Vol 2(1) October 1997
A Message from our new Co-Chair: Jerry Turner
Greetings and salutations!! My name is Jerry Turner. I teach Science at Sherwood High School in Montgomery County. I have been active in GLSEN for a little over a year, most recently in the Speakers Bureau.
This summer, I attended the GLSEN National Leadership Training Institute (LTI). (Thanks to the GLSEN/DC Steering Committee and general membership for sending me!) The LTI took place at Ohio Wesleyan University from July 13-19. The training was separated into two sections: focusing on ourselves as change agents; and focusing on running an effective chapter.
Our first activity was to recognize the "hero" and "heroine" in each of us. Through the use of Greek Myths, we identified the forces that hold us back and propel us forward as leaders. These myths were used as touchstones at various points of the training to bring us back to our personal purpose for attending. Many activities during the first section focused on becoming change agents in our schools or institutions. We learned how to develop objectives and action plans, recognize key influencers, and how to have difficult conversations while attending to personal dynamics.
Throughout both sections, the trainers urged us to use the following model when we problem-solve:
| assess | research | choose | build |
| plan | ensure action | learn |
We also learned how to build an effective, self-funding muticultural chapter that represents the mission and vision of GLSEN. I believe that the Leadership Training Institute has better prepared me to take a more active role in GLSEN/DC.
I welcome the opportunity to demonstrate my recently acquired skills and learning in the co-chair position. I'm looking forward to a great year!! Please contact me if you need anything: (301)924-3200 or online at Jerry_Turner@fc.mcps.k12.us.
This year's programming will reflect GLSEN's commitment to providing information and services to those who work with young people and are interested in ending homophobia in schools. It is GLSEN's intent to design our activities based on data gathered in the D. C. Metropolitan Area which indicates the real needs of g/l/b/t youth and those who serve them. All those interested in assisting with GLSEN/DC programming, please contact Shelley Jones at (301)871-6200, ext 254 or online at sjones@barrie.org. First meeting: Thurs, Nov 20; location: TBA.
GLSEN National issued its first "report cards" in September identifying schools that fail to protect students and teachers from harassment and discrimination. The reports were based on data collected from 128 districts in 20 states nationwide and compiled by 62 GLSEN chapters. Criteria used included whether schools have policies in place that: protect students and teachers from harassment, discrimination; provide staff with workshops and training; provide staff with workshops and training; provide accurate and age-appropriate information in school libraries; support extracurricular activities and clubs; and offer an accurate and inclusive curriculum. Half of the school districts reported received a failing grade. Massachusetts, the first state to enact legislation prohibiting discrimination in public schools on the basis of sexual orientation, received an A minus. Without including that state, the national average drops to a D.
It's an official name change! GLSTN's Board of Directors voted this summer to change our name to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network. The name change was made after a "thoughtful process involving market research and ample opportunity for comments from members and chapter leaders." Now, GLSEN's name is in line with its mission to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation. We anticipate that this will break down many of the barriers we all have experienced in recruiting volunteers, members, and other forms of support. Remember, you still say "glisten," but now you spell it GLSEN!
Here are some things you can do for your own GLSEN/DC:
When you hear about a local event, organization, or publication with which you think GLSEN/DC should connect, please let us know.
Tell a friend or colleague about GLSEN.
Write your membership check of $35, and/or send us a gift on top of that to help start the school year: GLSEN/DC, PO Box 363, Cabin John, Maryland 20817.
Give a GLSEN/DC membership as a gift to your school, church, or organization.
from the Washington Blade, Sept 11, 1997
courtesy of Margie Tolchin
A sixteen-year-old Montgomery County boy was arrested on September 11, 1997, for assaulting his Gay classmate at Gaithersburg High School. He has been charged with first degree assault, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years. Another arrest is expected shortly. The openly Gay student who was assaulted usually deals with the "continuous verbal harassment" by ignoring it. But, this time, as he walked away from his taunters, he turned around and blew a kiss. One of the boys started punching him and, when he was pushed to the ground, other boys started kicking him in the face and head. Another student pulled the attackers off of him and helped him to the restroom. The school's security guards arrived minutes later.
