Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 16:22:10 -0700 From: Jean Richter Subject: 6/11/98 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. CA: Story on Modesto's struggle for safer schools 2. Gay teen's web site 3. HBO to air film on suicidal gay teen 4. PA: Philadelphia school board pledges to implement Policy 102 5. NJ: Art teacher sues over anti-gay discrimination 6. LGB youth chat on Thursday nights ================================================================= EDCAL, June 8, 1998 The official newspaper of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) 1517 "L" Street, Sacramento,CA,95814 (FAX: 916-444-1085 (e-mail lroberts@acsa.org) One district struggles, succeeds in creating safer schools California school superintendents are learning that the issue of gay rights advocacy in schools is not easily confined anymore to the state's metropolitan areas. But the issue sure can generate big city emotions. Modesto City Schools Superintendent James Enochs was admittedly blown away by one family's poignant story of how their gay son had been harassed at school. The family requested an audience with the superintendent in November 1996 to explain to him how their son had been pushed, shoved, jeered and tormented over the years. The parents wanted a safe place for their son to learn. "I went in with the same freight most people of my generation carried." Enochs recalled in the Feb. 15, 1998 issue of the Modesto Bee. "I had a tolerance for gay jokes." He walked out a changed man. "You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by reports of their son's daily treatment. ... I knew right then I wouldn’t be a superintendent of a district that allowed that to go on," Enochs said. He vowed to make Modesto schools a safer place for gay and lesbian students and appointed associate superintendent Sharon Burnis to lead the district's Safe School Project to find some solutions. For four months the group, composed of teams from each of the district's high school sites, studied the issue of gay and lesbian students' treatment in Modesto schools. Enochs concluded that sexual orientation should be added to the district's policy on non-discrimination and arranged for the project committee to attend a Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network conference in the Bay Area. "We thought we could learn more to better serve our students and staff," Burnis recalled. When the MCS school board adopted a policy in March 1997 calling for tolerance of sexual orientation in schools in a document titled "Principles of Tolerance, Respect and Dignity to Ensure a Safe School Environment," the Central Valley town exploded. The community was focused on the issues for months, Burnis said. "There was a man who came to (a board) meeting with $3,400 in cash and threw it all over the room," she said. "He said that's how much money we were wasting by sending the district to the conference." Members of Modesto's church community also spoke, saying their rights, too, had been violated when they were excluded from the discussion of a subject that touched the very core of their beliefs. The debate also attracted out-of-town interest from the Rev. Lou Sheldon of the powerful Orange County-based Traditional Values Coalition. "When we first began this, I thought how could (the churches) be offended by us going to the GLSEN conference?" Burnis said. "They were concerned that the schools were now promoting gay and lesbian lifestyles. It came down to communication." She was also astonished to hear that some of "our confident Christian kids" had also felt the sting of discrimination because of their beliefs. The Safe School Project members agreed to enlarge their committee to include more community representation from churches and cultural and health- based organizations. The group soon numbered 90. The real turning point in the debate came when Enochs asked theologian Charles Haynes of the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University to address the committee. "When he came in and spoke to our group, it was like a transformation," Burnis said. "We didn't have to get into the curriculum issues. When you talked about philosophical issues, people were willing to compromise." Haynes' presence originally disquieted many participants on both sides of the debate, but they were eventually swayed by his simple message. Haynes' notion, imbedded in the ideals of the U.S. Constitution, spoke of the universality of rights, responsibility and respect. "We found that we have common ground, that we could give and take," Burnis said. The Safe Schools Committee reconvened and brought a new policy, with the word tolerance replaced by rights in its title and text, to the board in January 1998. "We literally had only changed 11 words, but it was no longer just semantics," said MCS special education teacher and GLSEN member Rosalie Pinkert in a January presentation to the