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August 27, 2003
Dear Mr. Quigley,
Please know that this district does not discriminate against any student. That includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students.
Sincerely,
Bob Moore,
Superintendent,
Oklahoma City Public Schools
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Oklahoma City Public Schools

Oklahoma State Department of Education

ACLU of Oklahoma

ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union

Human Rights Campaign

PFLAG: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

GLSEN: Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network

Lambda Legal

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The following is an email from Joe Quigley.
(Posted 9-19-03)

(9-19-03) Whether or not the district or NWClassen did the right thing for GLBT students for the right reasons, or did the right thing for the wrong reasons was not a concern. Doing it was.
Although one has to wonder why after these years of being utterly opposed to GLBT matters, always having a justification for removing posters, finding ways to deny permission under Paragraph J for even a Diversity Week display, there was this sudden rush to have someone who said Gay Students don't exist, and relies on the connotations in the phrase "adult entertainment district" which to most people brings up images of the old Times Square and 42 Street organize both the annually refused GLBT History Month display and the GSA.
It would appear that perhaps all those objections in the past that denied GLBT kids information and may have made some of their high school experiences less pleasant than they should have been were not necessarily valid or even sincere. They were just arguments to prevent,perhaps.
But Dr. Miller has chosen to let the kids put up a display in the one designated area, none being allowed in classrooms by teachers ( a practice I assume will be consistent with all other months, clubs and teachers). So, regardless of why it is being done, it is being done.
Dr.Miller will also remain the sponsor of the GSA . Perhaps once she gets to know these kids, and learns a little more about them, she will adjust her opinions of things GLBT. Clubs like GSA's are supposed to be learning experiences. Perhaps as the students get information, Dr.Miller will get educated too, and among other things she will soften her rhetoric about things GLBT.
The goal was to have these two things, and get the non-discrimination policy clarified. We have done that.
Perhaps, the district will see the need to have inservices for teachers
. Since NWClassen now allows a Gay History Month display and a GSA, it will be easier for students in other schools.They have the policy clarification and now a precident setting school.
But, of course, laurel resting is not an option, and it will be necessary to make sure that students in the GSA get helpful, positive, self affirming information and be exposed to positive role models they need.
Joe Quigley

 

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