Some feel disrespect from Project Respect
Santa Fe New
Mexican, March 13, 1998
202 East Marcy Street - P.O. Box 2048
Santa Fe, NM 87504-2048
(505) 983-3303 (print run 23,900)
editor@sfnewmexican.com
By Richard Chang
It was supposed to be a feel-good conference where young
people from diverse backgrounds get together to embrace their differences.
But for some, last weekend's Project Respect was a gathering
that made them feel uncomfortable, offended their spiritual beliefs and focused too much
on gay issues.
The state-sponsored conference, which took place at Glorieta
Conference Center last Thursday through Saturday, brought about 115 youths and young
adults together to discuss racism, sexism and discrimination against sexual orientation as
public health concerns. Participants, who ranged from 10 to 24 years old, attended from
all over the state, including Las Cruces, Roswell, Albuquerque, Gallup and Socorro.
The Socorro group - 17 youths and three adults from the
Maternal Child Health office at Socorro General Hospital - left the conference Friday
morning after they said they were uncomfortable with the some of the discussions and
activities. Many participants were chosen for their leadership potential and organizers
hoped they would return and mentor others.
"They felt there was too much focus on gay issues and
some of the messages around sexual activity," said Pat Cleaveland, deputy secretary
of the Department of Health. "They took their kids home, and that was
appropriate."
"We left because the kids felt uncomfortable," said
Beth Beers, coordinator of the Maternal Child Health office, a Socorro organization that
maintains the health of children, women and families. "We were misled about what the
topics would be."
According to Cleaveland and Project Respect coordinator Jo
Kenny, some Socorro participants complained about the strong presence of gays and lesbians
during the conference, and disagreements over sexuality and spirituality during workshops.
In addition, some questioned the attire of one male who
attended a Thursday night dance wearing a skirt.
The youth wore the skirt for a period of time, and then went
back to his living quarters and changed into pants, Cleaveland said.
"He was just expressing himself," said Cleaveland,
who added that skirt-wearing was not part of the conference program.
"That was his choice. He has every right in the world to
dress whatever way he wants," said Kenny, an independent contractor for the
conference. "It wasn't an officially sanctioned part of the event."
But a Friday morning discussion on culture, tradition and
spirituality was the event that "tipped the cup over," Beers said. According to
the conference program, the workshop explored "the role of spirituality and religion
play [sic] on creating a safe and respectful environment." The workshop apparently
included arguments that homosexual behavior should not be considered immoral.
"It was disrespectful to our personal beliefs that we
were raised in," Beers said. "It went against the biblical beliefs of our group.
Our beliefs were not respected."
The Socorro group of 11- to 18-year-olds left the Glorieta
Conference Center immediately after that workshop, with half of the conference remaining.
Beers said the decision was unanimous among youths and adults.
Soon after, the Socorro participants complained to the
Department of Health, which sponsored the conference, and to Gov. Gary Johnson. On
Thursday, Johnson, already touring the area for his re-election campaign, and four top
administrators from the health department traveled to Socorro to meet with the adults,
youth participants and their parents.
The administrators included Cleaveland; Health Secretary Alex
Valdez; William Weise, director of the public health division; and Norty Kalishman, chief
medical officer at the health department.
Johnson and Valdez apologized to the group for any offense
taken during the conference, and the participants discussed their concerns. Johnson said
he would do something about the situation, but did not specify what action he would take.
"We agreed with them that the conference didn't meet
their needs and that they had valid concerns," Cleaveland said in an interview.
"They were very honest and made their concerns very clear."
Cleaveland said the group agreed to possibly hold another
conference in Socorro, where people with concerns could be part of the planning process.
Beers said Thursday's group, which consisted of about 35
people, was pleased with the meeting.
"The Department of Health came down in full force and
answered our concerns immediately," she said.
But others involved in organizing the conference said the
vast majority of participants enjoyed themselves and were not offended.
"Ninety-five percent of people thought it was the best
conference," said Kenny, who hopes to assist with a similar conference next year.
"This (incident) dishonors the young people who stayed and worked through their
uncomfortabilities."
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