Disappointment
Jul. 26th, 2002 01:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
geminigirlAs you may or may not know....I've been anxiously promoting the vote that was supposed to take place by the Fairfax County school board, who were suposed to decide on whether or not to add sexual orientation to their non-discrimination policy. It's important to me, not just as a queer person, but as a person in the world...and so I've been posting about it to various local mailing lists etc.
(I realize some of you may be confused by the use of gender neutral pronouns...sie would be the neutral equivalent of he or she, hir or zir is possessive-the equivalent of his or hers)
Here's the latest news...followed by some other notes and impressions of mine. I've also included a few notes about what each of the speakers said. Nothing is verbatim, everything is summarized...I can only write so fast and I don't own a laptop. Skip to the end if you want only my thoughts on the meeting.
First of all...the only group with a large presence outside the building were some anti-inclusion people. I'm not sure what grop they were actually affiliated with, but I believe it might be CWA. (Concerned Women For America)
The news:
The Chairman spoke, and anounced that there would be no vote tonight on the policy. The board consulted with legal council and decided that it would be prudent to seek the advice of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth, which must be done by a Delegate or by the County Attorney. The Fairfax School Board isn't sure that they have the authority to adopt this policy change and the board must further consider their options.
Mr. Frye (who spoke most vocally, and who I believe sponsored the proposed change) spoke. He made the point that the decision to postpone the vote was not made by the board but was made by the chairman. Mr. Frye mentioned that he recieved more than 500 e-mails from the public regarding this matter. The point was also made, that adding sexual orientation
would not change curriculum or instruction, nor change the interaction between faculty and students. He discussed Thomas Jefferson, and "All men are created equal"
A second board member spoke, and apologized for not being able to adress the issue, and that it will be addressed when they hear back from the A.G.
A third board member spoke, and talked about how all must embrace the idea of "created equal" but also mentioned that based on information the board had collected, only one staff person has ever filed a complaint relating to sexual orientation. Accordingly, this means the current policy is
being used ineffectively and rather than adding words, and the goal should be to enforce the current policy.
A fourth board member spoke, and explained what is being sent to the A.G., which is the current policy, including additions and strikeouts. Sie expressed concern about what was removed. Sie also said that the curriculum should foster the goals of respect for all. In service education for staff, and curriciual should also not promote homosexuality.
The chair then spoke again, and talked about teaching children compassion for the rights of others, and the futility of passing a policy that may not stand up to a court challenge.
The Pledge of Allegance was said at this meeting. It's worth noting that one group spoke up very loudly at the phrase "under god" and another group spoke up equally loudly at the phrase "And justice for all."
Some of the signs provided by the anti-inclusionists:
"Protect Childre without promoting homosexuality"
"Fairfax libraries have a 'pro-homosexual' agenda"
"We'll remember next November"
A summary of each of the speakers:
(Note, I've removed identifying information, though this is all public record, it's not my business to publish it)
1. During the last school year speaker #1 was teaching several classes in a Fairfax Middle School. Hir classroom policy included zero tolerance for damaging or disparaging remarks, including sexual orientation. One of hir
classes decided that sie was gay. They wrote a variety of slurs and made reference to sexual acts. Hir personal stuff was defaced, and sie was told by a student that "God loves everyone but fags." Sie felt the administration was unresponsive, after appropriate disciplinary channels
had been contacted. Sie said no one should function in that environment and the Board needs a clearly defined and enforced policy to ensure this doesn't happen.
2. Speaker #2 was a gay person, who is comiited to this issue. Sie has a friend who is a teacher and also a lesbian. Hir friend feared losing her job, so she didn't attend the meeting. Speaker #2's comments: many people know at a young age that they're gay, it's a trait that isn't changing. Sie discussed the high suidicde rate among gay adolescents, and
the challenges of adolescent life. Sie said that facing adolescent pressures is difficult enough without having to make the decision to live honestly in fear or to live a lie in safety. Sie said that the board needs to ensure fairness for all students and employees...the policy must protect all, not some, and it must be apromise that people will not be treated differently and will be protected from discrimination.
3. Speaker #3 is a member of the Human Rights Commission in Fairfax, who have passed a non-discrimination clause. Their work was sent to Richmond and will continue to be, until it is addressed. Speaker #4 talked about historical perspectives-Irish people, Jewish people, African-American people, and how they were all discriminated against, and that it took work
from all around to get it to abate. Sie talked about the dangers of good people not getting involved, and about the harm done in not remembering the damage that's beend one by discrimination in our past.
