News from the NEA/GLC

Contact:

Jim Testerman, Co-Chair 717/848-3354

Bonnie Cullison, Co-Chair 301/774-1701

Sharon Miken, Communications Director 609/786-9311

(Washington)--Citing a school district's responsibility to provide "safe schools for all students," Jim Testerman, co-chair of the National Education Assn. Gay and Lesbian Caucus today criticized a Michigan school board for backing down in its protection of all students, especially those whose sexual orientation is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered.

"Students need to know they can go to classes, walk the halls, attend football games, and participate in all school-related activities without fear of being called names," said Testerman. The most prevalent and damaging name-calling and taunting is that associated with sexual orientation. School districts need to be loud and clear in declaring that homophobic taunting and harassment will not be tolerated in any public school setting." Testerman's remarks came in response to a decision by the Wayne-Westland School District to rescind an inclusive policy that it passed over- whelmingly in January.

"To delete 'sexual orientation' from the policy," added Testerman, "is to leave the rules ambiguous and open to interpretation by students. By reversing their position, they are in essence saying that such homophobic behavior is acceptable. They have for all intents and purposes relegated lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered students to second class citizenship. Students need clear guidelines to tell them what is acceptable and what is not acceptable in society. What the Wayne-Westland board members did in January sent a very clear message to all students. By rescinding their policy, they are creating a hostile school climate that is not conducive to learning," said the GLC leader.

Since the policy was rescinded, the former and present school board presidents have been engaged in a "caving or catering" controversy. Current board president Debra Fowlkes expressed her concern about the rights of gays and lesbians in the 15,000-student school district in suburban Detroit but said sexual orientation protection wasn't needed. Since existing codes already protect students and staff from harassment and discrimination, adding "sexual orientation" was unnecessary "duplication," she stated.

Former school board president Trish Brown, who is a lesbian and was the target of a negative campaign regarding her sexuality, said the school board was "caving in" to angry parents and others who believe the district was "catering" to gays and lesbians.

Noting this, the NEA/GLC's Testerman said, "If the protection wasn't needed, students wouldn't be harassed in school. If the protection wasn't needed, people wouldn't be attacked, beaten and/or killed because of their sexual orientation.

"Saying that it is not necessary," added Testerman, "is just a ploy to divert attention from the real issue of discrimination. Once you identify that students and educators are subjected to hostile environments every day they enter the school, you must speak out. Failure to do so makes you an active accomplice in the verbal and emotional harassment lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered students and educators face every day in this country."

Added Testerman, "A line has been drawn in the sand. Where you stand defines who you are and what you stand for. The Wayne-Westland School District is standing on the wrong side of the line--the side of ignorance and harm."