The student has met with the school administration and feels that "they're doing the best that they can and they're being supportive." School principal Fred Evans said that "[t]his school will not accept or tolerate anyone [being] treated unfairly because of their preference... [i]t's not appropriate, there are laws against it, and we take those laws very seriously."
This is the first reported incident of Gay bashing since Montgomery County Public Schools amended its anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation in the spring of 1996. The student who was beaten believes that he is the only openly Gay student at his school. He wants to start a Gay-straight alliance.
GLSEN/DC's Liza Knapp will be presenting "Homophobia 101: How Homophobia and Heterosexism Affect Students" at the AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland Schools) conference in Baltimore, on Monday, December 1 from 9:00 to 12:00 noon. This presentation will help teachers understand the problem of homophobia in schools and its impact on all students, regardless of sexual orientation. Topics to be addressed during the first part of the session include the following: homophobia, heterosexism, and unearned privilege; orientation, identity and behavior; the effect of homophobia on student performance; homophobia as a contributing factor is youth violence, depression and suicide; and how elementary, middle, and upper school students encounter homophobia.
During the second part of the session, a panel of students and parents will speak about the impact of homophobia in their own lives. The session will conclude with a discussion of the ways in which teachers and administrators can respond to homophobia in their schools and thus create safer learning environments for all!
Contact AIMS at (410)987-7025 or (301)621-0787 for registration information. (AIMS members/teachers receive a discounted registration fee!) You do not have to be a Maryland Independent School teacher to attend.
Tim Doyle
Ellen Fye
Press HERE to use our online membership form.
Books for your PERSONAL and PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Selected from "Resources for School Libraries," a bibliography compiled by Jill Karpf. In addition to the publishers, most of these books are also available at Lambda Rising bookstore in Washington, DC (202)462-6969 and on AOL), or can be ordered from your local bookstore.
Harvard Educational Review, Vol 66, no 2, Summer 1996, (Special Issue) "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People and Education." $12.00 (phone: 617-4956-3432)
Heron, Ann, ed. Two Teenagers in Twenty (Boston: Alyson Publishers, Inc, 1994).
Herdt, Gilbert, ed. Gay and Lesbian Youth (New York: Harrington Park Press, 1986).
Kissen, Rita M. The Last Closet: The Real Lives of Lesbian and Gay Teachers (Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Heinemann Publishers, 1996).
McNaught, Brian. Gay Issues in the Workplace (Saint Martin's Press, 1993).
Whitlock, Katherine. Bridges of Respect: Creating Support for Lesbian and Gay Youth (American Friends Service Committee, 1989, pb $5.00 from American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102).
Gay and Lesbian Characters and Themes in Children's Books
Selected from an annotated bibliography compiled by Wendy E Betts, copyright 1995. (This bibliography may be freely copied for personal non-profit use as long as this copyright notice is retained. Any other use is prohibited without permission.)
Crutcher, Chris. Athletic Shorts (William Morrow, 1991). A collection of stories about athletic boys facing challenges in their lives, including "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune," about a boy with two sets of gay parents and "In the Time I Get," in which Louie, the main character of Crutcher's Running Loose becomes friends with a gay man dying of AIDS. Ages 12 and up.
McClain, Ellen Jaffe. No Big Deal (Lodestar, 1994; ISBN 0-525-67483-7). Usually passive and insecure, thirteen-year-old Janice is forced into action when her mother joins a campaign to get her favorite teacher fired, because of rumors that he's gay. A familiar theme, but a fairly good version of it; Janice's relationship with her teacher is nicely drawn. Ages 10 and up.
Fund-Raising Report
The September 17 fund-raising event was a great sucess. About fifty people attended a party at the home of Wes Combs and Greg Albright at which spoke GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings and former teacher Rawley Farnsworth. GLSEN/DC members contributed nearly $800, which was a huge boost to our treasury. Gifts which came in as a result of that event brought our total up to $2,000. Many thanks to everyone who participated. Special thanks to Bob Witeck, Beth Applegate, Martha Pritchard, Jeanne Embich, Jerry Turner, David Hish, Arlette Clayton, Michelle Bailey and Kim Nelson.
