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Making It Real: The Queer Youth Action Team's Story
by: Ravi Rangi
When the Queer Youth Action Team (QYAT) took on the task of trying to implement AB 537 in our local Contra Costa County school districts we knew we were getting into a long hard battle. Sure the bill was passed and signed into law, but no one even knew it existed. How was a group of queer teenagers like us from the middle of nowhere going to use a little heard of law to reduce homophobia in our schools? No one else had done it before, but we were ready to accept the challenge. But where should we start?
I think we all felt a little clumsy in the beginning phases, but slowly out of what seemed like chaos came some order. Brainstorming, we decided that we needed to figure out exactly where to start by collecting information on each region of Contra Costa County. In doing a needs assessment of each district in the county we asked ourselves some basic questions like:
- How many sensitivity trainings has each district had regarding queer issues?
- How many potential allies do we have in each district?
- How many GSAs are there to join us in our efforts in each district?
- Have there been major incidents of homophobia in each district?
As each of these questions was answered, as well as many others, we targeted a school district that we felt needed our efforts the most, yet at the same time was going to be somewhat receptive of the idea. We wanted our first district to be a success. Everyone agreed that West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) was our best bet. Our next step was to develop and refine our strategy in approaching WCCUSD. Using the knowledge we already had, we developed a strategy chart outlining our long-term and short- term goals, identifying our allies and constituents, as well as listing our primary and secondary targets in our campaign. We also asked ourselves more personal questions such as what were our strengths and weaknesses as a group as well as what type of tactics we were going to use. We finally decided to begin work within WCCUSD by doing a needs assessment specific to the district. But once again where should we start? Looking over the strategy chart, it became apparent that we needed to get directly out to the youth as soon as possible to find out how they felt about our campaign. It was decided that the best way to reach the youth would be to hold a youth forum.
On March 8, 2000, QYAT organized a youth forum called "Give us the 411" at the Richmond Unity Church in West Contra Costa County, specifically for students in the district. The event was a major success, with youth both queer and straight showing up from all over the district to tell us what they thought about homophobia in their schools. With some animated discussion, everyone came to the conclusion that there were some major problems that needed to be addressed in the district regarding homophobia and the implementation of the new law. We also came up with some potential solutions to those problems.
Yet undoubtedly, the most unforgettable part of the forum was the school climate surveys and personal stories the youth left. As we read each story, I felt something inside of me begin to stir. Why are we treated differently because we are queer? It seemed so unfair to me, and I think the rest of the QYAT members began to feel something similar. Reading about some of the painful situations where youth were treated differently because they were queer reminded us of our own personal struggles in school. That was the moment we all became emotionally invested in this fight.
We finally had a purpose and we presented that purpose to the WCCUSD Board President Glen Price and El Cerrito High School teacher Jennifer Rader. Glen and Jennifer suggested we take our potential solutions and create a resolution to present to the school board. Unaware of what a resolution was or how to write it, we consulted the older edition of the AB 537 handbook as well as an old resolution that was presented to the San Francisco School Board. Taking on the role of an attorney, a couple of QYAT members and myself wrote our own resolution. After exhausting revisions through school board members and school officials, our version was complete and ready to present to the board. Outlining the wishes of the students it was to protect, our resolution was the first of its kind to be legally backed by AB 537.
The resolution was complete, but the monumental task of organizing a community had only just begun. The school board put us on the agenda, but only after we agreed to let them cut out large portions of our resolution. Our work had been butchered, but nonetheless we were on the agenda to present what was left of our original version. We were on the school board agenda to present our resolution, but without allies our battle would be a lost cause. In the following weeks, we went out into the community and collected over 200 signatures of WCCUSD constituents. We created QYAT postcards of support, hundreds of which were sent to different board members. Finally, we collected 40 letters of support from parents, teachers, PFLAG members, various religious organizations, PTA groups, as well as the teachers‰ union, all of which urged the board to pass our original version of the resolution. Unimpressed, the school board refused to budge on their decision and would not put our version of the resolution on the agenda.
