Education, Civil Rights Groups Respond to Wayne-Westland Schools Removal of "Sexual Orientation" Protections

JEFFREY MONTGOMERY; President,
Triangle Foundation:

"It is outrageous that the Wayne-Westland School Board would rescind its model policy on protecting students from harassment based on sexual orientation. In an action on 18 August the members of the Wayne-Westland School Board did much more than simply remove "sexual orientation" from it’s policies. They put every student, regardless of their known or perceived sexual orientation, at risk.

"Furthermore, the Board reversed its own previous good judgment, based on bad legal advice and in cowardly response to the hysterics of radical conservative voices.

"The Wayne-Westland school district has opened itself grave and expensive liability. Worse, it has given tacit approval and acceptance to ill-treatment, verbal and physical abuse, and emotional trauma to the students in its care.

"Board member Matthew McCusker was the lone voice of reason; the only member of the Board to vote to retain the policies. He should be commended and congratulated for his attempt to keep the district on sound footing, while his colleagues ---even those who had previously supported the policies--- collapsed under pressure from ignorant, badly informed, and mean-spirited fringe factions in the community."

MICHAEL CHIUMENTO;
Michigan Education Association-Gay/Lesbian Caucus:

"As a citizen of Westland and a teacher in the public schools, I was both saddened and outraged by the 6-1 decision of the Wayne-Westland Board of Education to delete "sexual orientation" from its existing policies at their regularly scheduled meeting on August 18, 1997. Students, teachers and staff who are gay or lesbian have received a very clear and chilling message from the Board that they are fair game for both harassment and discrimination.

"The Board chose to stick with the same tired arguments that "sexual orientation" is not a protected category in the state or federal statutes and the addition of it to district policies could lead to "unnecessary litigation." School Board members chose to ignore the fact that gay and lesbian kids are already fearful and three times more likely to commit suicide than their peers. They chose to ignore their own mission statement which states that "we must generate a climate for change - and educate with equality."

FRANK COLASONTI, Jr.; Co-Chair,
Gay Lesbian and Straight Teachers Network of Detroit:

"It is shameful and potentially tragic that the Wayne-Westland Board of Education members, who are elected to protect all students, have decided to abandon their mandated responsibility. By repealing the term "sexual orientation" from the school district’s policies, the Board members tacitly approve of violence against Wayne-Westland students who happen to be, or are perceived to be, gay, lesbian or bisexual.

"The Board's action is unwise, un-Christian an un-American. Its action is tantamount to institutionalizing child abuse within the Wayne-Westland Public Schools."

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For further information, or contact with the above spokespersons, call:
Jeffrey Montgomery, Triangle Foundation: (313) 537.3323