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		Davis to Quigley: "No Gay and Lesbian History Month at NW Classen" xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The following is an e-mail from Joe Quigley, sent yesterday (9-26)
(Posted 9-27-01)

It would be nice if Ms. Garrett and Dr. Weitzel paid a little more attention
to the bigotry of Principal Davis. As you will see the man not only dismisses
Gay and Lesbian Students' needs out of hand, but he is in noncompliance with
what the district agreed it would do when it resolved case #06001240 with the
Office of Civil Rights.
     After receiving the original dodge of Davis's saying he would go to the
Chair of the Social Studies Department, obviuosly to be able to say, "gee, I
tried to do something, but the Chair said no," (imagine setting up one of
your chairs to deflect responsibility?), I wrote the letter I sent you
yesterday.
   He replied,
"I am denying your request to use your classroom to set up a Gay and Lesbian
History Month display.
   As far as Gay and Lesbian Students being included in all things related to
any other students, I am not aware of any such exclusion from school
activities."

I put the original letter on his desk at about 7:20 am, and received the
above reply by 11:15 am when I went to lunch. When he put it there I do not
know, but
unless he had nothing to do all morning, I doubt he had time to consult all
the documents I referenced.

I responded:

   " I have received your denial of my request for a Gay and Lesbian History
Month display in my classroom.
     However, as I have attempted to point out in many of our meetings, there
is, indeed, a subtle and tacit form of exclusion that exists, but it is not
obvious to those in the majority who take exclusionary actions as the norm
applicable to all.
     Homecoming which basically chooses an ideal couple promotes the
heterosexual model to the exclusion of all others. Students are asked to
choose a male and female for nomination, rather than being asked to nominate
a person, or persons.
     For a Gay or Lesbian Student to participate in this activity beyond
voting, a Gay or Lesbian Student must pretend they are something they are not
much the same way as African-Americans light enough to do so would have to
try to "pass" in a less enlightened time in order to participate fully, and
enjoy all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the majority white population.
     The above also goes for Prom Royalty, as well as Valentine Best Couple.
     While Black History Month displays are allowed in any classroom,
Christmas songs are sung in the majority at the Winter Assembly, and the
whole school celebrates Cinco de Mayo, among other events, an educational
opportunity like Gay and Lesbian History Month is denied without explanation,
or apparent educational reason as if Gay and Lesbian Students do not deserve
positive information about themselves, people with whom they can identify and
be inspired by, and which could help them with self-esteem
     This is the very evidence of exclusion.
I am, therefore, asking that you reconsider your denial."

I placed this in his mailbox and was there when he picked it up. No more than
5 minutes later He replied.
     " thank you for the information. Your request to post displays for Gay
and Lesbian History Month in you classroom is denied."

Again, a swift answer, lacking any reason for the decision.
HOW DISMISSIVE.
HE OBVIUOSLY HAS NO INTENTION OF LEARNING AND GROWING.
HE HAS NO INTENTION OF GIVING, AT THE LEAST, SOME RESPECTFUL TIME FOR
CONSIDERATION.
ITS FOR GAY AND LESBIAN STUDENTS, SO BUG OFF.

So, as it is there will be no ackmowledgement of Gay and Lesbian History
month at NWClassen beyound my announcing it, and wearing clothes festooned,
tastefully of course, with a rainbow motif. He may send me home to change a
shirt or a belt. That would not suprise me. Nor will it suprise me if he is
allowed to continue this bigotry.
Nothing has been done fo far!!.

I spoke with the Office of Civil Rights, reviewed the agreement of November
2000, and shared with them all his actions on this issue, as well as at least
two flagrant violations of the agreement for which he is responsible.
Davis is constantly trying to build a case that due to "Willful Neglect of
Duty", I should eventually be fired. Remember this threat of termination has
come up more than once when a fair minded person, rather than homophobic
(this is the first time I have used this term with Davis, but in light of his
obsessive behavior, there is basis for it) would have simply issued a warning
or a reminder.
So there you have it.
I will stop now as OCR is waiting for an e-mail concerning the multiple
violations and active resistence (yes, there is some) to the resolution of
case 06001240.

somewhere along the line the district will grow up, and Davis will realize
the peiople upon whom he basis his hatred of thing Gay and Lesbian are the
very people loke Falwell and Robertson who have lied for money, success and
self promotion.

Joe

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