ADVICE SOUGHT FOR LAW SCHOOLS AWAIT GUIDELINES FOR RIGHTS OF GAY STUDENTS.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Local educators have their eyes trained on Sacramento, where state leaders are considering ways to ensure the safety and rights of homosexual, bisexual and transgender students in public schools.

The debate relates to a law passed 18 months ago prohibiting harassment or discrimination in public schools because of sexual orientation or gender identity.

In the months since Assembly Bill 537 became law, a task force has recommended to the state schools chief some ways to ensure that gay, lesbian and bisexual students are protected in practice - not just theory.

``We don't have any guidelines yet, so we've been continuing with an atmosphere we've always been committed to - equal rights and making sure all students are protected,'' said Gloria Mercado, president of the William S. Hart Union High School district board.

Mercado said very little has been mentioned about the law since it passed in January 2000, but she recognizes the effect such a controversial topic could have in the Santa Clarita Valley.

``In this community you're going to get both sides. Some feel it's inappropriate and others don't,'' she said. ``I know there's anxiety out there, and perhaps some misunderstanding, but we obviously have to comply with all laws.

``I think even the school boards could use some guidance on some of the issues if the state comes up with directives for the districts.''

The controversy has gained momentum after Delaine Eastin, state superintendent of public instruction, announced she will provide every school district with a report from the 36-member task force by this fall.

During this week's annual conference of the National Education Association in Los Angeles, protesters are expected to oppose a resolution regarding homosexual students' rights.

Karen Holgate, director of policy for Sacramento-based Capitol Resource Institute, will participate in a protest outside the NEA conference - an annual meeting that draws about 12,000 educators.

``We need to be concentrating on teaching all students and all people to show tolerance,'' she said.

``But this is being driven by homosexual activists who are extreme in their beliefs. If we're talking about creating harmony on campus, why are we doing everything to create a little niche for a certain group?''

Holgate said that all children experience taunts at some point, whether because they are skinny, overweight, wear glasses or have freckles.

``You don't give greater protection and attention to one person over another,'' she said. ``You don't need to talk about sexual behavior.'' Kathleen Lyons, an NEA spokeswoman, said any comment on the homosexual students-rights resolution would be premature before the assembly has heard the issue on the floor of the Los Angeles Convention Center, the site of the five-day conference that begins today.

Kathy J. Gill, co-chair of the AB 537 task force and an inner-group relations specialist for the Los Angeles Unified School District, said the claims of groups like Capitol Resource Institute only strengthen the need to protect the rights of gay students.

``There's nothing worse than to be called gay, nothing more insulting than to be associated with a gay person,'' Gill said. ``That's why the AB 537 language prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation.

``If you're part of an ethnic minority, you don't have to worry about going home and having your parents kick you out. We want images of gay families included with divorced families, adoptive families.

``We need to let other students, parents and faculty members know that these students need to be included in the system,'' Gill said.

While the potential dilemma is still only a concept, some Santa Clarita-area school administrators addressed their own feelings about the situation.

Beverly Silsbee, superintendent of the Castaic Union School District, said she is committed to social tolerance in her schools, but admitted that some of the task force recommendations reach beyond the responsibilities of an elementary school district.

``We do have sexual education curriculum at the seventh- and eighth- grade levels that requires parental approval,'' Silsbee said. ``But I don't think it's the school's responsibility to necessarily go into areas that are sensitive in terms of values in the family.''

Newhall School District Superintendent Marc Winger agreed that discussion about homosexuality, if it were to be required on some level in the future, would be more appropriate at the high school level.

Task force co-chair Gill, however, said methods of sensitivity and inclusion need to start with the youngest students.

``How are we going to provide access for gay and lesbian students if you don't look at role models who have contributed to society?'' Gill said. ``This is about academic achievement and addressing some of the issues that have kept students from achieving their potential.

``Unfortunately, the Religious Right views that as promoting a homosexual agenda. They do not want the words mentioned,'' Gill said.

``It's such a fear factor. Somehow just by talking about the fact that gays and lesbians have rights under the law, they see that as an attempt to make others homosexual.''