APRIL 21, 1995 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 13

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Sex, lies, and vouchers: Tax-supported religious schools

by Bill Henderson

Just like the general public, lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender folk are not easily raised into action over most issues. Sure, we prick up our ears at phrases like "no special rights" and "protection from discrimination." Many of us will even open our wallets or purses on the issue of civil rights for our community members.

And many of us are taking increasing personal responsibility to counter the racism and gender preju-

Family Forum coalition of right wing groups, now coordinated by Phil Burress of Cincinnati's Issue 3 fame.

Conservatives in the Ohio legislature are now expressing the need for changes in sexuality education in Ohio. In particular, they feel homosexuality should not be considered as anything other than an abnormal sexual

OUT Voice

dice we face as a nation each day. As a community, we are coming to understand the interlocking bigotry that links homophobia, sexism, and racism. And we are coming to see the only power others really have over us is that which we give to others or that which we ignore and allow others to turn against us.

One of these arenas that most folks in our community ignore is issues regarding education. And because of that, it is now possible in Ohio that these will be turned against the lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender community. In Washington D.C. this is the year of reform in government, in social services and welfare, and in budget. In Ohio, this is the year of reform in education. And our community is, as usual, one of the central focal points for radical right-wing organizers.

Conservative politicians now dominate as the Ohio legislature looks into school curricula and school funding reforms. In particular, state senator Cooper Snyder of Hillsboro has much authority over what will be considered in committee or in the state senate. He is closely linked to the Ohio Pro-

practice, education should focus

sexuality

within a heterosexual marriage, and parents would have to sign a permission slip for their children to receive even this type of abstinence-based sexuality education.

A bill has not yet been formulated, but you should now be discussing the need for complete sexuality education at appropriate grade levels whenever the subject of education arises. And you need to prick up your ears whenever you hear words calling for limitations on access to sex education. Speak up on this as you would for your right to employ-

ment or rent.

More bad news is that the conservative pressure for “vouchers” is growing. In proposed "voucher" programs, tax dollars set aside for public education are used to pay private school tuitions. Worse still, Governor Voinovich is attempting to pass this type of funding reform by burying an experimental voucher system in his current budget proposal. There has been no clearly successful voucher system experiment in the nation. As critical financial crises grip Ohio school districts, we should be screaming at attempts to move public school funds into private (read: "religious-based") systems. Funding

reform should focus on getting a greater return for your tax dollars in the public systems that you have some control over as a parent or a taxpayer.

Whether you have children in Ohio public schools or not, clearly these issues are about to change your life! If you were born lesbian, gay, or bisexual you were also born into unique political circumstances. It does not help to say "I'm just not a political person." That is giving your power away to others. You have to stand up for many issues now, as well as for full civil rights. Many heterosexual allies are waiting for you to claim these responsibilities, too.

One of these days you will need them on your civil rights issue, and you don't want to be embarrassed to ask for their help. We need you, and they need you, to be involved in schools and to support open education and stronger public school districts.

To promote education in our community and throughout Ohio send $25 ($10 limited income) to: Out Voice, 1487 West 5th Ave. Suite 226, Columbus 43212. For more information call 216-651-2341.

Bill Henderson is state coordinator for Out Voice and the Fairness Federation.

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