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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 1997)
12 T feb ru ary 7 , 1 9 9 7 ▼ ju st o u i local news Wish list t is, unfortunately, déjà vu all over again. Findings of the newly released Metro politan Human Rights Commission’s “Re port on Sexual Minority Youth” mirror MHRC has heard the pain and frustration of queer youth — those found in other state and national reports focusing on queer youth. In a nutshell, it but can anything concrete be done to help? found that gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans youth ▼ often experience harassment, violence and dis crimination in their schools, homes, churches, by Inga Sorensen employment and in the provision of social ser vices. “Oregon’s Sexual Minority Youth: An At-Risk He says, “I felt like Moses when I walked “I don’t think any of us thought ‘Wow, I Population.” through the halls—everyone parted and cleared a didn’t know that sexual minority youth faced The bulk of the MHRC document contains the path.” Both parents went to administrators, who this stu ff,’ ” says MHRC member Nyla accounts shared by young people. still failed to act. One counselor was supportive McCarthy, who is a lesbian. “I think what makes “During the course of the project it became but had no power to do anything. The boy’s our report different, however, is that the infor evident that the young people were living with a attendance declined and he finally transferred to mation is derived from the youth themselves. great deal of fear—fear for their personal safety an alternative school. This was a youth-centered project.” and fear of disclosure resulting in loss of friends, • An African American lesbian had “lesbian MHRC created a task force designed to ad family and jobs,” says the report. nigger” written qn her locker. The school had the dress the needs of sexual minority youth follow Because of that fear, the commission chose locker cleaned but failed to address the harass ing a Sept. 10 commission meeting where Lanny Swerdlow, owner of the long em battled (and now defunct) City Nightclub, claimed that Portland police and city and county officials were harassing and “illegally discriminating” against him and his club. At the same time, Mayor Vera Katz, Multnomah County and the Governor’s Task Force on Teen Suicide were seeking informa tion on the status of sexual minority youth. MHRC, which is funded by both the city and Multnomah County, works to embrace the dignity of all people. The commission may, in part, gather information about civil and human rights matters. It does not have the authority to investigate claims of possible civil rights violations, nor does it have en forcement powers. “We’re concerned about the needs of sexual minority youth and want to know what can [be done] to address this issue,” MHRC chair Lowen Berman told Just Out following the September meeting. MHRC voted unanimously to create the task force and during the next several weeks its members met with sexual minority youth from the metropolitan area via youth support groups, homeless shelters and schools. Youths outside the former City Nightclub Additionally, one-on-one interviews were conducted by phone and in person, and adults not to include any names or specify any groups or ment. At the same school a gay male had “fag” with experience dealing with sexual minority schools that were being discussed. written on his locker. Administrators made an youth were invited to offer input. The following are just a few examples of the announcement that “hazing” was not allowed. An estimated 70 youth representing various stories shared by sexual minority youth: The young man, however, views the abuse as racial and economic backgrounds participated. • A young man at a large suburban high school harassment, not “hazing.” MHRC director Helen Cheek and two com was the only out gay student at the school. When he • A young man who came out at 13 is now mission members attended each of the focus group reported verbal harassment, the administration said, homeless because he is no longer accepted at meetings. A commission delegation interviewed “Boys will be boys.” The gay youth suggested to home. young people at The City Nightclub. the administration that a forum be presented for the Some youth cited incidents of mistreatment The report also incorporated recommenda school. The request was denied for fear of a com by medical personnel. One young gay man was tions from an earlier Massachusetts survey en munity backlash. The principal also said it was “so treated in a demeaning manner when he was titled “Making Schools Safe for Gay and Lesbian minute a problem” it didn’t need addressing. hospitalized for mononucleosis. A physician re Youth, Breaking the Silence in Schools and in The student was called “faggot” constantly portedly mocked him and said: “Well, I suppose Families,” and a previous statewide report called and treated “like a freak.” you have AIDS.” I TRAVEL SERVICE 7 TtcfAtX TOeUlua fu\*K r«lVUVft «11« .W. P ia i B A frfrefo. a in ,. CMtfuiet eon., taxe-a and One SW Colum bia Suite 1010 Portland, OR 97258 When it came specifically to trans youth, the need for education was called for repeatedly. “Information on homosexuality is available in some schools, but information on transsexualism is not,” says the report. “ ‘We’re not gay,’ was emphasized.” MHRC reiterated recommendations put forth in the Massachusetts survey. They include estab lishing school policies protecting sexual minority youth from harassment, violence and discrimina tion; staff trainings in crisis intervention and vio lence prevention; creating school-based support groups for sexual minority youth and straight students to foster understanding; and the incorpo ration of sexual minority-related materials in school libraries and curricula. The MHRC report implored state and local governments to pass legislation extending civil rights protections to all sexual minorities, includ ing gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people. It also recommended that the City of Port land and Multnomah County work together with the private sector to provide a safe place for sexual minority youth. Young people suggested the need for a 24- hour safe house, a hot line, an after-school gathering place or community center, and a venue for evening entertainment and/or rec reation. When it comes to the county’s responsi bility to queer youth, Multnomah County Chair Beverly Stein says don’t expect much in the way of tangibles. “Have you heard of Measure 47?” she says, referring to the cut-and-cap property tax initiative approved by voters in November. “That puts everything on hold. We will not be doing anything new.” State Rep. George Eighmey, meanwhile, is crafting a bill this session designed to protect sexual minority youth from harass ment and discrimination in Oregon schools. (He’s asking young people who have experi- < enced abuse in schools due to their sexual 5 orientation to contact him.) Jack Bierwirth, superintendent of Port- o land Public Schools, has directed schools to a complete staff training on issues of particu lar relevance to sexual minority youth by year’s end. According to MHRC’s McCarthy, Bierwirth recently met with members of the sexual minority community and “reiterated his commitment” to making the school system safer and more respon sive to the needs of queer youth. A meeting between district officials and sexual minority parents was also set for early February. To obtain a copy o f the MHRC report, call 823-5136. Sexual minority youth who wish to share stories about school-related harassment are asked to contact Eighmey at 986-/414. (503) 227-3639 1-800-248-0624 FAX (503) 227-0602 from $ 1150 ppdo. Includes RT air, 5 nights Bali Aguna Village Bungalow, transfers, daily breakfast, and sightseeing tour. Singles add on $175. Pick tip Valid until March 31st. David Tarver ju st o u t here! RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY— SUBJECT TO CHANGE Sm art P a ri l/aiidation