4. Sie is the parent of a gay child who says that sie doesn't have to approve of hir son's lifestyle but can still love him unconditionally. Sie was disappointed that she only recieved three responses to her letters to theboard. Sie believes tht it's important to have nondiscrimination for all and not special rights for some. It doesn't matter who someone
sleeps with. Sie wonders where is the tolerance for ex-gays, when thousands of therapists have said that people can and do change, and that the literature in the libraries and schools ignores the medical and scientific facts that people can and do change. Sie said that no one is born gay, and that the causes of homosexuality are environmental, and that any policies in place must assure that there is equal time and access given to the ex-gays.
5. Speaker #5 was an ex-gay. Sie believed that homosexuality was influenced by a broken relationship with hir same gender parent, and that sie sought to have those nurturing needs met by someone, that it was a mistake to connect the need for nurturing same-gender relationship with sexual identity. Sie believes that including sexual orientation in the nondiscrimination policy opens doors to vulnerable students who will be influenced by teachers, and that it's important to protect young people from the deception of homosexuality and its influences.
6. Speaker 6 is the spouse of a Fairfax county teacher, had a son who graduated from Fairfax schools an was formerly in the military. Sie believes that the current policy protects some and not all. The conduct of the person should be questioned, not the orientation. Should it be anymore worrisome that a son might be harassed by a gay teacher rather
than a daugther by a heterosexual one? Schools are no place for discrimination.
7. Speaker seven is a parent of a Fairfax County student. Sie said that no student should be harassed, and that homosexuality is not a minority issue but a behavior issue. No one should be harassed or discriminated against, and students should be taught not to discriminate against others,
but, that there are issues associated with addressing sexual orientation, including the fact that homosexuals experience very high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, that the average homosexual male sleeps with more than 100 other men a year, swallows the semen of more than 50 of them and ingests the fecal matter of 23 of them. Sie talked about homosexuality as a dangerous public health issue.
8. Speaker 8 talked about discrimination against children with autism. Sie is dissatisfied with the therapies and services and interventions being provided to these children.
9. Speaker 9 is the parent of a Fairfax County graduate. Sie supports the policy addition because it's estimated that one in four families will have a gay member, that gay children often suffer damaging discrimination from the family, school and society, and because pride is our greatest gift. As a business owner, sie recognizes that a business climate open
to everyone benefits all of us. Children who are different should not feel bad or sinful. THe Fairfax schools are high quality and should continue to maintain that level of quality.
10. Speaker 10 is the parent of Fairfax students. Sie wants to be able to teach hir children to make healthy choices, that sie deems morally right as well. No one should be discriminated against, according to this speaker, but everyone should be covered by the existing policy. Sie is concerned that if sexual orientation is included, students will not be
taught of the dangers of homosexual behavior. Sie worries that if sexual orientation is included, schools will then begin to employ pedophiles just because "it's their orientation." Sie believes that accepting the new
wording would be dangerous and promote a homosexual lifestyle.
Now for my impression:
There seemed to be about an equal number of for and against voices present, based on the signs held up.
I think it's still important to remind the board that this is an important issue for Fairfax county, even while they wait on a response from Richmond. From what I saw tonight, there is some uncertainty about whether among board members as to whether or not this is a good policy to pass, even if Richmond grants its approval.
I had a chance to speak to WTOP radio...I told them that I was there because:
Without protections in writing, there is no ground to stand on,
without training for staff and other professionals there is often a lack of awareness, of repercussions and of the impact homophobia can have on people
whether a student is gay or percived to be gay, the impact of name calling and actions from other members of the student community, combined with a demonstrated inaction by teachers can have a startling and long term effect on the development and self-esteem of a young person.
_______________________________________________________________
So I'm disappointed, but there's so much more work to do. I'm not done...
(I realize some of you may be confused by the use of gender neutral pronouns...sie would be the neutral equivalent of he or she, hir or zir is possessive-the equivalent of his or hers)
Here's the latest news...followed by some other notes and impressions of mine. I've also included a few notes about what each of the speakers said. Nothing is verbatim, everything is summarized...I can only write so fast and I don't own a laptop. Skip to the end if you want only my thoughts on the meeting.
