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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2003)
26 ruary 7.2QÛ3 C o u ra g e -.>-<■ c la s s ro o m Continued from Page 25 are and talk about it,” she states. “If 1 d o n ’t try to make a change, how can 1 expect others to?” Learning to make change he coalition will he trying a few changes, t<x), when it presents the first of three annual safe schtxtl training workshops later this m ontfyat Lane Community College in Eugene. For example, the training will he set up for 10 teams of four, rather than open to individuals. Although this may reduce the number of commu nities involved, organizers believe that multiple advix;ates within the same community can better sustain their momentum through mutual support. “We’ve seen the difference even between just two people doing work together and someone doing the work by themselves,” Liljeholm says. And, unlike the 2001 session, this year’s i Hit “Research evidence is clear that gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans youth § are at a greater (suicide) I risk than their | heterosexual peers.” — Mon Blood worth workshop is not limited to just adults. “Kids will be doing a lot of the facilitating and presenting in order to nruxJel what we’re hoping to encourage,” notes Franks, citing the effectiveness of youth speaking for themselves and participating in decisions that affect their future. The agenda will include not only material to present to stu dents and faculty hack home, hut also an opportunity to prac tice basic public speaking skills. Teams will identify local resources to support their safe schix)! plans and determine how best to utilize those resources. Finally, teams will learn how to organize lcx:al support groups for Molly Franks believes the coalition will be more effective because queer youth and allies, such as queer youth will be conducting many of the presentations Gay Straight Alliances. jeholm and Franks want to establish an infra Ultimately, however, each team’s approach will be unique. For iastance, some may develop train structure wherein members could share ideas, plan events and learn from each other. ing for teachers, such as effective ways to identify Although still in its formative stage and await and interrupt harassment. ing funding, the network is expected to he Others may work with administrators to launched within three years. implement safe schtxil guidelines, such as anti- Matt H ackett, a gay 17-year-old senior, sup discrimination and anti-bullying policies. Those ports such a networking opportunity. H e’s con with the basics already in place might chtxise to address curriculum areas in which sexual minori cerned about the future of a G SA he helped establish at Beaverton High Schtxil last Sep ties are absent, such as health and history. tember. He and a fellow student found a sup portive teacher and an adm inistration that gave immediate approval, hut with growing class- rixmns and limited resources, the safe schtxd message can he hard to hear among other seri nother aspiration of the coalition is to link together kx:al GSAs and similar types of ous problems. In reality, it’s one of a million issues on a organizations to create a statewide network. Lil Working well with others A Does Your Valentine Deserve M ore This Year? ...CALL ME WHEN YOU’RE READY TO BUY OR SELL DOUG BEEBE ASSOCIATE BROKER 503.471.3479 dougbeebeOcbseal.com C O L D U ie iX BANKER □ BARBARA SUE SEAL PROPERTIES ■ vm W v'i Garden Center Pond Supplies Grow Lights Seed Starting Kits Organic Nutrients 519 SE MAIN Maud, Off mm D ignified pet S ervices Cremation & Memorials For Your Companion • Unique. C-deMOtion UdnS Visit us online at: www.reyreece.com or schedule your appointment 503 - 256-3700 • f / W o ,uQ(!' Jew elny • Pexsonatized Gaskets • Gnanite. Monuments • "Books £ LiteJiatude REY REECE DEALERSHIPS ISUZU-VOLKSWAGEN-USED 8976 SW Tualatin Sherwood Road Tualatin OR 97062 Phone (503) 885-2211 www.DignifledPetServices.com (A Division o f Cascade Funeral Directors. Inc) 122nd & East Burnside www.reyreece.com REPLACEMENT WINDOW SALE! • FREE ESTIMATES • REMODELING • RENTAL TURNOVER • NEW CONSTRUCTION • COMPLETE HANDYMAN SERVICE LbL WINDOWS A DOORS «Hr Handy Hands of Portland Home Remodeling and Repair "Wo job H too vnall" 503 . 226.8293 8371 N. In terstate (on new MAX line) Major credit cards accepted CCB # 151270
