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v ERVI
2’ Vol. 11 January 1998 No. 1
v A Publication of the Lexington Gay and Lesbian Services Organization

Safe Schools? Pride Center iFiilms Urban Bush Women

Safe Schools, a Washington statewide The Lesbigaytrans community has On Saturday, Jan. 315t, Urban Bush
coalition of 90 organizations, released a study produced some excellent documentaries Women is coming to the Singletary Center
recently revealing the profound failure of that could be useful in our outreach to the as part of the Next Stage Series at the
many adults in schools to address the anti— larger Lexington Community. The GLSO University of Kentucky. Using dance, live
gay harassment faced by students. in the Speakers Bureau will be showing a number music, theatre and vocalization, this group
past 4 years, 91 incidents were reported, of these films on Saturday, January 24th at explores the struggle, growth.
including 8 gang rapes, 19 physical assaults, the Pride Center starting at 2:00 PM. transformation, and survival of the human
14 cases of physical harassment and/or We want to invite everyone that is spirit.
sexual abuse short of rape and 34 cases of interested in viewing these films to attend. Urban Bush Women is an unusual
ongoing verbal or physical harassment, We are interested in stimulating discussion group in a number of ways. it is an

Eight of the cases involved adults who of how to reach out to the heterosexual ensemble of artists, educators, and
were approached for help, but who then community, particularly to schools and administrators who are dedicated to
offended the youth or actively contributed to churches. As the research reported in the exploring the use of culture as a basis of
their harassment, One teacher told a young adjourning article on safe schools shows, artistic expression. They draw on the
man, after his classmates spit on him, there are lesbigaytrans adolescents in great folklore, religion, and artistic expressions ,
“Maybe you should do more push—ups. need of our help. Although it maybe awhile of Africans throughout the diaspora.
What's the matter, don't you like girls?" before we can show gay positive films to They use the term “vocalization"

in incidents where teens or children high school students, we can reach out to rather than singing because they incIUde
were targets, about one—fourth had adult teachers, counselors, parents, and field hollers, chants, and shape note
witnesses. According to Beth Reis, from the ministers. singing within their performances. These
Seattle-King County Department of Public Two of the films we will be showing African American women have performed
Health and author of the report, “in half of were made particularly for religious to appreciative crowds at the Michigan

' those cases, the adults stood by in silence. groupsand are inspiring even if religious Womyn's Music Festival. Tickets are .

What young people are telling us, loudly and issues are not a personal concern. Straight available at the Student Center Box Office ,
clearly, is that they feel abandoned by the From the Heart portrays parents of gay for $19.
very adults whose job it is to protect them." children talking about their spiritual beliefs _—__——

The state of Massachusetts also and, for some, their struggles to accept and a

. conducts a survey of students every two love their gay children. All God's Children is Sponsor Of the
years in which they ask specifically for . . ‘ Month
information about sexual orientation, sexua' LTUHZHIHW/ on [211,233, c‘rilli'illlllll(i' [IL/Ill" _
behavior, and behaviors related to health and GLSO ONLINE 8' L L 8 IN N .
well being. Students who describe Peter: peter((zi§=uky.campus.mci.net
themselves as gay. lesbian, or bisexual _ . ..‘ .
and/or who'repon same sex sexual contact Mary' MaryqéfRCQﬂOI'com BED 8‘ BREAKFAST
€07lli07111€d 071 page 2 Terry: misterb(q,lgte.net