Previously, I posted about a student group in G-Town who is interested in starting a Gay/Straight Alliance. At that time, I had a lot of questions and I was looking for some clarity in my own thinking. Blogging about it brought several comments, and G-Town Readers helped me process the whole thing.
Our students interested in starting the Gay/Straight Alliance met again today and I would guess there were about 30 students present, along with three adults. They were a great group of kids, positive in nature–the kind of kids you want to be around on a regular basis.
We are proceeding as we would with any other new group. The kids have two options. One, they can petition the board to be a school club just like Student Council, NHS, or the Spanish Club. Along with that option will come school rules, rights and responsibilities. Two, they can use the school under open access and meet without becoming a GHS Club. This option only affords them the use of the building for their meetings, nothing more. It’s really up to the students to determine their purpose and identify what will help them get there.
Me? I’ll support the kids either way. It’s just not a question of understanding for me any more. It’s something our students are showing up for and we’ll see how committed they are. I already admire the way they are supporting one another and moving forward. I can approach it just like any other endeavor our students are involved in, due largely to the on-line conversations here that helped me process the whole thing. We can even conclude that this blog and the connections made here, made me a better principal on this one. Thanks to the G-Town readers who took the time to comment.
Teaching tolerence is definitely part of our job in schools. What better way than to take the cue from your students and create an accepting culture. My son, now 27, came out in high school – as a matter of fact, a neighboring school to yours. He had to endure death threats and taunting from his peers, and his (at that time) 7th grade sister also endured physical and verbal harrassment. The lack of understanding and tolerance from their fellow students AND many of the teachers and administrators of their school would have been far easier had a GSA been possible at that time. Another very good resourse for you is GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straigth Education Network). There are presently over 3000 chapters. The generation of kids in high school now (termed “Millennials,” born 1981-2002) have fewer gender and ethnicity barriers and are more tolerant and open-minded than past generations (USA Today, June 29, 2006). It is evident that the students in your school have identified the need for a more tolerant and accepting environment – I hope they follow through and become a model that other schools in our area might emulate.