On July 17, 2001, about 40 safe schools advocates, including 6 legislators, attended a meeting called by Rep. Ben Dudley to talk with Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (CLAD) Attorney Jennifer Levi about the possibility of developing a safe schools law for Maine. Attendees included the director of the AG's Civil Rights Team Project, a representative of the Dept. of Education, and reps from GLSFN, PPLAG, Outright, MLGPA, and Speakout. The meeting was ably facilitated by Lucky Hollander of Youth Alternatives.

Attorney Levi outlined what she saw as basic components of a Safe Schools law worth fighting lot:

• includes a prohibition against discrimination and harassment
• has a "cause of action" component
• requires that schools adopt specific policies
• includes training for staff
• has some curricular stipulations

Presently there are 7 states that have enacted Safe Schools laws that address sexual orientation: VT, CA, CT, MA., MN., NJ ,WI., D.C. Sonic of these states did so by amending anti- Discrimination laws already on the books of the kind that has been twice repealed here in Maine.

While there was a consensus at this meeting that the AG's Civil Rights Teams Project is doing some great work, there was concern that it is a voluntary program in which only 150 of the state's 450 schools are participating. And for those schools not participating, what happens to the students being targeted because of their perceived sexual orientation? Don't they too deserve equal protection?

Rep. Dudley has proposed the possibility of creating a Select Legislative Committee on GLBT Youth to investigate through public hearings the situation facing sexual minority youth in schools and to come up with recommendations that could include a law. This idea is currently being discussed amongst a number of interested legislators and safe schools advocates. Let us know what you think?

A MUST READ! We highly recommend When the Drama Club is Not Enough: Lessons from the Safe Schools Program for Gay and Lesbian Students by Jeff Perrotti and Kim Westheimer, Beacon Press. Jeff and Kim are leaders in the Safe Schools work in Massachusetts and have made a terrific contribution with this book. You can get the book from Speakout for $24.00 (includes shipping).