board. "What had evolved was a crisply defined Modesto City Schools' statement of intent." The district is continuing to evaluate staff and student surveys regarding schools' respect for their diversity. The district's newly-approved principles are also posted in every district classroom. A three-year district plan calls for staff development, class curricula and extra-curricular policies based on respect, rights and responsibilities of students and staff. Burnis admits that Modesto's Christian community might still believe that the district has gone too far in its advocacy. The gay community and its supporters might think the district has not gone far enough. "(Members of the gay community) wish, like any of us, that we could move faster, but they understand that it is all about finding common ground," she said. "The more I've thought about it, it can't be a single issue. If you make it one you are ignoring the issues of other kids." ================================================================================= From: "william shaefer" Cc: alexgrant@hotmail.com Subject: Possible Link Site of Interest Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1998 20:39:49 PDT Please consider inclusion of Alex's Realm in your page's content. This site found at http://www.geocities.com/westhollywood/heights/6800 is an incredible piece of work crafted by a fifteen year old gay youth. Through the site, Alex speaks frankly about his experiences being sexually, physically and mentally abused by his father; his dependencies on drugs, alcohol and sex; his friendship with another male adult, Anthony, who he subsequently loses through an airplane accident; his prostitution; his ultimate adoption by a wonderful loving family; and his insights into life, abuse, love, sorrows and hope. Alex offers all this through the use of prose and poetry in a very candid, sensitive and insightful manner. Although the subject matter will undoubtly offend some, the strength of Alex's poetry combined with the clarity of his perspective certainly demands your review. . I am interested in your thoughts. Thank you for your time! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ============================================================================ PRNewswire, June 11, 1998 ELLEN DEGENERES TO INTRODUCE ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING FILM ``TREVOR,'' DEBUTING ON HBO IN AUGUST Suicidal Gay And Lesbian Teens -------- NEW YORK, June 10, 1998 -- Ellen DeGeneres will introduce the Academy Award-winning film TREVOR when it debuts on HBO this August, it was announced today by Carole Rosen, vice president, original programming -- family, HBO. Winner of the 1995 Oscar in the Live Action Short Subject Category, TREVOR tells the poignant story of a teenager who struggles to come to terms with his sexual identity. The stylized first-person narrative film was written by James Lecesne, based on his one-man stage show, produced by Randy Stone and Peggy Rajski, and directed by Rajski. Moving, insightful and often comic, the special is slated to premiere on HBO Tuesday, Aug. 11 (7:30-8:00 p.m. ET). DeGeneres recently shot her introduction to the film in Los Angeles. "We are excited that Ellen will introduce TREVOR to HBO viewers,'' said Rosen. "This powerful film addresses issues that touch the lives of many families today, and could help teens and parents open a discussion about suicide, sexuality and tolerance.'' "TREVOR is about anybody who feels they're not part of the majority or a group that is powerful,'' DeGeneres said. ``I hope kids out there see that they're not alone in their feelings, if they're gay or whatever it is -- that there's somebody else out there who has been through exactly what they're going through. There is hope and there is help. The message is: Don't give up.'' Producers' profits from the film go to The Trevor Project's hotline, a special 800-number set up as a crisis intervention resource for gay and lesbian adolescents who may be contemplating suicide. Geared toward helping those in crisis, or those wanting to help someone they know in crisis, the hotline was created by the film's producers when they discovered that no such 24-hour toll-free number existed in the country. With startup funds provided by the Colin Higgins Foundation, the nationwide hotline will be launched in August, coinciding with the premiere of TREVOR on HBO. The Trevor Project is a non-profit organization created to promote greater acceptance of gay and lesbian individuals and tolerance for diversity, and to heighten awareness of teen suicide. According to a 1989 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study, suicide is the leading cause of death among gay and lesbian youth. TREVOR begins with the desperate attempts of 13-year-old Trevor to reach his preoccupied parents. When his efforts fail, he resorts to his personal diary, where he confides his most intimate secrets, including