Board backs GLBT forum

[kweerwolf]

A petition and a packed meeting room notwithstanding, the School Board did not stand in the way Monday of the Burlington School District's co–sponsorship or participation in a forum today to discuss issues of bullying against gay students.

The GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force will conduct a public forum at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at James Madison Middle School.

Superintendent Mike Book explained to board members how the district got involved with the forum as host, participant and co–sponsor.

"I saw it as an educational opportunity," Book said, explaining that he ultimately gave the go–ahead. "I felt it was appropriate to learn more about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and how they feel about school."

http://www.thehawkeye.com/daily/stories/ln3_1101.html

[kevinbgoode]

1. I was a bit down on this newspaper for their initial coverage

especially since they had so many quotes from the looney Right ministers in previous stories. . .I even called them and complained about how they framed that coverage. Actually, it's a good little paper - they have stood their ground on some controversial things before, which is amazing in that part of the Midwest. But you can bet every sin-callin' wingnut minister was out there tryin' to say "We don't hate the gays, we just don't want nothin' to encourage them to be that way."...translation being "We are gonna say we don't hate them, but it's okay for our kids to bully them cuz that's what happens to sinners."