Gay Public High School to Open Doors This Fall
(New York-WABC, July 28, 2003) ? Beginning this September, New York City will have the nation's first public high school for gay and lesbian students.
They are putting the finishing touches on the facility that will house the new Harvey Milk High School.
William Salzman, Principal: "We're a fully-accredited academic high school, in the city of New York. And we're very proud to be opening our doors to the students on September 8."
There will be 100 students when the school opens its doors in the East Village, following what was once only a smaller program for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students.
The program that preceeded the formal high school was located in the same building on Astor Place, but the facilities for the high school are new. And school authorities tell us there will be no difference between the programs here and those at any other high school.
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor: "Everybody feels that it is a good idea because some of the kids who are gays and lesbians have been constantly harrassed and beaten in other schools."
According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a survey of anti-gay high school incidents shows:
80 percent hear verbal harassment frequently
41 percent are physically harassed, often with a weapon
1 out of 3 skipped school for at least one day, fearing for their safety
But the school exclusively for gay and lesbian students faces strong opposition from some groups.
Michael Long, Conservative Party Chmn.: "The world is not an all-gay place. We are not preparing these kids to deal with society as a whole."
The Harvey Milk school plans to expand with each school year.
:nooo:
(New York-WABC, July 28, 2003) ? Beginning this September, New York City will have the nation's first public high school for gay and lesbian students.
They are putting the finishing touches on the facility that will house the new Harvey Milk High School.
William Salzman, Principal: "We're a fully-accredited academic high school, in the city of New York. And we're very proud to be opening our doors to the students on September 8."
There will be 100 students when the school opens its doors in the East Village, following what was once only a smaller program for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students.
The program that preceeded the formal high school was located in the same building on Astor Place, but the facilities for the high school are new. And school authorities tell us there will be no difference between the programs here and those at any other high school.
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor: "Everybody feels that it is a good idea because some of the kids who are gays and lesbians have been constantly harrassed and beaten in other schools."
According to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a survey of anti-gay high school incidents shows:
80 percent hear verbal harassment frequently
41 percent are physically harassed, often with a weapon
1 out of 3 skipped school for at least one day, fearing for their safety
But the school exclusively for gay and lesbian students faces strong opposition from some groups.
Michael Long, Conservative Party Chmn.: "The world is not an all-gay place. We are not preparing these kids to deal with society as a whole."
The Harvey Milk school plans to expand with each school year.
:nooo:
