'Dimond Is Just A Start'
Author Says Dimond's Gay/straight Alliance 'Just A Start'

By RACHEL D'ORO
Daily News reporter

Dan Woog is drawn to Alaska's beauty and spirit. But a controversial high school club for gay and straight students is what actually brought the nationally known journalist to Anchorage, he said Sunday.

Through the Internet, Woog closely followed the emotional issue that erupted last year when Dimond High's Gay/Straight Alliance was formed. The club was created to promote acceptance and awareness, but ignited protests and heated community debates instead.

The public discussion since has quieted but not for long, predicted Woog, a Connecticut high school soccer coach and author of the book "School's Out: The Impact of Gay and Lesbian Issues on America's Schools." Woog also is a faculty advisor for the Staples High School Gay/Straight Alliance in Westport, Conn.

"What went on at Dimond is just a start," Woog told a couple of dozen people at Loussac Library. "We know other schools in Anchorage do not have gay/straight alliances, yet. So we know the controversy has not been put to rest."

Gay students will continue to feel unsafe at school as long as educators keep homosexuality in the closet, Woog said. Educators can help by incorporating gay themes in their lessons, by addressing derogatory remarks about gays and lesbians, and by being sensitive to behavior changes in students who may be struggling with their sexual identities.

Gay educators can be better role models by being open and honest about their own sexual orientation in a nonthreatening way. For examples, Woog dug into his own past and shared stories from his book about openly gay teachers, principals, counselors and coaches.

Woog is openly gay now. But there was a time when he couldn't fathom acceptance from colleagues, students and parents. He worked hard portraying a straight man, even changing pronouns when discussing weekend activities. Then it dawned on him: Students needed to know he was gay in order to respect him as a person.

"I did come out, and the world did not end," Woog said. "No one quit the team. No parents pulled their kids out. We actually drew closer together as a team."

While researching his book, Woog interviewed educators from around the nation who found similar reactions.

A girl's volleyball coach came out through an article in her prep school newspaper and nervously approached her team, only to find all the players had painted little pink triangles on their water bottles to show their support. A guidance counselor came out and feared he would be fired but encountered a steady stream of well-wishers, including a gay student who had considered suicide until he realized he wasn't alone.

After his hourlong talk, Woog answered questions from the audience, including one teacher who asked how to deal with people who fear such openness would turn vulnerable students gay. One could point out that schools constantly promote heterosexuality and gay students still struggle with their orientations, Woog replied.

"Straight society tried to recruit me for 20 years, and I wanted to be recruited," he said. "But society couldn't do it."