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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 2003)
clear why. ‘Don’t say that’ isn’t enough.” T he network, he points out, would do more than simply help ensure organizational continu ity and longevity. Such an association also would serve as a crucial resource for education on issues, activism and motivation. And a net work of GSAs would provide role models, inspi ration and support for other schools wanting to establish such an organization. Passing the real test ogether, the annual workshop and statewide network will provide the coalition with not only a consistent message, hut one that is tai lored to the individual needs of diverse commu nities across Oregon. "We want to connect people all over the state and within their communities," Franks says, “to increase visibility, provide education and empower young people so that schools throughout Oregon can be safe schools for everybody.” J H T For more information about the O regon S afe S chools and C ommunities C oalition According to Joyce Liljeholm, multiple advocates within the same community can better sustain their momentum through mutual support visit the Internet site www. oregonsafeschools. org or call Joyce Liljeholm at teacher’s plate, Hackett says. "They see it as run- of-the-mill harassment and teasing. It’s hard to ask them to make it a top priority, hut we need to work with them to develop strategies to deal with it. Some make it clear that you can’t he dis respected, and that becomes low effort once established. But teachers also need to make it or Molly Franks at Equity funds safe school initiative R esp ite significant progress in recent years, U schools continue to ignore or promote homophobia, which leads to harassment and violence,” states program material from the Safe Schools Initiative of Equity Foundation. "The challenge is to help school administrators and teachers understand that the problem is real and that there are effective ways to address it.” Two years ago, Equity executive director Matthew Nelson launched a special research and grant program to do just that. He assembled a team of community leaders to investigate what was being done around the country to make school environ ments safer for queer and questioning kids. They sought examples of documented, research-based programs to promote in Oregon. Hard data, however, were rare, and most exist ing anti-bullying curricula did not specifically address issues of harassment based on sexual ori entation or gender identity. “We were frustrated,” Nelson recalls, “but we took what we found and put together a request for proposals based on best indicators for success.” Several criteria were evident, including the involvement of youth, past experi ence working with schools and the ability to lever age other resources from throughout a community. O f the 17 proposals received from around the state, the foundation last fall awarded four grants, each renewable for two subsequent years. In addition to the Oregon Safe Schools and Communities Coalition, they include: • Community Alliance of Lane County: $5,000 to raise awareness of hum an rights, mobilize response when abuses of dignity occur and hold public institutions accountable, espe cially working with the Springfield schools. • James Madison High School (Portland): $7,538 to develop a curriculum about hate and nonviolence and to create a Gay Straight Alliance to forge bonds among diverse groups and further promote students’ self-esteem. • Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Salem Chapter: $3,000 to promote a safe educational environm ent in the Salem- Keizer area through staff training regarding sex ual minority issues, making resources and mate rials available and creating GSAs. Nelson says grant recipients will present the results of their programs in a public forum this fall. “Our hope is that we will prod die schools to say that it is OK to talk about gay and lesbian issues.” JT1 For further details contact EQUITY FOUNDATION at 503-231-5759 or www.ecjuityfoundadon.org. 503 - 232 - 4556 T h e challenge is to help school administrators and teachers understand that the problem is real and that there are effective w ays to address it" 503 - 260 - 5792 . T imothy K rause is a Portland free-lance writer. \ _________________________ — Matthew Nelson relish Modern O b jects fo r Home Et L ife . #1 Volume Subaru Dealer in Oregon! Even more choices to love... M I O P I M IG FEBI 2 IH m lOCATIDN. 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