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West Des Moines Community School District
APRIL 12, 2000
EDITORIAL: HAVEN'T THEY LISTENED?
ANTI-GAY SLURS ARE COMMON IN HIGH SCHOOLS.
POLICY SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE REALITY.
West Des Moines school officials don't get it. Either they haven't heard the anti-gay slurs common in Valley High School halls or they don't believe what people have told them. Otherwise, they would have added "sexual orientation" to the district policy prohibiting harassment.
Instead, they promised better enforcement of the existing ban on harassment. That sounds good, but packs less punch. That ban has been in place, and so have the put-downs.
The existing ban says "Harassment of employees and students will not be tolerated ..." It then specifies harassment to include conduct directed at an individual or group based on "age, race, creed, color, sex, nation origin, religion or disability." It doesn't say sexual orientation.
Straight students are called "faggot," too. But it's an all-purpose slam that grows directly out of contempt for gays and lesbians. Gay and lesbian youngsters, often struggling to come to terms with their identities, should be able to go to school without encountering such hostility.
The legalistic excuse that sexual orientation is not a protected class in state and federal law, therefore including it in district policy wouldn't fix the problem misses the point.
The point is that verbal gay-bashing is a reality in schools, not just at Valley in West Des Moines, but pretty much everywhere in the upper grades. That's why a few brave school boards Des Moines, Ames and Decorah among them have changed their policies to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. That doesn't, by itself, fix the problem, either, but it does fully recognize it
That's essential.
Des Moines Register, April 17, 2000
LETTER: GAY STUDENT TO BE COMMENDED FOR COURAGE
I thank the Register for the article regarding gay students, and I commend Galen Newton. Few of us have the courage to divulge our true lives, and fewer yet must face a prejudiced majority that would oppose our lifestyles and our basic rights. Newton showed remarkable courage ("Gay Student Fights to Change School Policy," April 10).
Newton is requesting that "sexual orientation" be added [to his school district's anti-harassment policy].
Mike Hartwig, a representative of the Iowa Family Policy Council, opposes Newton's policy of sexual orientation in the schools. Hartwig said, "To think the American family has broken down this much that this is even a debate. It's so disappointing."
My wife, my daughter and I are an "American family," and we definitely support Galen Newton. He has every right to live his life as he wishes and not be harassed by others; nor should he be forced to hide who he is because he's "afraid of what someone might say or do."
-- Patrick Knoll, 4850 71st St., Urbandale, Iowa 50322-1893
If, as Mike Hartwig said, "Homosexuality is a very dangerous lifestyle," he and his kind present the primary danger: culpable ignorance of homosexuality and of families.
-- L.L. Daly, 305 W. Jefferson Ave., Fairfield, Iowa 52556-3413
Did anyone else take note of the clergy presence at the West Des Moines school board meeting last week? Pastors from local Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran and United Church of Christ churches all spoke passionately about adding sexual orientation to the anti-harassment policy of the West Des Moines school district. As a Presbyterian clergywoman who was also in attendance, I was humbled by and proud of my colleagues in these mainline denominations who gave their support to this issue and those whom it seeks to protect.
-- The Rev. Barbara B. Nish, parish associate, Heartland Presbyterian Church, 14300 Hickman Rd., Des Moines, Iowa 50325.
When I read the April 10 article, "Gay Student Fights to Change School Policy," I was very disappointed by the quote from Mike Hartwig. Hartwig said, "Homosexuality is a very dangerous lifestyle. I don't know why anyone would encourage people to be involved in that."
The change that Galen Newton is trying to bring about isn't saying that people should be gay. It's simply asking for the same protection extended to others for their differences. I have gay friends, and they do face harassment based on their sexual orientation. I also know that they don't choose to be gay. They choose to accept that they are gay instead of keeping it hidden, but they don't make the choice to feel the feelings they do.
What is even more disappointing is the last part of his statement: "To think the American family has broken down this much that this is even a debate. It's so disappointing." Is it better for homosexuals to be a part of "traditional" families, or is it better to accept who they are? In other words, is it better to live a lie in order to appear normal than to accept the truth? Homosexuality is a part of life, and trying to hide it behind a facade of the ordinary won't make it go away.
-- Steven Block, Maple 115 Cranor, Ames, Iowa
Letter: WHO WOULD CHOOSE TO BE GAY?
Thanks for openly and directly presenting the position of Galen Newton ("Gay Student Fights to Change School Policy," April 10) and many other young members of the Gay/Straight Alliance. As a former teacher at Valley, I know Galen well. He is bright, creative, energetic, innovative and has a heart as big as the ocean. He is also very brave to have broken ground never before attempted.
There may be a very slim chance of "converting" strongly opinionated opposers of homosexuality. However, that does not eliminate the need for continued support of those who feel the negative impact of public opinion.
Through working relationships, educational experiences, cherished friendships at my church and many years of caring about the youth in my classes, I firmly believe that homosexuality is not a choice. Who would ever choose a lifestyle that alienated one from family, friends and colleagues, raising eyebrows and voices that so strongly admonish and chastise these people for what they are?
The simple point of Galen's request is fair treatment for all citizens, including gays and lesbians. His petition was for the addition of two words "sexual orientation" to be included in the list of protected minority groups. Some may say that because this clause now includes "sex or gender," it includes homosexuals. In theory, that would be right. Many groups think they have addressed the issue and solved the "problem" of fair treatment; but until they have the courage to state it, the conviction is still lacking.
Many of us, no matter our religious affiliation, were schooled in the Golden Rule and have been taught since youth to treat others as we would want to be treated. Harassment can be merely a negative attitude that projects itself sufficiently to be perceived as offensive to a victim.
I am straight, married and have a family. I want my family to learn love and respect for others and to treat all people with the dignity each human being deserves.
-- Ann Morris, 1003 Euclid Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50313-4029
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Last updated 4/25/2000 by Jean Richter, richter@eecs.Berkeley.EDU