After working so long and hard on our campaign, it hurt us personally that everything wasn't coming along as planned. Even so, the watered down version of our resolution needed to be presented, and we went about the task of collecting testimonies from students and recent graduates of WCCUSD. As we collected testimonies, students from WCCUSD began to call the superintendent's office seeking the original version of the resolution on the agenda. In response to the students, the board downgraded the resolution from an agenda item to a consent item leaving us worse off then before. As a consent item there would be no discussion allowed on the issue. This sparked a public outcry in the community and the office was flooded with calls asking that our resolution be pulled from the consent items and placed back on the agenda. The public was successful in getting the watered down resolution back on as a normal agenda item.
On February 7, 2001, a year after our efforts had first begun, came the day of the WCCUSD Board meeting where the fate of our resolution would be decided. It was a challenging, stressful, and scary time for everyone involved including not only QYAT, but also the many students and supporters that joined in the campaign. A few days prior to the event, QYAT sent out media advisories to local news agencies, and in response KQED, KPFA, KGO, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Contra Costa Times, and Contra Costa Television showed up to witness this historic event. With the community out in full force and wearing hot pink stickers in support of QYAT, we began our presentation with legal information, statistics, and personal testimonies of students. Many students felt uncomfortable being seen at the meeting, so their stories were told by other youth, who pointed out the author's reluctance to be identified. There were more than thirty speakers in favor of QYAT's resolution including statewide AB 537 taskforce member Grant Peterson, an attorney, two ministers from West Contra Costa, teachers, parents, students, and representatives from various community organizations.
I sat in the second row and watched as an endless line of people went to the podium and gave spectacular speeches on why the resolution was so important to all students regardless of real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Speech after speech, the community pummeled the board for butchering the original version of our resolution. One of the most memorable speeches was given by a minister of a local church that started off, "I am queer, and I am proud!" The emotions within the room were soaring higher and higher with each speech.
As all of the speeches ended and the noise died down, a nervous feeling began to grow within my stomach. The moment was fast approaching when the final decision on a year's worth of our hard work was to be made. The crowd grew more anxious as the board discussed the issue, and biases became more evident as the board members discussed their views of the resolution. Suddenly, during her time to speak board member Pat Player stood up and introduced an amendment attaching the content of our original resolution to the watered down version. With a unanimous vote, the board passed the amendment, and the crowd simultaneously broke out in a roar of cheers. At that moment my eyes flooded with tears as I hugged my fellow QYAT members in celebration of our victory. It was the greatest feeling ever to watch the crowd of students and adults light up with hope and enthusiasm where once only fear and hopelessness existed.
The victory didn't die there in the boardroom as everyone shuffled out; WCCUSD students reported a change in their school atmosphere that even they didn't expect. One El Cerrito High student told us that after the passing of the resolution she expected for people to now simply keep quiet about their homophobic views. Yet, in the weeks following the board meeting, students said they felt a renewed sense of empowerment throughout their campuses. Homophobic comments continued but now students and teachers were no longer standing by idly. Many students who had been silent in the past were now making it clear that slurs were no longer tolerated by either gay or straight allies alike. No longer silent, students felt a greater feeling of pride in themselves as well as a stronger sense of community. Instead of pretending they didn't hear homophobic comments, many queer students felt good about who they were and started to stand up for themselves. The biggest lesson that all QYAT members shared, including myself, is that we all have the power to create positive change within our communities.
On February 7, 2001, the West Contra Costa Unified School District became the first district in Contra Costa County to pass a resolution specifically implementing AB 537 within a school system. The passing of our resolution was a momentous victory for queer youth across the county. Ironically the board president took time to also remind us in his closing speech of the long battle that is yet to be fought against homophobia.
Four months after our resolution was passed, we tried to assess the effects of our resolution in individual schools. We realized that it was too early to tell. The task force to advise and assist the WCCUSD Safety Committee regarding implementation of our resolution had not yet been created. We were still in the early stages of the implementation process. Nonetheless, the residual effects of the board meeting were greatly beneficial. Teachers, administrators, and community members were educated by the student's testimonials read that night. No one in the district could deny that LGBTQ students face harassment and discrimination. Also, because of the media coverage, on February 7, most people in West Contra Costa learned that AB 537 is the law.
The fight against homophobia is far from over. The Queer Youth Action Team will continue working to implement AB 537 in new school districts in Contra Costa County as well as work on enforcement of our previous efforts including those within the WCCUSD. QYAT as well as other queer activists must fight until homophobia is no longer the norm. Until that day our struggles must go on.
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