997, nominations will be accepted in four categories: Educator/School Staff Student Community Activist Organization Individuals or organizations may be nominated by GLSTN members only by completing the form below. GLSTN staff, national board members, chapter co-chairs, and their family members are ineligible for these awards. The winners will be chosen by the GLSTN National Board Management Committee in consultation with the Executive Director. The Pathfinder Awards will be presented at the GLSTN National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 23, 1997. All recipients will be provided with transportation, lodging, and complimentary registration to the conference. Deadline for submission of nominations is January 15, 1997. Nominations may be made via electronic mail (GLSTN@glstn.org), fax (212-727-0254) or U.S. Mail (122 W. 26 St. Suite 1100, NY NY 10001). Name of Nominee: _____________________________________ Category: _____Educator/School Staff _____Student _____Community Activist _____Organization Nominee's Address: ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________ Brief Description of Nominee's accomplishments and why these merit an award (150 words or less). Name of Nominator: ____________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________ Email: ____________________________________ Please briefly your relationship with the individual/organization you have nominated: Thank You! ======================================================== From: GLSTNAlert@aol.com Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 00:02:20 -0500 Subject: GLSTN CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS *****PLEASE POST AND RE-POST AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE***** GLSTN CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS PROPOSAL FORM For the 1997 National and Regional Conferences DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS---JANUARY 15, 1996 GLSTN conferences provide those working to create more inclusive climates on issues of sexual orientation in K-12 schools with concrete tools they can use in their work. Sessions at past conferences have included: "Gay and Lesbian History for High School Students"; "'But They're Too Young!': Discussing Gay and Lesbian Issues with Elementary-Age Students"; "Impacting School Board Elections: A Guide for Citizens"; and "'Straight But Not Narrow': The Role Of Heterosexual Allies." Interested individuals and organizations are invited to submit proposals for workshop sessions by completing this form. Indicate at the close of this form the conferences for which you wish to present, bearing in mind that GLSTN does provide complimentary registration for conference(s) but does not cover travel or other expenses. Please share this information with other interested individuals as well. If there will be more than one presenter, copy Part 1 of this form and complete all contact and demographic information for EACH presenter. The deadline is January 15, 1996. PART 1 Name:______________________________________________________________________ __ Are you the only presenter? Yes_____ No _____ If "No" please include information from PART 1 on your co-presenter(s) Work/Affiliation: __________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________ State: _________ Zip: _____________________ Telephone: (________)____________________ Fax: (________)___________________ Email: ______________________________ GLSTN strives to acheive diversity in both its conference presenters, and in the presentation material. Please provide the following information about yourself: Gender: __Male __Female __Transgender Race/Ethnicity: __White __African-American __Hispanic/Latino(a) __Asian/Pacific Islander __Native American __Multiracial __Other, please specify ______________________ Sexual Orientation: __Gay __Lesbian __Bisexual __Heterosexual PART 2 Title of Workshop Session:___________________________________________________________________ _ Brief Description of Workshop (75 words or less--attach additional sheet if necessary) Intended Audience(s)--please check all that apply __educators, please specify level: __elementary (K-4) __middle (5-8) __secondary (9-12) __ parents __ students __ community members Audio/Visual Requests/requirements* __ Flip Chart __ VCR and monitor __ Slide projector/screen __ Overhead projector/screen __ Other: ________________________ * Audio/Visual requests are subject to availability Conference(s) at which you wish to present--please check all that apply __The GLSTN National Conference--Sat.-Sun., March 22-23, Salt Lake City, UT __The Second Annual GLSTN/Southern Regional Conference--Sat. February 22, Atlanta __The Third Annual GLSTN/Northeastern Regional Conference--Sat. April 5, Boston __The Third Annual GLSTN/Midwestern Regional Conference--Sat.-Sun. April 11-12, Cleveland __The Third Annual GLSTN/Western Regional Conference--Sat. April 25, Los Angeles Return Proposals by December 15, 1996 to: GLSTN ATTN: Conference Proposals 122 West 26th St., Suite 1100 New York, NY 10001 By fax: 212-727-0254 By e-mail: GLSTN@glstn.org Thank you for your interest! ======================================================== [Here's some more specific information and a call for proposals for the Boston GLSTN conference:] Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 08:22:23 -0700 From: alipman@div.harvard.edu Subject: GLSTN conference in Boston Here's the RFP form for the Spring GLSTN conference in Boston. I was hoping you would be able to disperse this to your general mailing list with a note indicating that we have no money for honorarium or travel expenses but if people happen to be in the Boston area for other reasons and would be interested in sharing their information with others we would love to hear from them. Thanks for your help. Take care, amy lipman Request for Proposals The Seventh Annual Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network Boston Conference, "WALKING THE TALK: Practical Steps Toward Building Safe and Productive Learning Communities," is scheduled for Saturday, April 5th, 1997 at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This all-day conference will feature over 40 workshops and seminars, bringing together educators, youth, and community members concerned with homophobia in schools and equipping them with concrete strategies for making a difference. New this year will be an "Administrators' Track" designed for school principals and board members, a "College Track" for pre-service teachers and G/L/B organizations, an expanded "Youth Track," and an increased emphasis on tying theory to practice. If you would be interested in presenting at this exciting conference, please complete the following form and return to GLSTN before January 24th, 1997 - thanks! Need additional info? Please contact GLSTN/Boston at (617) 661-2411. Name/Address/E-Mail of Presenter(s) Target Track: Youth Admin College General Title: Topic of presentation (25 words max.): How will the topic be presented (25 words max.): What practical tools will be provided (25 words max.): Audio-visual needs? Willing to present twice? Thanks! Pen ================================================================ Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK OUT OUR INFO-LOADED WEB PAGE AT: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/