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The United Way will introduce a new program to the San Ramon Valley Unified school district which will concentrate on the education of staff and students about what it is like to be a gay or a lesbian.
The program is called the "Safe Schools Project" and is being supported by Catholic Charities; estimated funding from the United Way of Costa Contra is $46,000.
The program's objective is to lower the amount of violence and general abuse that gays and lesbians suffer by educating the students and staff on issues such as dealing with diversity. By doing so, the prejudices that result from misinformation are hoped to be eliminated. "This program is about increasing people's awareness of real life experiences," said Julie Lienert, the program's director. She adds that it is not about changing people's sexual preferences. Susan Threatt, a staff member at MV, also said: "You don't have to agree with a particular lifestyle or accept it as your own, to treat the people who live that lifestyle as individuals who deserve your respect."
The suicide and dropout rates of gay and lesbian students is high, and the "Safe Schools Project" aims to bring that statistic down. Gay and lesbian victims of physical and verbal abuse are involved in the program and talk to the students themselves, creating a much more personal impact. "Everyone has the right to feel safe and accepted in society no matter what their differences are," says John Ma, a sophomore at MV. Jennifer Lau, also a sophomore, agrees. "If it [the Safe Schools Project] can reduce the violence, then it's worth a try."
Indeed, the "Safe Schools Project" was started in a few public schools in the Contra Costa county this fall. It has already been running for three years in East Bay Catholic high schools; improvement has been noticed.
The program is aimed not only at students. Many teachers need help to begin increasing tolerance and understanding as well, according to Richard Godmintz, a teacher adviser of the Gay/Straight Alliance at Miramonte High School in the Acalanes district.
