GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE MARCH 11, 1994

CABARET AT THE CAFÉ IMPROMPTU Ending gay teens' isolation

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physical abuse and homelessness are also unusually high in gay and lesbian adoles-

cents.

Massachusetts youth-rights activists won their battle by placing the issue of sexual orientation within the context of these figures. But facilitators at the conference were quick to underline that gay youths are more than just statistics. Four Cleveland-area teens from PRYSM (Presence and Respect for Youth in Sexual Minority) helped stress the point by also participating in several of the planned seminars.

Workshops offered dealt with issues like “The 90's Challenge: Teens at Home," "Coming Out in the African-American Community," "The Professional's Role: Intervention or Advocacy?" The conference included a Parents Panel and a Kids Query Kids Panel.

LaFontaine offered himself and his Massachusetts colleagues as guides in developing local strategies that might lead to similar legislation in Ohio. For critics who might complain that Ohio is not the liberal state that Massachusetts is, he said that "there was not a lot of support for gay youths [in Massachusetts] until recently.'

The Education Report of the Governor's Commission recommended four steps, later adopted by the state board of education, that would help establish safer school environments for gay teens. Schools are encouraged to develop policies that protect gay and lesbian students from harassment, violence and discrimination. Training for school personnel in violence and suicide prevention was encouraged. School-based support groups for gay, lesbian and straight students were recommended. (Rebecca Spence is a member of her school's "gay/straight alliance.") And schools were encouraged to provide school-based counseling for gay teens and their families. The law provides legal recourse for students to bring action against schools that discriminate or fail to protect them from harassment.

The facilitators stressed that the most important factor in providing support for gay teens was the presence of an out faculty member, a person teens could approach for

affirmation and support. Ferriera spoke about his role as an out gay teacher in a large Boston public school and the liberation he experienced in being able to express himself fully. When the question was asked if this was only happening in large urban schools, Spence countered that her school numbered around 300. LaFontaine said that of roughly 300 public schools in the state of Massachusetts, 150 have already sent student/teacher teams to training seminars that address gay teen issues.

Aubrey Wertheim, director of youth services at the Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center, said the conference was a success, with over 200 people attending. "I'm very happy with the results. I want to say that this was an extremely volunteered affair. We could not have done it without their help." Wertheim says there were attendees from throughout Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania, with several representatives from Catholic schools.

"The conference proved that the support is there," said Wertheim. "It's up to the gay and lesbian community in how to carry it through." Wertheim is cheered by Cleveland mayor Michael White's recent introduction of sexual orientation legislation in Cleveland and sees it as something to build upon. "If the mayor passes protection for gays and lesbians, then gay teachers, as protected city employees, will be able to help." Wertheim says that the conference did not lose money and that the conference committee is already meeting to strategize for the future.

Most refreshing was seeing the combined effort of several teens and their parents. Erin Parete, a Cleveland-area out high school junior and member of PRYSM who dresses grunge, "but not because it's fashionable," says that "teachers are proud of me because I can be so out." She says that "I really came out after the March on Washington. That was so empowering."

But it would be hard to imagine her so self-assured without her supportive mother. Wilma Parete was on hand to assist with the Parents Panel, but she casually downplays her actions. "I feel that this is my daughter. Before she was gay I loved her, and now that she's gay I still love her. I just accepted it. It's not a big deal."

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Columbus activists: Chris Boadt, Karen Hamm, Mary Jo Hudson, and Lynn Greer,

treasurer.

Greer emphasized the importance of presenting a united front in fighting the anticipated right-wing initiative. She said OAD hopes to raise $2.2 million to hire a campaign director and public relations firm and mount a full-scale media campaign."

Some were skeptical about the fledgling group's ability to raise such a huge sum, but Greer was confident.

"There's no time like a crisis to raise money," she said. "The well never runs dry. I guarantee that if this comes to a referendum, you will see a lot of new faces (contributing)."

Bunge warned that it would be a mistake for OAD to raise money to fight this one issue and then disband.

"We need to look at the long-term issue-changing society's views about gays and lesbians, so that we become a fullfledged, honored part of American society," he said.

A strictly political campaign, which hasn't worked in fighting anti-gay initiatives elsewhere, is a "model for failure," Bunge said. "The real issue is still grass roots—one on one and neighbor to neighbor."

If the Ohio Pro-Family Forum decides to seek an initiative on the November ballot, it would have to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures on petitions by Aug. 10. Despite the magnitude of that task, Karen Hamm, board president of the Columbus

Stonewall Union, noted that the group already is organized in 62 of Ohio's 88 counties. "They are extraordinarily organized, and that's frightening," Hamm said.

The group may decide to delay the issue until the May 1995 primary, when a low voter turnout would benefit the right wing.

Either way, "They're coming at us full steam," Bunge said. "We've got to be ready by November."

During the meeting, Ohio Solicitor Richard Cordray addressed the group about the role of the Ohio Attorney General's office in the matter.

That role is limited, Cordray said, but it would include determining that a summary of any ballot proposal be “fair and truthful.” If the office determines that the language is misleading, petitions cannot be circulated, he said.

That situation arose last week in Florida, where the state supreme court ruled an antigay initiative off the ballot due to its wording, Cordray said.

Because much of the meeting was devoted to discussing the new role of OAD, the participants made little headway in developing a campaign strategy.

Ohioans Against Discrimination plans to meet March 20 to form a steering committee before working out that strategy.

Meanwhile, the informal coalition of gay and pro-gay group leaders who have been attending the Citizens for Justice-sponsored meetings plan to continue to meet monthly and provide input to OAD. The next meeting will be held at 11 am April 9, at Ohio State University's College of Law, 55 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus.