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Gay Student Support Program Approved


STUDENTS GENERIC HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROM X390 (PHOTOS.COM) | ADVOCATE.COM

Despite facing a projected $113 million two-year deficit, San Francisco's school board has unanimously agreed to fund a $120,000 support program for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning" youth issues.

The San Francisco Chronicle notes that the measure requires district staff to seek outside funding to cover the costs, although it guarantees minimum services regardless.

A district survey indicated that about 13% of middle school students and 11% of high school students in the city identified as gay. Despite the perception of San Francisco as a gay-friendly city, LGBT students were still far more likely to be intimidated or unmotivated to go to school.

Across the bay in Alameda, debate recently ensued over a decision by that city's district to provide an annual lesson on gay and lesbian issues at its schools. That measure passed with much less ease than San Francisco's unanimous decision, which provides for a much more comprehensive program.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Kai
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 2:37:38 PM
    Hometown: Seattle

    Comment:

    GRAMMAR CHECK, PLS!!! "...by that cities district..." -- should be "city's" "...gay and lesbian issues at it's schools" -- should be "its"

  • Name: Ryan Holman
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 2:36:17 PM
    Hometown: Santa Monica, CA

    Comment:

    I agree that in this financial climate this isn't a good idea. I think that there should definitely be more counseling services for students, but I don't think that it necessarily has to be for gay students specifically. On the plus side of all this, it is noted that the program is required to seek outside funding as from other organizations to pay for as much of this as possible. Other schools, as the one I went to, have the same sort of system where-by the YMCA pays to have a proper counselor at high schools to deal specifically with emotional issues rather than academics and scheduling. If proper funding is found outside the school district, I am all for it.

  • Name: Steve
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 2:34:05 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    Way to go San Francisco! Education about LGBT issues starts in schools and with our young citizens. If this $120,000 prevents one incident of bullying, intimidation or injury it is well spent - even in this era of budget problems. Treating others with respect and dignity is priceless.

  • Name: Anthony Simone
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 2:20:26 PM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    With such a huge budget defecit, is this *really* what we want to be spending money one? Yes LGBT issues are important, but there are some things that are more important in times like these. Nobody wants to hear that their pet project needs to be cut, but in a reality like this one we need to accept that sweeping cuts need to be made in the budget and LGBT issues are not immune to that.

  • Name: Thomas Walker
    Date posted: 2/10/2010 2:18:58 PM
    Hometown: Madison NJ

    Comment:

    Unreal. Good intentions......but are they kidding>? They should be cutting programs with this much debt!



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