Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 16:39:16 -0800 From: Jean Richter Subject: 2/13/98 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. GLSEN hires Director of Programming ========================================================== Subject: GLSEN hires Director of Programming Date: Fri, 13 Feb 98 16:32:23 +0100 x-sender: glsen@trudy.digitopia.com From: Jenesha de Rivera To: News from GLSEN ............................................................ An important message from GLSEN-Alert, the electronic news service of GLSEN. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network -- GLSEN 121 West 27th Street, Suite 804 New York, NY 10001 212-717-0135 -- 212-727-0254 - fax glsen@glsen.org Visit the GLSEN Blackboard online: http://www.glsen.org/ ............................................................ Immediate Release Contact: Kevin Jennings, Executive Director x113 Kate Frankfurt, Director of Advocacy x108 Tel: (212) 727-0135 FIRST OPENLY GAY TEACHER IN UTAH HIRED AS GLSEN DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING NEW YORK - The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has named Clayton Vetter to the newly-created position of Director of Programming. Vetter, a school teacher in the Salt Lake City area for thirteen years, is recognized as the first openly gay teacher in the state of Utah. While on the staff at Skyline High School he served as debate coach, leading the team in a five year winning streak that resulted in 15 state championships and 2 national championships. As a result, Vetter was awarded the Suzanne Larson Award for Outstanding Coaching in 1994. Vetter was also one of the founders of GLSEN/Utah which hosted GLSEN's first national conference in 1997. "I am looking forward to doing things at GLSEN that directly impact programs and chapters. While times may be changing quickly, I think that educators and especially young people are facing a myriad of new challenges and opportunities" Vetter said. "Clayton brings an invaluable perspective to GLSEN with his background as not only a classroom teacher but also an openly gay person from the 'front line' of the struggle" said Kevin Jennings, GLSEN Executive Director. As GLSEN's Director of Programming, Vetter will work to: *Find ways to provide direct support for student organizers; *Develop and deliver staff trainings on what schools can do to make their environments safer for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth; *Develop curricular materials for classroom use; and *Advocate for curriculum that is accurate and inclusive on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered issues. -more- Vetter is a recipient of the 1995 GLSEN Pathfinder Award, given to him for his courage in coming forward as an openly gay teacher at a time in which his home state of Utah was aggressively pursuing the passage of laws restricting teacher speech regarding gay issues. Vetter's press conference at the capitol was attended by his current and former students who spoke of how impressed they were that he would "take such a risk and stand by his convictions." Vetteršs first project at GLSEN will be to develop curricula for the documentary film Out of the Past , winner of the audience prize at the 1998 Sundance film festival. The film, a history of gay life in America, will be available for use in schools this fall. Featured prominently in the film are events surrounding the Utah controversy during which Vetter "came out" in 1996. -30- With over seventy chapters, and a membership of over seven thousand teachers, parents, and concerned citizens, GLSEN is the largest national organization working to insure that schools are places where all people are respected and valued, regardless of sexual orientation. For more information, visit our web site at http://www.glsen.org/ or call our office at 212-727-0135. GLSEN Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network 121 W. 27TH ST. Ste. 804 New York, NY 10001 tel: (212)-727-0135 fax: (212-727-0254 Please check out our website: http://www.glsen.org/ Teaching Respect For All in our Schools ............................................................ Visit the GLSEN Blackboard online: http://www.glsen.org/ Past GLSENAlert posts are archived on the GLSEN Blackboard: http://www.glsen.org/pages/sections/news/glsenalert/ ............................................................ For information about subscribing and unsubscribing to GLSENAlert, send an email to: with the subject of body: help If you have problems using these commands, you can contact the list server administrator at: ............................................................ =========================================================================== 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/