Positive images of gay youth

By FRAN RYAN, Staff Writer

WESTHAMPTON - A photo exhibit created to present positive and affirming images of young people who are lesbian, gay and bisexual is on display at Hampshire Regional High School.

Created by photographer Adam Mastoon, the Shared Heart exhibit was brought to the school by Hampshire Regional's Safe Schools Task Force. It will be open for viewing until Friday during school hours.

"The reason that we are doing this photo exhibit is to cultivate an understanding of the experience of gays and lesbians by presenting accurate information that dispels myths and contradicts stereotypes," said school health education coordinator Janice Doppler.

Doppler said that as part of a stigmatized group, gay and lesbian youth are often isolated from peers, teachers and family members. It is the isolation, she says, that puts young people at risk.

"Positive connections with other people help to create self-esteem in a young person," says Doppler. "Healthy connections with people - be they gay, lesbian, students, or adults - are an important form of protection against violence, sexual abuse, suicide and substance abuse."

Sara Holt, a junior at Hampshire Regional, attended the opening reception, which was held March 6. "I think the exhibit is great," said Holt, who is a member of the Gay/Straight Alliance.

Holt said she knows firsthand what it is like to feel the sting of homophobic behavior. She said she has been called names and had harassing notes left on her locker.

Yet, Holt said the harassment paled in comparison to the support system that had been put in place by the Safe Schools Task Force. "I was finally able to say 'who cares what these people think?' and that gave me the courage to come out," she said.

The portraits in the Shared Heart exhibit, which were funded by state Department of Education, depict young people from a diverse range of racial, economic and family backgrounds. They are represented by class presidents, athletes, artists, students and siblings. While each subject has an individual story and distinct perspective, the common thread that runs throughout exhibit is one of pride and empowerment.

During the opening reception held March 6, parents, staff, students and members of the community gathered in the main corridor where the photographs were displayed. Many said they were moved by the depth of the individual narratives.

"I am just blown away by the exhibit," said John Barber, co-chairman of the Safe Schools Task Force. "It is incredible that people in this age bracket are able to be so comfortable with themselves and have the ability to express themselves so well."

The Rev. Lois Happe, pastor of the Westhampton Congregational Church, said she has been encouraging people of her congregation to attend the exhibit. "I think it is important to be supportive of this kind of consciousness-raising event and I believe it is helpful to the community in general," she said.

"We hope that teachers will bring their classes to see the exhibit," said Elaine Shea, co-chairwoman of the Safe Schools Task Force. "These are really very powerful messages, and I think that it is important for the students to get to see the exhibit and to be able to talk about it."

Leslie Giordano, school psychologist, co-adviser of the Gay/Straight Alliance and an original member of the Safe Schools Task Force, said that events like the Shared Heart exhibit have definitely been making a difference in the climate at the school. "We have made a tremendous effort to make this school a place that is friendly and safe," she said. "The climate is not only safer for kids to come out, but it is also safer for their peers to support them in doing so."

Still, Giordano notes that there is still a good deal of work to be done. "There may always be a small amount of ignorance present," said Giordano. "But overall we have received a lot of support and that has really made a big difference.

'Balancing' display rejected

By FRAN RYAN, Staff Writer

WESTHAMPTON - Barbara Zalot, a Southampton resident, said when she heard of plans to display the Shared Heart exhibit at Hampshire Regional High School, she became concerned that the exhibit would present only one point of view.

However, Zalot's request to display what she called "balancing materials" at the exhibit was rejected by Superintendent William G. Erickson.

The balancing materials included statistics on HIV and AIDS, as well as articles about gays and lesbians that have been converted to heterosexuality, and ways in which concerned individuals can address and refute claims made by gay activists. "My main concern ... is that there are health issues that are not being addressed," said Zalot.

Erickson said Zalot's request was turned down because she is not a member of a school-based group and her material was inappropriate for the event.

"This is not an open forum about life styles," said Erickson. "It is a school-based student group that is sponsoring an exhibit, period."

Erickson also said that groups at the school should be able to have an exhibit without having to have a counter-exhibit at the same time.

The Shared Heart exhibit, sponsored by the Safe Schools Task Force, features portraits and narratives of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people. "It is a display of young people doing the typical things that young people do," said school health education coordinator Janice Doppler.

But Zalot said that the Safe Schools program has gone too far.

"I have had a problem with the Safe Schools Task Force from day one, because I feel that their programs are not balanced," said Zalot.

"We were told from the beginning that the Safe Schools Task Force was being put into place to prevent the harassment of gay and lesbian students," she said. "But what is actually happening is an affirmation of homosexual behavior."

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