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

FYI
LAMONI HIGH SCHOOL
202 N Walnut St
Lamoni, Iowa 50140
Office:(515) 784-3351
Fax:(515) 784-6602
(see Board address below)

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DES MOINES REGISTER, October 28, 2001
Box 957, Des Moines, Ia., 50304
(Fax 515-286-2511 ) (E-MAIL:letters@news.dmreg.com )

WORDS THAT HURT
SCHOOLS SHOULD DISCOURAGE PUT-DOWNS

Your Oct. 14 stories on anti-gay language in Iowa schools were timely and accurate. Indeed, the National School Boards Association encourages the addition of sexual orientation" to the anti-discrimination policies of local boards nationwide because of the need to protect all students from harassment.

In contrast, leaders of the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) have adopted the opposite position, not recommending that local boards add the language until the Legislature mandates the protection statewide. The IASB currently affirms instead that its role in protecting schools from grievances and lawsuits is the operative principle.

Having recently struggled through a bitter, community-wide debate over adding the protective language to the Lamoni schools policy manual, our board can understand to some degree the IASB position. But with Iowa's African-American population at 1 percent and the Hispanic population at 3 percent, it seems incongruous that the estimated 4 percent of Iowa's students who are gay should go unprotected against the targeted harassment against which the former two are specifically spared by law. With suicide rates two to three times higher among gay teens, the need should be self-evident.

Local school boards wishing to address the issue are unfortunately on our own at present. It is doubtful that the Iowa Legislature as presently constituted will grant the needed protection anytime soon. We would therefore welcome some progressive reconsideration on this issue from the IASB. leadership.

With the national average "coming out" age down to 13 for boys and 15 for girls, the issue is squarely in the middle of our public schools and should be a priority item for all who have responsibility roles.

Who is at risk after all? Our kids or our administrators?
· William D. Morain, vice principal, Lamoni School Board, 408 S. State St., Lamoni, Iowa 50140-1713
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John Myers
Director of Operations and Programs
(518) 587-0176

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