First of all...the only group with a large presence outside the building were some anti-inclusion people. I'm not sure what grop they were actually affiliated with, but I believe it might be CWA. (Concerned Women For America)
The news:
The Chairman spoke, and anounced that there would be no vote tonight on the policy. The board consulted with legal council and decided that it would be prudent to seek the advice of the Attorney General for the Commonwealth, which must be done by a Delegate or by the County Attorney. The Fairfax School Board isn't sure that they have the authority to adopt this policy change and the board must further consider their options.
Mr. Frye (who spoke most vocally, and who I believe sponsored the proposed change) spoke. He made the point that the decision to postpone the vote was not made by the board but was made by the chairman. Mr. Frye mentioned that he recieved more than 500 e-mails from the public regarding this matter. The point was also made, that adding sexual orientation
would not change curriculum or instruction, nor change the interaction between faculty and students. He discussed Thomas Jefferson, and "All men are created equal"
A second board member spoke, and apologized for not being able to adress the issue, and that it will be addressed when they hear back from the A.G.
A third board member spoke, and talked about how all must embrace the idea of "created equal" but also mentioned that based on information the board had collected, only one staff person has ever filed a complaint relating to sexual orientation. Accordingly, this means the current policy is
being used ineffectively and rather than adding words, and the goal should be to enforce the current policy.
A fourth board member spoke, and explained what is being sent to the A.G., which is the current policy, including additions and strikeouts. Sie expressed concern about what was removed. Sie also said that the curriculum should foster the goals of respect for all. In service education for staff, and curriciual should also not promote homosexuality.
The chair then spoke again, and talked about teaching children compassion for the rights of others, and the futility of passing a policy that may not stand up to a court challenge.
The Pledge of Allegance was said at this meeting. It's worth noting that one group spoke up very loudly at the phrase "under god" and another group spoke up equally loudly at the phrase "And justice for all."
Some of the signs provided by the anti-inclusionists:
"Protect Childre without promoting homosexuality"
"Fairfax libraries have a 'pro-homosexual' agenda"
"We'll remember next November"
A summary of each of the speakers:
(Note, I've removed identifying information, though this is all public record, it's not my business to publish it)
1. During the last school year speaker #1 was teaching several classes in a Fairfax Middle School. Hir classroom policy included zero tolerance for damaging or disparaging remarks, including sexual orientation. One of hir
classes decided that sie was gay. They wrote a variety of slurs and made reference to sexual acts. Hir personal stuff was defaced, and sie was told by a student that "God loves everyone but fags." Sie felt the administration was unresponsive, after appropriate disciplinary channels
had been contacted. Sie said no one should function in that environment and the Board needs a clearly defined and enforced policy to ensure this doesn't happen.
2. Speaker #2 was a gay person, who is comiited to this issue. Sie has a friend who is a teacher and also a lesbian. Hir friend feared losing her job, so she didn't attend the meeting. Speaker #2's comments: many people know at a young age that they're gay, it's a trait that isn't changing. Sie discussed the high suidicde rate among gay adolescents, and
the challenges of adolescent life. Sie said that facing adolescent pressures is difficult enough without having to make the decision to live honestly in fear or to live a lie in safety. Sie said that the board needs to ensure fairness for all students and employees...the policy must protect all, not some, and it must be apromise that people will not be treated differently and will be protected from discrimination.
3. Speaker #3 is a member of the Human Rights Commission in Fairfax, who have passed a non-discrimination clause. Their work was sent to Richmond and will continue to be, until it is addressed. Speaker #4 talked about historical perspectives-Irish people, Jewish people, African-American people, and how they were all discriminated against, and that it took work
from all around to get it to abate. Sie talked about the dangers of good people not getting involved, and about the harm done in not remembering the damage that's beend one by discrimination in our past.
4. Sie is the parent of a gay child who says that sie doesn't have to approve of hir son's lifestyle but can still love him unconditionally. Sie was disappointed that she only recieved three responses to her letters to theboard. Sie believes tht it's important to have nondiscrimination for all and not special rights for some. It doesn't matter who someone
sleeps with. Sie wonders where is the tolerance for ex-gays, when thousands of therapists have said that people can and do change, and that the literature in the libraries and schools ignores the medical and scientific facts that people can and do change. Sie said that no one is born gay, and that the causes of homosexuality are environmental, and that any policies in place must assure that there is equal time and access given to the ex-gays.
