[CALIBK12] homosexual themes in high school books

[Tim Gardes]

Hi All,
In creating a collection which recognizes and celebrates the multiplicity of diversities on our campuses, please keep in mind that AB 537 can also be used as "ammunition" when dealing with recalcitrant principals, parents, boards, etc.  Regarding AB 537, the CDE website states that "California students are protected from discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identification."   Furthermore, "all students and staff in public schools have the same right to a safe learning environment, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

Let me start with my own experience.  A few years ago, I was invited to a meeting with a "concerned citizen" who notified my former principal and me that our high school shouldn't allow a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) club to form and that gay kids shouldn't get any "special treatment".  As the GSA co-advisor (and LMT) at the time, the parent wanted to know my "agenda" and was fishing for my sexual orientation to no avail.  My principal backed me up as I repeatedly referred to my moral obligation to help educate all students and my legal obligation under AB 537 to help create a "safe learning environment" for GLBTQ kids.   The woman finally backed down and asked me to forward her the link to the CDE webpage regarding AB 537.  We never heard from her again.  (link to CDE below)

Keep in mind, if your school is not showing any commitment to enforcing AB 537, the district is open to being sued successfully by GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered & Questioning) students and their families who are suffering harassment and discrimination at your school site.  These lawsuits are being won around the country and in California as well.  If sued, the courts will want to see what action(s) your school and/or district have taken to reduce/eliminate this type of discrimination and harassment.  By having GLBTQ books in your collection, your school/district can show at least in one respect that they are actively working toward reducing/eliminating this type of discrimination and harassment.     

Here's the CDE link for AB 537:

http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/lr/sv/ 

In terms of soliciting help with creating a GLBTQ-friendly library and purchasing well-reviewed GLBTQ titles suitable for high schools, check out the following links to GLBTQ title lists from some very reputable library systems from around the country -- also included is a guide I spotted at AASL this past weekend:

http://www.neal-schuman.com/db/1/531.html (Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians)

http://www.multcolib.org/teens/glbt.html (List of GLBTQ titles)

http://www.webrary.org/rs/tbookglbt.html (more titles)

http://www.hclib.org/teens/booklistaction.cfm?list_num=91 (still more titles)

Finally, please feel free to contact me to follow up.  (I was one of the co-presenters on "AB 537 and Your Library Media Center" at the 2006 CSLA conference in Sacramento.)

Thanks for reading to the end of this lengthy posting!
-Tim






Tim Gardes
Library Services Program Manager
Rio Linda Union School District 
5703 Skvarla  Bldg. 1407
McClellan, CA 95652
(916) 566-1600 x1531
 
For RLUSD 2007 Community report, click on this link:  http://www.rlusd.org/index.asp?page=2821&pin=166