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Panel probes gay harassment Students, teachers, public may attend By VICKI GUARINO Students and administrators will meet on Thursday to answer the question: How safe from harassment do students feel at your school? The panel discussion, sponsored by the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network, will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Rogue Community College's Medford campus, Room 24 in Building D on the corner of Riverside Avenue and Eighth Street. The discussion also will address how often harassment in the form of gay-oriented slurs or assaults occurs in schools and whether staff responses have been effective. This second GLSEN meeting is part of a national network of educators, students and community groups working to raise schools' awareness of the harm caused by harassment based on perceptions of sexual orientation. The local group began organizing last fall. About 50 people, many of them teachers from Rogue Valley schools, attended the first GLSEN session in October. Since then, some schools have made efforts to reach out to students who are troubled by insults and intimidation around them. At Ashland High School, teachers who are particularly interested in talking to students about the problem have posted insignias on doors and desks inviting comments, says Ashland High School special education teacher Linda Barnett, a GLSEN organizer. The signs are intended to address what some teachers fear is a reluctance among students to speak out about homophobic remarks and actions. Youngsters who are hurt or intimidated are often too fearful to come forward, Barnett says. That fearfulness became evident as GLSEN members worked to organize this week's panel discussion. Students were reluctant to join in the session, Barnett says. "It definitely was hard for some kids to be on the panel," says Bob Morse, another GLSEN organizer and a mental health counselor working in Josephine County schools. A few students have come forward in just the past few days and agreed to participate, Morse says. The sexual orientation of the students isn't an issue, only their willingness to speak out and work with administrators to resolve concerns, he says. "Some are gay, some are straight, but they all know what it's like to be harassed," Morse says. Students will be joined by school administrators from Ashland, Talent, Central Point, Hidden Valley and Grants Pass. A moderator will ask both groups similar questions and seek audience questions. Organizers expect to draw at least 75 teachers and members of community groups concerned about the issue. Students, parents and community members are invited to attend. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA