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ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS November 26, 1996
letters@pop.adn.com

GAY-STRAIGHT CLUB DRAWS ALLIES, FOES

Controversy triggered by a new club for gay and straight students at Dimond High School continued Monday night as nearly two dozen speakers lined up to air their views before the Anchorage School Board.

Only a handful of the 21 people who signed up to speak got their chance during the 30 minutes allotted for public comments on unscheduled items.

Before anyone took the podium, Board member Kathi Gillespie asked that, in light of the controversy, the board at a future meeting review district policy on the type of clubs allowed to use school facilities. The Board had not acted on her request by late Monday. (*)

None of the speakers heard Monday were students. Sentiments among the adults who spoke ranged from full support of the Gay/Straight Allinace to outright condemnation.

"This particular club could stir things up to the detriment of the entire community," said Gary Horton, a parent. "This is displeasing to God. Listen with your hearts to a real sensitive issue."

Fred Hillman, a board member of Parents, Families and friends of Lesbians And Gays, urged board members to carefully consider a Massachusetts state education policy adopted three years ago. The policy bans discrimination against gay students and teachers at public schools, Hillman told board members, who said they have a copy of the Massachusetts measure.

"They're making schools safe for gay and lesbian students," Hillman said. "Massachusetts is a pioneer in this area. Alaska, a state of pioneers, should be leading this issue."

The club was months in the making but officially started Nov. 13, and quickly sparked outrage from both parents and students. A varsity hockey player had to sit out a recent game for ripping down a club flier on campus. Some parents accused members of launching a dating service or gay recruitment effort.

Others came to the club's defense, saying alliance members are promoting acceptance and awareness.

School district officials said the club is allowed under district policies and federal law. Schools superintendent Bob Christal said students legally established the club as set forth in a district policy adopted three years ago. The district poliicy conforms to the federal Equal Access Act, which prohibits schools from banning clubs for their religious, political or philosophical views.

But atleast one board member, David Werdal, has said an exception to the distriict policy applies for clubs that distract students from learning, which, he said, the new club has the potential to do.

(*) NOTE: From daydreamer@lunatic.asylumbbs.com
The school baord meeting went on until almost one A.M. The Board agreed to hold a work session to discuss how the Equal Access Act applies to the Dimond High Gay/Straight Alliance - and how to proceed from there. The meeting will be held one hour before the regular Board meeting December 9th at 5:30 - 6:30 P.M. The Board meeting will then be held from 6:30 P.M. until midnight. Both the work session and the Board meeting will be broadcast on cable channel 43, but only the Board meeting will be open to the public.

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In case you missed the editorial in today's (11/27/96) edition of the Anchorage Daily News, I am reprinting it below.

***If you have any articles/information for submission to the School Board
*** concerning this subject, email it to me or mail to:

Dan Carter
P.O. Box 210072
Anchorage, AK 99521-0072
AlaskaDan@aol.com

THE ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS November 27, 1996
P. O. Box 149001,Anchorage,AK,99514-9001
(Fax 907-258-2157, print run 103,831)
(E-MAIL: letters@pop.adn.com)

GAY TEENS - THEY NEED COMPASSION, NOT HATRED

How many adults would happily trade their independence and responsibilities for a chance to go back to high school and relive those sometimes tortured days?

Even for the most "normal" youths, the transition from childhood to independence - figuring out who you are and where you fit in the world - can be awkward and often painful.

What do other kids think of me? Am I a loser? A nerd? A goodie-two shoes? Should I try to be cool, by joining a group that drinks, or smokes, or takes drugs? And what's all this talk about condoms? Is everybody but me having sex?

Take all those adolescent pressures and apply them to a teenager who's having some doubts whether he or she conforms to our culture's heterosexual ideal, and you have the recipe for real psychological torment. It's no wonder gay teens generally are considered to be a high risk for suicide.

All teens need an environment that offers understanding and tolerance, especially gay teens. Thats the logic behind the formation of the Gay/Straight Alliance at Dimond High.

But the subject of sexual orientation is too threatening for many people to consider with logic or reason. The Dimond High club has prompted an outpouring of vitriol, much of it stirred up by irresponsible radio hosts who need a fresh controversy to stimulate their audiences.

This exploitative outburst has put a shameful side of Anchorage on full display. Those who say that gay teens must go straight - that they must change a fundamental part of who they are - deny fellow human beings the very essence of their humanity. It's akin to telling Jews that all they have to do to avoid persecution is convert to Christianity.

Federal law bars public schools from discriminating against after-school clubs based on their religious, political or philosophical beliefs. If Anchorage schools allow any club to meet after hours in the school, they cannot discriminate based on the club's views. At Monday's hearing, the school board showed little inclination to give in to critics assailing the Dimond High club. If others keep pressing the issue, we hope the board will continue to hold firm.

The federal "equal access" law was passed to accommodate conservative religious groups that wanted to host Bible club meetings on school property.. Those Bible clubs have a legitimate place in the extra-curricular school scene - and so do those who want to promote understanding and tolerance for gay people. The Dimond High Gay/Straight Alliance should be left to do it's work in peace.