Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1998 11:03:07 -0800 From: Eros Publishing Subject: Press Release The Safe Schools Coalition of Washington 814 Northeast 40th Seattle, WA 98105 MEDIA ADVISORY Jan 4th Press Conference and Vigil marks 5 year Anti-Gay School Harassment Research Contacts: Beth Reis, Seattle/King County Health Dept, (206) 296-4755 or (206) 997-5318 Frieda Takamura, Washington Education Association, (253) 946-4695 Joyful Freeman, American Friends Service Committee, (206) 632-0500 Press Conference: Monday, 10:00 a.m., Jan. 4, 1999 at Seattle Center House, Conference Room H · Beth Reis, Safe Schools Research Project principal investigator, will summarize the findings from 111 reports of anti-gay harassment in Washington state schools received over the past five years · Parents, youth, and educators will honor those who have made reports by reading selected reports · Two parents (one of a student who sued his school district and one of a young man who took his life as a result of anti-gay harassment) will read and respond to press questions · Representatives from PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the Washington Education Association, the ACLU, the University of Washington School of Adolescent Medicine, the League of Women Voters, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), the American Friends Service Committee, the School Nurse Organization of Washington and other coalition members and allies will comment and be available for press interviews. Vigil & Reading: Monday, 4:30-9:00 p.m., Jan. 4th, 1999 at Pilgrim Congregational Church at Broadway & Republican on Capitol Hill, Seattle WHAT: The community will come together to honor the brave individuals who have shared their difficult and sometimes brutally painful experiences that we might learn from them. WHO: Students, parents, educators, elected officials and others will read aloud the stories of all one-hundred eleven incidents of school-based anti-gay harassment and violence that were reported to the Safe Schools Research Project over the last five years. The Rev. Jan Bolerjack will preside. Vigil readings were coordinated by Joyful Freeman and Robert Raketti of the American Friends Service Committee. Youth, staff and volunteers from Lambert House and Planned Parenthood Olympia Teen Council and Stonewall Recovery Service’s Kaleidoscope program will be greeters and ushers. http://www.leatherdaddy.com/aubrey.htm