GSPCGP Letter to Rendell on LGBT Education Needs, K-12 (May 2003)

Dear Gov. Rendell,

We understand that the State Board of Education is actively reviewing its curriculum regulations and seeking input until the end of May.

The Gertrude Stein Political Club of Greater Pittsburgh (GSPCGP) wants districts to be directed to use a science-based curriculum approved by the CDC to educate students at every grade level on AIDS and how to avoid HIV infection. Currently, the AIDS curriculum regulations only require that districts teach "something." There are no regulations on the time to be spent or the grades that will be instructed or what the curriculum will be. As a result, many young lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered students and others are not learning what they need to learn.

We want a curriculum that includes more information throughout the school year on the contributions of sexual minority people, African-Americans, women, and other minorities to U.S. culture.

We want public schools directed on how to create a more inclusive atmosphere for children from nontraditional families (such as single-parent, same-gender parents, step-families, bi-racial families).

Furthermore, we want an improvement in resources offered by the public schools to students who are lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered, and on family planning, including birth control and abortion.

And we want regulations established enabling public schools to combat harassment and hate crimes against sexual minority students, faculty, and staff.

Based on information pulled from GLSEN, THE IMPACT OF HOMOPHOBIA ON LESBIAN AND GAY YOUTH includes the following:

o97% of students in public high schools report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from their peers.

oTwo-thirds of guidance counselors harbor negative feelings toward lesbians and gay males.

o42% of homeless youth self-identify as lesbian or gay.

o19% of lesbian and gay youth report suffering physical attacks based on their sexual orientation.

o42% of adolescent lesbians and 34% of adolescent gay males who have suffered physical attack also attempt suicide.

oGay and lesbian youth represent 30% of all completed teen suicide.

A recent study assessing the needs of the lgbt community of Allegheny County reaffirms the need to improve conditions for our youth. Overall, the researchers noted three major areas of concern for the community, including the lack of a Safe School Law. This study was conducted as a project of Persad Center, Inc. in collaboration with the Gay and Lesbian Community Center and the Seven Project. They released their report this past January.

With the current review of curriculum regulations, GSPCGP believes the State Board of Education has an opportunity to address these issues.

GSPCGP is a multipartisan organization working in electoral politics for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights by helping candidates who are committed to helping us secure those rights. We supported your candidacy for Governor as well as the PA senators and representatives copied on this letter.

We are now seeking your leadership on these issues. Please contact GSPCGP if you have questions or for further discussion.

Sincerely,

Barb Albinini

Chair, GSPCGP

cc:

Sec. Vicki Phillips

Sen. Jim Ferlo

Sen. Allen Kukovich

Rep. Dan Frankel

Rep. Frank Pistella

Rep. Joseph Preston

Rep. Jake Wheatley