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The following are emails from Joe Quigley
(Posted 9-3-03)

(9-2-03) Here is an example of why we need inservices for teachers when it comes to Gay,Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Students.
Today being the first day of school for students some came dressed according to the dress code, others came in various modifications of the dress code from minor to limit pushing.
In the melding of gansta with hip hop some of the fine lines of gangster colors have been fuzzied, so it is not uncommon, and not necessarily gang related, for a student to match do-rag, shirt and shoelaces.
Of course the usual colors are known to most faculty and staff so flags go up when red, blue or other traditional gang colors show up in combination. It is when other colors are coordinated that teachers get a little uncertain.
Today a student came to school with a pink theme. Now, noting that hip-hop and rap artists are beginning to turn to colors that used to have connotations and were avoided according to your self image, it stands to reason that students would push color barriers and traditions. For 50Cent to wear pink, black, gold or even peuce would depend on the outfit, the occasion and the final effect.The concern was gang clothing because of the careful coordination. And that should have been the end of it.
However, at the faculty meeting when the principal was cautioning us to be aware of deliberate attempts to flaunt the dress code, or for accidental and absentminded offenses, he mentioned the Goth look and the boy in pink.
Usually if someone makes a "gay" joke, there is eye contact,or at least an attempt to be seen by me and the body language that it was a joke, or at least an attempt at one. Regardless, whether the joke is tasteful or lame, it seems the faculty wants me to know it was a joke,and by "including" me in it, it is not supposed to be hurtful or derogatory. They usually tend toward the apologetic joke. Most such jokes are a way of ribbing me and are good naturedly offered. If it is offensive, I let them know in a way that does not embarrass them, and affords me a chance for some education. But I am, somehow, a part of the joke.
In this case, however, when the principal mused out loud what this pink coordination could represent, what gang or group, someone called out, "GAY!" without the usual eye contact or body language.
Whether or not the student is Gay is irrelevant. Someone publicly voiced the stereotype based conclusion, or yelled out something that was supposed to be universally accepted as funny thereby possibly affecting how this kid is viewed by others. People have already labelled him and will treat him according to the degree of their openmindedness, or may have totally misjudged the student, a misjudgment he will have to deal with.
This was insensitive to that student and may influence those whose classes he attends.
With some sensitivity training this teacher may have not felt so free to invoke a stereotype, and those who heard her would not have accepted this sort of remark. Stereotype based jokes about students should not be so publicly voiced. Or is it okay in the case of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgendered students?
The rumors about the student's outfit eventually evolved into a student dressed in a very long pink fur shirt with dangling pink earrings and pink house shoes when in fact upon seeing the student it turned out he was dressed in a well pressed pair of white shorts, well ironed pink shirt, new white athletic shoes and clean white socks with new pink laces and a pink and white do-rag. He was dressed for summer and very tastefully so.
Would a similar joke based on stereotypes be accepted if it concerned race, color, religion, ethnicity, disability or any of the others to whom the nondiscrimination langauge applies?
Don't think so.
And, Why?
BECUASE TEACHERS HAVE BEEN MADE SENSITIVE TO ALL THE GROUPS OUR STUDENTS BELONG TO EXCEPT THIS ONE.
Something needs to be done.
Joe Quigley
NWClassen

 

 

(9-2-03) I will attempt to be brief, but I have done that before.
A few of us attended the school board meeting of 09/02/03. Originally we had planned to once again ask the discrimination question and make our point. But in light of Dr.Moore's letter of August 27 which stated Gay,Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Students were, indeed, included in the nondiscrimination policies, our reason for being there was altered.
Rev. Tessie Mandville from Cathedral of Hope, was on hand to insist that the district not keep this a secret, but let all employees know of this clarification. She stressed the importance and life-saving influence this would have on GLBT students. It was a joy to have her there.
Bob Nichols was there for moral support as was Karen Parsens and Jim Huff of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and a fellow teacher. Somehow Karen did not receive the copy of Dr. Moore's letter I had sent through email this past weekend, and even with the change of reason for being there, she stayed.
My biggest surprise was Rev. Robin Meirs (I hope I spelled that right. I read every article from the Gazette. you would think I could spell his name) . In empathy for a young person with cancer he had shaved his head which now is the length of Matt Lauer's hair so no one recognized him. When they called his name we were all surprised when he got up and spoke.
Like Rev. Madville, he spoke of the impact on the kids, the need to see this as students, not the debatable topic of "homosexuality", and the necessity of getting the word out to all faculty, staff and parents.
Rev. Meirs showed up, quietly. I am in shock. He came to help, as did Rev. Mandville.
Both emphasized how this clarification could save lives.
I got to speak first.
In summary:
I thanked the super for his letter, pointing out that if the words of his letter had any weight, they far outweighed the 6 1/2 years of documents. It would be great if the letter was not page one of volume 2.
I, too, pointed out that the letter and its impact may save lives and could keep that student on the edge and thinking of dropping out from doing just that.
Our community is gifted. We have resources among us we do not even know we have. And, members of the GLBT community would be there to help the district as this is not an easy principle to deal with. We have people willing to supply the school libraries with relevant books for GLBT student. We can be part of appropriate committees and lend our expertise. As the crazies come out of the woodwork to misrepresent the policy and lie as to its intent, we can help. After all, we have dealt with these crazies for years. And we can become the best friends the district has.
I too pointed out the need to inform all faculty and staff.

After the meeting I approached Dr. Moore. I told him the practiced and nervous speech was over and I could talk from the heart. I thanked him for doing something that, perhaps, he had no idea of the importance of. He assured me principals and faculty would be informed of the policy clarification. I almost cried (my feminine side) when I told him that during the first day of school a young woman came to talk to me and I was able to tell her we old farts had a welcome back to school gift. I let her read Dr.Moore's letter.
WE OLD FARTS ROCK!!!
I got interviewed by KTOK and it seemed to go well. I might end up on the same station that Rush Limbaugh is on, and to make it even sweeter, could also be on drive time on Wednesday.
The message will be out there.
GLBT kids are protected from discrimination.
Knowing how this topic would be perverted by the religious misinterpreters and the politicians who want to scare people into contributing to their campaigns, I began by telling him that we are talking about GLBT students and when the nuts call in to protest the perversion, he needed to remember the perversion is theirs as we are talking about the safety, well being and education of students while they jump right to sex. How perverted is that?
We just have to watch and ensure the word gets out. We have won this far, but we need to make sure the victory is complete. We may all be part of the last generation of GLBT people in Oklahoma City to have had to go through the crap in school. BUT we need to get the young'uns to protect what we have gotten for them.
Things are looking up.
Joe

 

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