Message from:
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

CSS-NYS Note: One board members states "we don't have a heterosexual club". This person must be truly ignorant about a Gay STRAIGHT Alliance. Contact info at end of article.

John Myers

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Grand Rapids Press, February 3, 2003
155 Michigan St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49502
(Fax: 616-222-5212 ) (E-Mail: editor@gr-press.com )
( http://gr.mlive.com/ )
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news-6/1044287315191840.xml

Gay Straight Alliance plan meets opposition

By Matt Vandebunte, The Grand Rapids Press

ROCKFORD - Rockford High School has an art club, a chess club, a French club, even a Creation Club in which students discuss Biblical origins of life.

What about a club dealing with sexual orientation?

One student at the school's freshman center has proposed such a group, a Gay Straight Alliance in which classmates could study topics such as gender identity and homophobia.

Not so fast, says one administrator.

"I don't care if it's a GSA or a heterosexual club, I don't think it's healthy," said Ron Faurot, freshman center principal. "I'm not convinced that those are positive discussions to have in school away from parents, one 14-year old to another 14-year old."

Students at hundreds of schools nationwide participate in similar clubs, and a growing number of West Michigan students - from East Grand Rapids to Holland - are starting groups as well. But Rockford officials aren't so sure it's such a good idea.

The unidentified student who wants to form a Gay Straight Alliance in Rockford must submit a "purpose statement" and find a staff adviser to make it an official club. The district by law has no right to censor one student club, as long as it sanctions others.

But school officials, and a potential staff sponsor approached by the student, worry a club dealing solely with sexual issues might do more harm than good. The proposed club would better serve students by addressing a wider range of topics, they said.

"The idea for these clubs, regardless of what they're called, is that no kids should get harassed," Faurot said. "It can't be done in a way that draws attention to itself for one narrow issue."

School board member JoAnne Holton, chairwoman of the committee that informally reviews all student clubs, also said she would prefer a club that embraces any disenfranchised student.

"I've got mixed emotions about (the GSA club)," Holton said. "We don't have a heterosexual club. I don't know if it's right to label it that way."

Rockford leaders said they have been in contact with officials at East Grand Rapids High School, where a Gay Straight Alliance has held monthly meetings with about 40 students for the last three years.

Students at East were the first in West Michigan to start such a club, and others since have followed their lead. Similar clubs exist at Forest Hills Northern High School, City High and Middle School in Grand Rapids, Holland High School, West Ottawa High School and Grand Haven High School.

The Gay Straight Alliance has provided an "extremely positive" forum for students to "talk openly about sensitive topics," EGR Principal Pat Cwayna said.

"The misnomer about GSA is that it's about sex," Cwayna said. "It's more about tolerance and giving kids a safe environment to discuss issues in."

Such groups are rapidly growing in the United States, said Sean Kosofsky, policy director for the Triangle Foundation, a Detroit-area gay advocacy group.

"The least safe place for gay and lesbian teens in America right now is school," Kosofsky said.

School officials in Rockford said they support any club that fights harassment and promotes acceptance of students, but are wary of a narrow label.
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FYI
Rockford High School
4100 Kroes
Rockford, MI 49341

Principal: Ryan Kelley
RKelley@rockford.k12.mi.us

Asst. Principals:
Lori Finnerty
LFinnerty@rockford.k12.mi.us

Steve Lewis
SLewis@rockford.k12.mi.us

Dan Zang
DZang@rockford.k12.mi.us

- Phones -
Office: 863.6030

- Fax -
Office: 866.5997

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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.

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

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