From: Date: Wed, 25 Jan 1995 12:18:33 -0500 Message-Id: <950125121828_6359014@aol.com> Subject: NGLTF Statement on Des Moines Curriculum Announcement ************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NEWS RELEASE Contact: Robert Bray (415) 552-6448 Robin Kane (202) 332-6483 ext. 3311 (800) 757-7736 pager 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 ************************************************* STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE ON THE DES MOINES SCHOOL BOARD CURRICULUM ANNOUNCEMENT Washington, DC, January 25, 1995...At a meeting of the Des Moines school board last night, Board Superintendent Gary Wegenke announced that the board would not immediately implement changes in the school curriculum as proposed by the Sexual Orientation Advisory Committee. The announcement followed weeks of controversy in Des Moines regarding the inclusion of homosexuality in the school curriculum. The following statement is attributable to Robert Bray, field organizer with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, who has been assisting advocates supporting the Des Moines curriculum changes. The debate over the multicultural curriculum proposal has elevated visibility of gays and lesbians and our issues to an unprecedented level in Des Moines. This visibility has galvanized lesbian and gay people and our families and friends to come out, to speak up, to challenge discrimination. It has changed Iowa forever by cracking open the closet door and bringing into the light the real discrimination and fear gays and lesbians face every day. It has reaffirmed our perseverance for securing justice in the Midwest and around the nation. We are disappointed in the School Board's decision not to implement the policy immediately. Children are learning every day about the world and about themselves. There is not a day to waste in teaching them about tolerance and respect for diversity. If the schools remain silent, then ignorance is perpetuated. We commend those public officials who have bravely come forward to defend basic principles of fairness, dignity and respect. We especially commend School Board member Jonathan Wilson for his bravery in publicly coming out at last night's meeting He is now the highest ranking openly gay public official in Iowa. He and other openly gay public officials have exposed the lies and distortions about what hate mongers such as Bill Horn and radio "shock-jock" Jan Mickelson spew about gay people. We will continue to work with the gay and lesbian community of Des Moines to challenge the forces of intolerance and organize for their freedom. We believe this debate will continue. The gay and lesbian community will grow stronger. The statement by the Des Moines Public Schools is not the end of this battle, only another step in our struggle for equality and fairness. --end--