Message from:
The Coalition for Safer Schools of NYS, PO Box 2345, Malta, NY 12020
John Myers, Director of Operations and Programs
Email to:SARATOGANY@aol.com
The Real or Perceived Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Student Protection Project
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Posted on Tue, Feb. 11, 2003
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/local/5154567.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

Parents to weigh in on 'Laramie Project'

By ALEX FRIEDRICH
afriedrich@montereyherald.com

The gay-tolerance play "The Laramie Project" received tacit approval from Carmel Unified School District trustees Monday but now faces another set of potential critics:parents.

Moms and dads will soon be able to review the text and video of the play, as well as the Carmel High School tolerance program it's part of, and give school officials their opinions.

If parents raise legitimate objections, trustees said, the board will review the play and decide whether or how it is presented. If few objections are raised, teachers will introduce the play in classes this year.

"We think a lot of parents will support this," said school board President Amy Funt.

The play is part of a yearlong classroom project to teach sophomores tolerance of others. The explicit work, which deals with the 1998 murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard, has some parents concerned it might be inappropriate for study at Carmel High. No one has publicly opposed the subject matter -- homosexuality and homophobia -- but many aren't sure the text needs classroom study.

Superintendent Marvin Biasotti said his administration supports the project.

"We think it's an excellent tie-in to the bullying and harassment policy that we instituted last year," he told the board.

Board members raised no objections. But trustee Ernie Lostrom stressed that parents need a way to learn more about the work and voice their views. Several stayed away from Monday's meeting, he said, because they understood there would be no presentation or discussion.

"These people need to be redirected," he said.

The board has not determined a time for the forum. Biasotti said he hopes it will be in the next two weeks.

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Alex Friedrich can be reached at 648-1172.

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John Myers
Director of Operations and Programs
(518) 587-0176

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