Message from:
The Coalition for Safer Schools of NYS, PO Box 2345, Malta, NY 12020
Email to:SARATOGANY@aol.com
The Real or Perceived Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Student Protection Project

FYI
GRACE DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL
1200 W Rumble Rd
Modesto, California 95350
Office:(209) 576-4500
Fax:(209) 576-4028
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Modesto Bee 10/8/01
P. O. Box 3928,Modesto,CA,95352
Fax 209-441-6499, print run 92,490
e-mail:letters@modbee.com

http://www.modbee.com/life/story/968945p-1030087c.html

Teen:'Be honest and open'
By MARIJKE ROWLAND
BEE STAFF WRITER

When Tina Ransom started getting bothered by another student, she thought it was funny.

At first.

But what began as a classroom discussion in January escalated day after day to become something insufferable several months later.

"I had no desire to go to school anymore," said the now 18-year-old. "I just couldn't face it. And I had a lot of support."

Ransom was facing lewd pictures left on her desk, pointed slurs and joking insults.

All because she is gay.

Under Modesto City Schools Safe Schools policy that was implemented in 1998, anti-gay harassment is barred. It strictly outlines rules for handling discrimination.

Ransom, who was going to Davis High School at the time, went to her school counselor first in May. The counselor took a "love the sinner, hate the sin" look at her problems, telling Ransom she might not always be gay and to accept Jesus into her life.

Unsatisfied with her counselor's mediation, she spoke with the administration. In mid-May, Ransom finally went to the Modesto City Schools board directly.

She went for herself, but also for all the other students facing the same treatment.

"I have so much support from GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) and my parents," she said. "But if someone else goes in looking for help who doesn't have as much support as me? What happens to them?"

Ransom eventually transferred to Elliott Alternative Education Center to complete high school. She graduated in June.

Based on her complaints, the school board set up a district-wide training session for counselors. About 45 junior and high school counselors attended the session at the end of last month.

"It is so important for gay kids to know that they have rights," Ransom said. "No one should be treated like that."

Strength in numbers

As the nation gets ready to celebrate National Coming Out Day on Thursday, Ransom encourages others to be open and honest about their sexual orientation. She said the more people come out, the less they will be harassed.

"If there were only one football player in the whole school, he is not going to be the popular kid," she explained. "But if there is more than one, then it builds a community. It is the same with gay kids."

Started nationally in 1988, National Coming Out Day has been celebrated in Modesto and Stanislaus County for more than eight years. This year's festivities will be marked by speakers, billboards, fund-raisers, a panel discussion and poetry readings, starting Wednesday and continuing through Oct. 18.

"The truth is, if more people would come out, less people would be able to show their ignorance about gay and lesbian people," said longtime GLSEN member Tom Martin.

He points to the recent remarks of the Rev. Jerry Falwell as an example. After the terrorist attacks last month, Falwell accused gays among other groups of helping cause the atrocities.

"Everyone has the right in America to look at this issue how they want to," Martin said. "But they don't have the right to hurt or go after someone because of those beliefs."

To help get the message across, GLSEN, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Modesto Junior College and California State University, Stanislaus, are sponsoring educational events over the next two weeks.

PFLAG has two billboards up around town. A sign on McHenry Avenue just north of Bangs Avenue reads "Unconditional Love," while another on Ninth Street between D and E streets says "Safe Schools."

This is the second time the group has put up billboards.

"The response was good last time," said PFLAG co-chairwoman Marian Martino. "But also the message is good. It's an ongoing process."

At the GLSEN annual fund-raiser, two nationally known youth speakers will share their stories. Steven Cozza will talk about his experiences founding Scouting For All, a group focused on changing the Boy Scouts of America policy barring gays. Derek Henkle, a former Reno high school student, will talk about filing a lawsuit against his school board for anti-gay harassment.

"We wanted to let people know what was going on with young people," said Alice Miller, who helped coordinate the event. "Everyone can do something to help keep kids safe at school."

While Modesto City Schools and the state of California already have policies barring harassment for sexual orientation, Martin said more can always be done.

"We need to move from safe to safer schools," Martin said. "It is terrific on paper, but it needs to be put into action."
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This message has been distributed as a free informational service for the expressed interest of non-profit research and educational purposes only.

PRIMER WEBSITES

GLSEN --- Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network
www.glsen.org
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
www.lambdalegal.org
Safe Schools Coalition of Washington
www.safeschools-wa.org
The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project Home Page
www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
www.pflag.org
Empire State (NY) Pride Agenda
www.prideagenda.org
GLAAD

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
www.glaad.org
Unity Through Diversity (Long Island)
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Castro/3212/
LIGALY Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth
http://www.ligaly.com/

"The Real or Perceived Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered Student Protection Project"
("Being safe at school should not be a radical concept".. Jamie Nabozny)

A project of:
Coalition for Safer Schools of New York State

John Myers
Director of Operations and Programs
PO Box 2345
Malta, NY 12020
(518) 587-0176

Email:saratogany@aol.com

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