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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 4, 2000)
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The agency also says 30 percent of all bisexuality in public schixds— including com munity colleges—“in a manner which encour suicides can he attributed to issues surrounding sexual orientation. ages, promotes or sanctions such behaviors.” It The Oregon Health Division reports suicide likely would ban HIV and AIDS health lessons, was the second-leading cause of death among censor sex education, prohibit counseling and 10- to 19-year-old Oregonians between 1994 referral for gay youths, remove library books and 1996. It also reports youths who had no caring adults to talk to were three times more likely to attempt suicide. For some students, school is where they hope to find that sup port. Smith, a middle school teacher in the Beaverton Sch(X)l District, says all indicators of suc cess go up when students have connections with staff members. He says when kids feel safe and connected with someone, they have better attitudes, attendance and performance. The OCA’s act, Smith says, would make it impossible for staff to connect with students Here we go again: Campaign signs like this one from 1992 at a crucial time in their lives. will be popping up all over town in the coming months Some opponents say the law would make the situation even around the state and prevent teachers from worse for children who need help dealing with identifying themselves as sexual minorities. being gay— or even those who are perceived to Basic Rights Oregon estimates its statewide he gay but aren’t. The measure would he had for effort to defeat the measure will cost more than schools and all kids because a message of intol $1 million. erance couldn’t be avoided, they say. Others Although BRO will be at the helm of the indicate the environment is already bad for effort, others also are busy getting organized and many children because of a lack of information. even raising money. The Oregon chapter of the GLSEN says 75 percent of teachers in this Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network is country never have received training about the one such group. needs of sexual minority youths. Not only that, It is the largest national organization that the network reports more than one-third of the works to bring together gay and straight teachers, gay students surveyed hear homophobic com parents, youths and concerned citizens from all ments from school personnel. walks of life. The groups main mission is to ensure Despite the sobering statistics, not everyone students and staff in every school are valued and is completely upset. At respected regardless of their sexual orientation. least one Oregonian is GLSEN-Oregon co-chair Larry Smith says feeling great after clear his organization already has played ing the first hurdle host to the first of what he toward victory. hopes will be many It is a race Mahon house parties—small has been running in gatherings of con Oregon since 1992, cerned citizens in a when he first pit private home with the ted the Christian purpose of educating right against the voters and raising money. gay community The gathering, attended and its support by almost 50 people, raised ers. “We are elated,” more than $200 and con he said in the press release. vinced several volunteers to This time, though, Mahon is trying some step forward. thing different: O n the OCA’s Internet site, he Although Smith is con encourages every Oregonian on both sides of the cerned about the ramifications the act's passage issue to show respect and courtesy. “We can dis could bring to schools, he now sees the cam agree sharply, even passionately, but all within paign as an opportunity as well. He says it can the hounds of human kindness," Mahon said. he used to help the public understand what gay- students go through and the far-reaching effects I To become a member, to volunteer or discrimination has on everyone. to make a donation, contact GLSEN-OREGON at Smith and others say sexual minority youths (503) 973-8489; P.O. Box 20565, Portland, OR are hurting. The Student Protection Act, they 97294-0565; or glseno>r@aol. com. say, would make an already hostile environment Contact B a s ic R ig h t s O reg on at even worse. (503) 232-7176; P.O. Box 40625, Portland, OR More than 90 percent of sexual minority 97240; or wwvv.basicrights.org. youths regularly hear anti-gay comments at school. One Iowa study estimated students hear JONATHAN K ipp is a Just O u t staff reporter who an anti-gay slur 25 times daily. can be reached at jkipp@teleport.com. Unique garden gifts and one-of-a-kind art 2707 SE Belmont St Portland. 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