5. Speaker #5 was an ex-gay. Sie believed that homosexuality was influenced by a broken relationship with hir same gender parent, and that sie sought to have those nurturing needs met by someone, that it was a mistake to connect the need for nurturing same-gender relationship with sexual identity. Sie believes that including sexual orientation in the nondiscrimination policy opens doors to vulnerable students who will be influenced by teachers, and that it's important to protect young people from the deception of homosexuality and its influences.
6. Speaker 6 is the spouse of a Fairfax county teacher, had a son who graduated from Fairfax schools an was formerly in the military. Sie believes that the current policy protects some and not all. The conduct of the person should be questioned, not the orientation. Should it be anymore worrisome that a son might be harassed by a gay teacher rather
than a daugther by a heterosexual one? Schools are no place for discrimination.
7. Speaker seven is a parent of a Fairfax County student. Sie said that no student should be harassed, and that homosexuality is not a minority issue but a behavior issue. No one should be harassed or discriminated against, and students should be taught not to discriminate against others,
but, that there are issues associated with addressing sexual orientation, including the fact that homosexuals experience very high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, that the average homosexual male sleeps with more than 100 other men a year, swallows the semen of more than 50 of them and ingests the fecal matter of 23 of them. Sie talked about homosexuality as a dangerous public health issue.
8. Speaker 8 talked about discrimination against children with autism. Sie is dissatisfied with the therapies and services and interventions being provided to these children.
9. Speaker 9 is the parent of a Fairfax County graduate. Sie supports the policy addition because it's estimated that one in four families will have a gay member, that gay children often suffer damaging discrimination from the family, school and society, and because pride is our greatest gift. As a business owner, sie recognizes that a business climate open
to everyone benefits all of us. Children who are different should not feel bad or sinful. THe Fairfax schools are high quality and should continue to maintain that level of quality.
10. Speaker 10 is the parent of Fairfax students. Sie wants to be able to teach hir children to make healthy choices, that sie deems morally right as well. No one should be discriminated against, according to this speaker, but everyone should be covered by the existing policy. Sie is concerned that if sexual orientation is included, students will not be
taught of the dangers of homosexual behavior. Sie worries that if sexual orientation is included, schools will then begin to employ pedophiles just because "it's their orientation." Sie believes that accepting the new
wording would be dangerous and promote a homosexual lifestyle.
Now for my impression:
There seemed to be about an equal number of for and against voices present, based on the signs held up.
I think it's still important to remind the board that this is an important issue for Fairfax county, even while they wait on a response from Richmond. From what I saw tonight, there is some uncertainty about whether among board members as to whether or not this is a good policy to pass, even if Richmond grants its approval.
I had a chance to speak to WTOP radio...I told them that I was there because:
Without protections in writing, there is no ground to stand on,
without training for staff and other professionals there is often a lack of awareness, of repercussions and of the impact homophobia can have on people
whether a student is gay or percived to be gay, the impact of name calling and actions from other members of the student community, combined with a demonstrated inaction by teachers can have a startling and long term effect on the development and self-esteem of a young person.
_______________________________________________________________
So I'm disappointed, but there's so much more work to do. I'm not done...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Keep fighting the good fight.
Date: 2002-07-26 07:35 am (UTC)Fairfax libraries have a 'pro-homosexual' agenda
My nesting partner
I hope the county changes but there are so many "die hards" that live there that at points I felt uncomfortable.
Anywho, keep up the good fight. Thinking the button should read "Fairfax County is for everyone" wonders how that would fly.
Re: Keep fighting the good fight.
Date: 2002-07-26 07:52 am (UTC)I know Kingstowne-drove past the Coast Guard Station over there yesterday too...I sometimes go over to the Giant there...plus the vet who was recommended to me (whose services I haven't needed yet) is on Telegraph Rd, in that area. I actually live not too far north of Ft. Belvoir.
Fairfax is quite conservative...but I look at the work I do, and I realize that Price William and Loudoun are even more challenging in some ways. It makes me miss New York sometimes, the politics down here.
I'm still kicking though.
no subject
Date: 2002-07-27 08:55 am (UTC)Just found your journal. Is it okay that I add you?
no subject
Date: 2002-07-27 09:06 am (UTC)And thanks for your support; challenging the system is, well...exhausting.
Re:
Date: 2002-07-27 09:14 am (UTC)Okay, on to your ramblings...feel free to check me out too.