Meet friends, share stories, support GLSEN/DC! Please join us at Trumpets for cocktails, soft drinks, munchies and socializing. This fun-raising/fund-raising event for GLSEN/DC will be sponsored by SLYDE. Friday, October 24, from 5:00-9:00pm at Trumpets, 1603 17th Street NW, Washington, DC. (202)232-4141.
A Gay/Lesbian History Month Living Timeline will be hosted by GLAAD at the Washington Historical Society on Wednesday, October 29. Former GLSEN/DC Co-Chair Kathryn Hamm will be among twenty distinguished panelists.
GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings joined eleven other leaders of the Lesbian and Gay community in an open agenda, ninety-minute private meeting with President Clinton in the White House on July 22. Participants were given the opportunity to air their concerns and needs in a frank, open discussion with the President. This was the first meeting between the President and Lesbian and Gay community leaders in this format since 1993.
GLSEN Baltimore will hold a formation discussion meeting at Roland Park Country School on Wednesday, December 3. Call the GLSEN/DC voicemail for more info: (202)293-3358.
GLSEN has launched a Student Pride Program to support high school activists. The youth run group will provide support and resources to established LGBT clubs, support groups, and gay/straight alliances in high schools as well as assisting students and communities in their efforts to create such groups. Student Pride plans to compile a directory of student groups that address LGBT concerns, and using a Web site, Electronic list, and a newsletter, distribute information and resources to the groups. The mission of Student Pride is to foster communication and support among youth working to change their schools. For information, contact Student Pride c/o GLSEN, 121 West 27th Street, Suite 804, New York, New York 10001; telephone (212)727-0135; email: glstnpusa@aol.com.
GLSEN/DC has an email list! To subscribe or post information, send a message to GLSENMarth@aol.com. New development: Thanks to your support, GLSEN/DC now has a voice mail line! Call (202)293-3358 to hear Co-Chair Jerry Turner's dulcet tones.
GLSEN/NYMetro presents the 1997 Mid-Atlantic Conference: "From Dirt Roads to Cyberspace: Gay Issues in Education for the 21st Century." The conference will be held at Grace Church School, on October 25, 1997. Also featured: a conversation with Martina Navratilova; panel discussion; "Looking to the Future;" and many workshops dealing with LGBT youth, legal issues, and families. Contact GLSEN/NYMetro at PO Box 551, Cathedral Station, New York, New York 10025.
GLSEN/DC in the news: Co-Chair Martha Pritchard was interviewed in the September 18 edition of M/W. If you missed the article titled "The Ins and Outs of GLSEN," please contact us for a photocopy.
GLSEN/DC Steering Committee meetings will be held on the following Mondays: 11/3, 12/2, 1/5, 2/2, 3/2, 4/6, 5/4, and 6/6. All are welcome. Please RSVP to our voicemail: (202)293-3358.
Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington, DC, has an exciting season of upcoming events: "No More Rent," an evening of song with a Dessert Reception presented on Saturday, October 18, at 8pm at St James Episcopal Church (to benefit the LGCW's piano fund); "Neighborhood Yearbook: Portraits in Song," a concert to benefit the music programs of Hine Junior High School, on Saturday, November 15, at St James Episcopal Church; and "Mythical Lives," a concert featuring Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Unicorn, Gorgon and the Manticore" at the Cecile Goldman Theatre in the DC Jewish Community Center on Friday and Saturday, January 23-24, at 8pm. Call (202)546-1549 for ticket information.
Million Woman March. Saturday, October 25, 1997, Philadelphia, PA -- Benjamin Franklin Parkway. "Come together for a spiritual reunion of women of African descent to uplift ourselves, re-affirm our sisterhood, organize ourselves and empower our communities." For info in the DC area, contact Sisters Organizing Sisters, 808 4th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002; or call (202)544-1304.
"Most of our so-called reasoning consists of finding arguments for going on believing as we already do." -- James Harvey Robinson.
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