Freedom from being harassed

Thank you for reporting (BDN, June 1) the study by Human Rights Watch on harassment of gay students. We are sadly aware of the prevalence of such harassment in Maine schools.

That nonpartisan international organization’s report documented the failure of most American schools to provide adequate safety to students who are perceived to be gay or lesbian. Those students, the report made clear, face frequently the sorts of humiliations and threats that interfere severely with their well-being and their ability to focus on learning, and that make their school experience a nightmare.

We have spoken with students who attend numerous Maine schools and have heard the same thing from them. The most prevalent and severe vilifications and threats, day after day, are directed at students who are thought to be gay, lesbian or inadequately masculine or feminine. And, sadly, when teachers overhear such slurs as “you faggot,” “you’re queer” and “that’s so gay!” they far too seldom intervene.

Too few schools have specific policies and procedures in place to protect such students. We salute those that do. Most schools, while stating that they do not tolerate harassment, have seriously inadequate education and enforcement procedures. They may state that their nonharassment policy applies to all students, yet they fail explicitly to mention gay and lesbian students in their procedures.

A policy without active education and enforcement procedures is toothless. We do not believe it is possible to address a problem without actually talking about it, yet the words “gay,” “lesbian,” “transgender” and “sexual orientation” seldom come out of the mouths or the pens of school authorities.

Students who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, or who have loved ones who are, get a clear message that policies against harassment do not apply to them; that they and their families are not equal members of the school and community; and that they are not safe in their own schools.

Our impression, gathered from conversations with several school administrators, is that their hearts are often in the right place but that many of them fear that by clearly protecting students from anti-gay harassment they would open themselves to charges of endorsing homosexuality. For too many school administrators the matter is too controversial. They do not perceive support in their communities to offer the needed protection. So students continue to suffer, to endure humiliations, threats and assault.

There is often a misperception that because equal rights in housing and jobs for Maine’s gays was defeated in referendum, that gay students have no legal protection from harassment. Concerned parents and other citizens can let school administrators know that the safety of every student is important, and that the words “gay” and “lesbian” need to be said in helping those students to be as safe as others.

Preventing harassment of students based on their religions is done openly by policies reinforced by education and procedures in most schools. The word “religion” is used, yet that does not constitute the endorsement of any particular religious practices. Similarly, protecting students from harassment based on their real or perceived sexual orientation is not an endorsement of any sexual behaviors. It is simply a matter of safety, to which every citizen, every student, is entitled by law.

Our organization provides consultation and training to schools and colleges in Maine. We offer our assistance to any school that is willing vigorously to take on this important responsibility.

Lin Gould of Mount Desert and Peter Rees of Trenton are co-chairs of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network’s Downeast Maine chapter, based in Ellsworth.