his adoration of the music of Diana Ross, passion for musical theater, and fondness for his schoolmate Pinky Faraday. When his classmates discover his feelings, they begin to mock him. Feeling isolated, Trevor tries to run away to San Francisco, but his parents stop him at the bus station and later force him to talk with a priest. Father Joe confronts him about his feelings for other boys and Trevor resolves to change. But as the ridicule at school grows and the pressure is too much to handle, Trevor writes a final note to his parents and attempts suicide by swallowing a handful of aspirin. When he awakes at the hospital, Trevor has found a friend in a candystriper, who convinces him that he has much to live for. TREVOR was honored at the Sundance Film Festival and won Best Short Film at the Berlin International Film Festival. The cast includes Brett Barsky as Trevor; Stephen Tobolowsky as Father Joe; Judy Kain as Trevor's Mom; and Jonah Rooney as Pinky Faraday. Producer Stone is an Emmy Award-winning casting director, whose credits include "The X-Files'' and "Say Anything.'' He also developed and executive produced "Little Man Tate.'' He is currently the senior vice president of talent and casting at 20th Century Fox Television. Director Rajski is a former feature film producer whose credits include ``Home for the Holidays,'' "Little Man Tate,'' "Used People'' and "The Grifters''; she has also worked with John Sayles on his films "Eight Men Out,'' "Matewan'' and "The Brother from Another Planet.'' The producers of TREVOR are Randy Stone and Peggy Rajski; directed by Peggy Rajski; writer, James Lecesne. ============================================================================== Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 10:30:18 -0400 From: PLGTF Subject: more philadelphia education news I suppose our good news today -- june 11 - is that the Philadelphia Board of Education President Floyd Alston yesterday promised a Lesbian and Gay Task Force convened public interest team that the Board would review new recommendations to assure the implementation of and public reporting on the Board's January 1994 (that's 1994!) adopted Policy 102: Multiracial-cultural-gender education reform policy. The President would not agree at our June 11 1998 presentation to convene a requested critical mass meeting of School District education reform key leaders -- all associated with major foundation and corporate business types who contribute about 1% of the total school budget. The District, now a decentralized structure, is puportedly driven by local control with the board setting broad policy. Policy 102 has been diminished significantly by the district superintendent, David Hornbeck, who was hired nearly a year after policy adoption and who publicly affirmed support for the policy during a community interview process. The presenting team included in order of presentation: Bertha Waters, LSW, an educator and equity advocate since 1980; Ernest Jones, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition; Sue Cassidy, President Elect, PFLAG and Melina Waldo, Regional Director, PFLAG PA, DE, and NJ; Helen Gym, representative of Asian Americans United and the co-editor of the Philadelphia Public School Notebook (a great progressive independent newspaper); Larry Gross, Ph.D., Professor of Communications and Task Force Co-Chair; Aissia Richardson, parent and staff member of the Black United Fund; and Rita Addessa, Task Force executive director. A copy of the Multiracial-cultural-gender education policy, intended to guide ALL education reform elements, inclusive of curricula and teaching, together with a copy of the new recommendations is available on request to the Task Force 1616 Walnut Street, 1005, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5310. 215-772-2001 and plfgt@op.net. Note to Pennsylvania readers -- the education equity project needs support - both human and financial resources - if you can help, give us a call and many thanks. =================================================================================== FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 1997 THE RECORD L-3 NORTH JERSEY "Former teacher accuses district of job bias" By CHRISTOPHER MUMMER Staff Writer Ousted because of age, sexual orientation, suit says "A former music and arts teacher in the Upper Saddle River school system is suing the district, alleging that she was let go from her job because of her sexual orientation and her age. In the complaint, filed in state Superior Court in Hackensack, 52-year-old Eileen Argenbright says she suffered "extreme emotional distress, humiliation, anguish, stress, and pain" as a result of her termination for her job as a non-tenured vocal music studies teacher at the Emil A. Cavallini Middle School. The complaint asks for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. Argenbright, who says in the suit that she's a lesbian, taught