Gay-friendly high school may open here in 2010
PRIDE CAMPUS | Would provide 'heroes,' seek to combat bullying
A "gay-friendly'' Chicago public high school that will weave gay and lesbian "heroes" -- from James Baldwin to Gertrude Stein -- into its curriculum was among 20 new school proposals unveiled Wednesday.
The Pride Campus of Social Justice High School would be open to all students citywide but would provide a safe, "gay-friendly'' atmosphere to combat the high bullying, dropout and depression rate many gay and lesbian students experience nationwide, advocates say.
In U.S. history and other classes, "gay and lesbian historical figures'' would be taught so gay youth "have heroes,'' said Bill Greaves, Chicago's liaison on issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
"We will teach the history of all people, but we are just going to make sure these people are not invisible in that history,'' said Greaves, part of the Pride Campus design team.
The Pride Campus still needs a location but hopes to open in 2010 and ultimately serve 600 students. It would not be alone in welcoming gay students, but it would be one of the bigger such public schools.
In Milwaukee, Alliance High School considers itself "gay friendly'' but has only 125 students, said lead teacher Tina Owens. Alliance estimates its population is 60 percent to 70 percent LGBT(Even this article is in code) , Owens said.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan said he expects the Pride Campus will be "majority straight.'' Many kids should be attracted to its college-prep curriculum and its message of "social justice'' and "tolerance,'' Duncan said.
PRIDE CAMPUS | Would provide 'heroes,' seek to combat bullying
A "gay-friendly'' Chicago public high school that will weave gay and lesbian "heroes" -- from James Baldwin to Gertrude Stein -- into its curriculum was among 20 new school proposals unveiled Wednesday.
The Pride Campus of Social Justice High School would be open to all students citywide but would provide a safe, "gay-friendly'' atmosphere to combat the high bullying, dropout and depression rate many gay and lesbian students experience nationwide, advocates say.
In U.S. history and other classes, "gay and lesbian historical figures'' would be taught so gay youth "have heroes,'' said Bill Greaves, Chicago's liaison on issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
"We will teach the history of all people, but we are just going to make sure these people are not invisible in that history,'' said Greaves, part of the Pride Campus design team.
The Pride Campus still needs a location but hopes to open in 2010 and ultimately serve 600 students. It would not be alone in welcoming gay students, but it would be one of the bigger such public schools.
In Milwaukee, Alliance High School considers itself "gay friendly'' but has only 125 students, said lead teacher Tina Owens. Alliance estimates its population is 60 percent to 70 percent LGBT(Even this article is in code) , Owens said.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan said he expects the Pride Campus will be "majority straight.'' Many kids should be attracted to its college-prep curriculum and its message of "social justice'' and "tolerance,'' Duncan said.
