GLSEN's Westchester Connection
By Mike Witsch
Yorktown Heights' resident, Mary Jane Karger, was recently named to the national Board of Directors of GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Loft member Mike Witsch interviewed her about this prestigious appointment.
First, explain what GLSEN is and what it does nationally.
GLSEN is an education organization creating safe schools for all LGBT students. We envision a future in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Practically speaking, GLSEN provides curriculum resources and research about LGBT youth to schools; organizes student leadership, who in turn help run "Day of Silence" events; helps support Gay Straight Alliances in schools across the country; and supports 50 local chapters nationwide.
What prompted your involvement in GLSEN in the first place?
I have been a school social worker in the Carmel, NY schools for over 26 years, and I am a proud parent of two sons, one of whom is gay. I have witnessed the verbal cruelty present in our district and heard of its presence in schools across Westchester and the country. I have seen this behavior go unchecked and wondered how to help stop it. In 1997, I heard Kevin Jennings, co-founder and Executive Director of GLSEN, speak. He introduced me to the world of advocacy for LGBT youth. I immediately wanted to start my own GLSEN chapter in Westchester, but found that one existed in the Hudson Valley, so I joined that. Within a year, I was the co-chair.
The Hudson Valley Chapter has since expanded, right?
Yes, we have. As of September 2003, we have four sub-chapters (Westchester, Orange, Rockland and Ulster), so there is a lot of activity in the Hudson Valley. For five years we co-sponsored a weekend retreat for high school students, called "Common Threads." Its mission was to develop action plans that the groups could take back to their high schools to increase the safety of all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. In October, we became the sole sponsor of an exciting new program, "First Person - A Creative Expression Weekend," for high school students. Here students took the topic of "honesty" and explored it through writing, theater, movement, music, videography and visual arts. Another event we have co-sponsored for five years is the "Healing the Hurt" conference that aims to educate the Westchester County population about gay issues. This year, we focused on schools and youth. Over 450 people attended, including 150 students. We also honored 23 of 47 Westchester school districts that have some form of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression protection in their district's non-discrimination or anti-harassment policies. Upon request, we provide educational workshops, resources, curriculum materials and general support regarding LGBT youth issues to school personnel and students, as well as workshops and in-service credit classes at Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES. Yearly we honor high school seniors and teachers, who have made a significant difference for LGBT youth and for those perceived as being LGBT. To keep people up to date with our work, we have a newsletter and a website.
What's on the GLSEN-National Spring calendar?
We will be involved with 2 important programs. One will occur in middle schools across the nation the first week of March 2004 - it's called "No Name-Calling Week." This initiative will attempt to make name-calling of any kind unacceptable in middle schools. There's a website: www.nonamecalling.org where people can sign up and get information and materials. The other event will occur nationally in high schools on Wednesday, April 21st, called "the Day of Silence." Here students (and some teachers) remain silent during the school day as a reminder of all the LGBT students who are unable to advocate for themselves. Last year over 200,000 students in the nation participated! After school ends that day, Center Lane and we will sponsor a "Breaking the Silence" event, where students and staff come together in a public space to recap the day's events.
And for local Chapter members?
Besides our meetings at The Loft on the 4th Thursday each month, we will have a wonderful Benefit Dinner on Saturday evening, May 22nd in the charming Community Room of St. Matthew's Church. Back by popular demand will be Mary Jane and Anthony Newman, pianists, performing classical pieces along with a renowned vocalist. During this event, we will also honor some outstanding LGBT youth and their allies from our county.
How can the readers of Community News support the work that GLSEN does?
Thank you for asking. We encourage people to mention our organization and our services at their local schools. We are available to speak to groups at school, whether it's students, staff or administrators. We want to educate schools on how to support LGBT youth by developing policies, procedures and practices to protect these youth.