students in the fifth through eighth grades at the school beginning in 1995, when she was hired as a part-time teacher, the complaint says. She taught full-time at the school during the 1996-97 school year, but was not rehired for the upcoming year. School officials did not return calls seeking comment. The complaint says Argenbright was a popular and well-respected teacher who increased the membership of the school's music studies department from 30 to more than 150 students. She also directed school choral groups and coordinated theatrical productions. The complaint says Argenbright's theatrical productions were well-received by students and community members, but that several students who did not receive solo roles in productions raised "concerns" with school administrators about Argenbright's sexual orientation beginning in December 1996. The complaint says Argenbright first learned on March 3 that she would not be rehired, when she was informed by the school principal that she was "too set in her ways." The complaint also includes a number of positive reviews from Argenbright's supervisors up to that point. On March 20, Superintendent Nathan Parker told Argenbright that she would not be rehired, and told her that if she challenged the decision she "would never work in New Jersey again," the complaint says. The complaint includes a number of letters written on her behalf by students, teachers, and community members. Some of those people attempted to organize support on Argenbright's behalf as it became clear that she would not be rehired for the next school year. The school board delayed a vote on Argenbright's status after a number of people attended a meeting to support her on April 28, the complaint says. The board later approved Parker's decision not to rehire Argenbright. Argenbright needed only one more month of service to become fully vested with 25 years of service in the state teachers' pension, said her attorney, Patrice Renner of Hoboken. She is now living in Pennsylvania and looking for another job, Renner said. "There was so much over-whelming evidence that she was doing a remarkable job motivating her students," Renner said. It was inexcusable that her contact was not renewed. I think she was treated disgracefully." ---------- EDIT NOTES BY EILEEN ARGENBRIGHT JEFFREY E. GOLDMAN, ESQ., has replaced attorney Patrice Renner. The GOLDMAN legal offices are located in Pennsylvania at 210 W. Washington Square, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19106 Tel 215.568.8355 Fax 215.925.0508 and in New Jersey at 800 Kings Highway North, Suite 505, Cherry Hill, NJ, 08034 Tel 609.779.0811 Fax 609.667.8288. KEVIN LAYTON, ESQ., of the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, has become a legislative counselor to the case. Attorney Layton can be reached at 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005 Tel 202.628.4160 Fax 202.347.5323 and e-mail kevin.layton@hrcusa.org GEORGE DeCARLO, of DeCARLO v. WATCHUNG HILLS REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, NJ, has become Internet Web Page Designer and Information Distribution Specialist. George DeCarlo can be contacted at http://www.netcom.com/~alexdn, or at alexdn@ix.netcom.com, or at 908.322.4319. SU BETH WALSH, has come on board as the case OMBUDSMAN. Su Beth can be reached at e-mail: Amelia@noln.com =================================================================================== Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 12:59:02 -0700 Subject: !OutProud! Chat Show on The Student Center Begins Tonight From: "Channel Q News" To: qnews@channelq.com !OutProud! to host Weekly chat show every Thursday at 10:00pm EST !OutProud! will host a weekly chat show for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth in the Gay/Les/Bi chat area of The Student Center. OutProud's Gay/Les/Bi Chat show will be every Thursday night at 10:00pm Eastern time and will debut tonight, June 11. We invite everybody to attend and we hope that your organization will add a link from your site. The URL is http://studentcenter.infomall.org/glb.html The chatroom is open for you to use 24/7, but the hosted !OutProud! show will just be on Thursday evenings. The Student Center is a leading web community for college students, high school students, and teens. They have just created a section for gay, lesbian, and bisexual students at http://studentcenter.infomall.org/glb.html It includes live chat, an online BBS, a Cyberpals personals forum to meet other students, free web based email for life for students to keep private email accounts, and links to valuable resources such as OutProud. For further info, contact: Jeff Edelman of The Student Center Jeff@studentcenter.org http://studentcenter.infomall.org !OutProud! info@outproud.org http://www.outproud.org ============================================================================== 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/