[The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project notes: a list of MI allies for taking up this matter systemically in MI is appended to the end of this message. While Michigan is NOT a state in which there is statewide textbook adoption, the state board and education department ARE working on statewide curricular standards, called CORE CURRICULUM CONTENT STANDARDS. We urge MI activists to get involved at the statewide level in advocacy for inclusion in curricular standards and policies of fair, accurate,
and diverse information about LGBT people and about sexual orientation. {We urge those in OTHER states to do likewise, of course,
as this issue is coming down the pike to your neighborhood and state SOON, and it is far far better to know your way around your state's educational bureaucracy than to let the religious political extremists get the jump on us on this issue, for that puts us in the position of fending off bad curricular policy rather than advocating for inclusive, good curricular policy}.
Information on how to do this for Michigan is located at in the Michigan section (and, for other states, under those respective sections. If you don't have Web access, let us know what state you are interested in working on and we'll send you that section via email. You can write to us at THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
321 W. Lafayette Blvd.,Detroit,MI,48231
FAX: 313-222-6774, E-MAIL: Editpg@det-freepress.com

Tuesday, June 4, 1996

GAY TEEN APPEALS FOR HELP AT SCHOOL

* Board delays action to ban harassment

By Dan Shine, Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

The Allen Park School Board delayed action Monday on revising a policy that forbids, among other things, harassment of students because of sexual orientation. The issue was brought up at a May meeting when the mother of 14-year-old Joshua Winowiecki asked the board to protect her son from harassment by other students at Allen Park High School.

About two months earlier, Joshua had told a friend that he was gay. After word got out, Joshua was spit on by students, called names, had pictures of naked men tossed at him and stones thrown at him. The boy, his mom, a civil rights attorney and members of area gay and lesbian groups attended the May 13 school board meeting. They said the family would sue unless the board acted to stop the harassment.

The Allen Park situation reflects a growing trend nationwide as school districts struggle with how to protect gay and lesbian students from harassment. School board member Robert Bratten on Monday night (June 3) asked for the delay to further study the policy's proposed wording. The board will address the issue again June 10. Board members unanimously agreed, angering many attending the standing-room-only meeting held at Allen Park High School. 'Shame on you,' said Raymond Salliotte III, Joshua's attorney. 'It's a sad day in Allen Park.'

Joshua said he was disappointed by the board's action, noting that he 'still hears comments every day.' Some victims of such abuse have taken their cases to court. Patricia Logue, an attorney for Lambda Legal Defense Fund in Chicago, represents a former Wisconsin high school student. Jamie Nabozny and his parents sued the Ashland, Wis., district last year in federal court, claiming it had not protected him from antigay harassment. Logue said gay and lesbian students 'should have a safe learning environment, regardless of what you think of that student.'

***NOTE: Allen Park High School, 18401 Champaign, Allen Park, MI 48101

MI ALLIES AND YOUTH RESOURCES

LGBT PRINT MEDIA
"Between the Lines," USERRDG7@um.cc.umich.edu, Shannon M. Rhoades, Editor-in-Chief

[Don't forget the protracted struggle gay male teacher Gerry Crane had in MI earlier this school year to keep his job after having a commitment ceremony with his partner
and then wearing a wedding band to school and THEN honestly answering his students' questions about the ring. As with all state, MI needs more systematic, statewide curricular policy reform advocacy by LGBT? and supportive people.]

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Last updated 6/5/96 by Jean Richter, richter@eecs.Berkeley.EDU