Show Myths Gays and Lesbians By Matt Baldwin Staff Writer In the midst of recent controversy surrounding gay and lesbian clubs the Utah Human Rights Coalition announced the formation of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Teachers Alliance The announcement came February 26 at a press conference held by the at the State Capital According to Doug Wortham head of and French teacher at Rowland Hall the Alliance was formally formally formally for for- mally organized at the beginning of February by a group of gay and strait teachers Wortham stated that the Alliance has three main goals to provide provide pro pro- provide vide a support group for its members to dispel and unravel the myths concerning concerning concerning con con- gay and lesbian people and tobe to tobe tobe be an advocacy group who intend on making the educational world a better safer kinder place for all young peo- peo pie Wortham would not give specific numbers on Alliance membership or influence due to what he called concerns concerns concerns con con- cerns of possible repercussions However he did state that influence is valley wide Despite fear of repercussion Alliance member Clayton Vetter felt it was time to speak out a against miscon miscon- Im here on my ow own alone because I think that there comes a time when people have to take a stand Vetter said To remain silent is simply wrong I dont don't want anyone to live in secrecy fear and self hatred Vetter has taught in the Granite School District for 12 years currently as the Debate coach at Skyline I High ligh School Vetter Veller feels that being gay has no effect on his role as an educator I Iw w x A r v. v c. c cA S. S am a coach I am a mentor I help students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents rise to their full potential and to accept even defeat as victory I l am a arole arole arole role model and I 1 am gay Vetter said UI member and chief lobbyist lobby lobby- Lyn Taylor feels that all people regardless of sexual orientation havethe havethe have havethe the right to speak out about issues of concern together peaceably and to feel safe in doing so These rights must be granted to all Taylor said That is what public means Our public public public pub pub- lic schools are for everyone According to Taylor as citizens and parents we should be seeking out the highest quality of education possible possible possible ble for our youth We cant can't afford to loose good teachers because of fear and secrecy East High Special Ed teacher Scott Nelson shares in this sentiment Nelson commented that he heis heis heis is equally proud to be the brother of many gay and lesbian colleagues Please know that I 1 and many many of my fellow straight colleagues stand beside you with pride and understanding understand understand- ing in support of your desire to behonest be behonest behonest honest with yourself and your community community community com com- Nelson said Despite Despite- the support of straight members such as Nelson and numerous numerous numerous numer numer- ous high school students who attended attend attend- ed the announcement of was not made without opposition Mili Peters a former legislative aide feels that the main agenda of gay and lesbian groups is to recruit members to the gay lifestyle I draw the line where you actively active active- ly come into the school system to recruit Peters said I draw the line when it appears to me according to what I see in the total picture that there is a movement to recruit young men who are arc not mature enough mentally mentally men men- tally and emotionally to make that decision she continued n. n aw w. w 7 r I where I draw the line as a parent According to Wortham it is no accident that the announcement of comes directly following student efforts to form a straight gay alliance Wortham stated that the teacher group was inspired by the student student student stu stu- stu- stu dent efforts giving them courage to come forward with pride |