Students applaud loudly when the final speaker of the evening approaches the podium. Smiling, Ms. Martínez says, “Now I know how the Lakers feel at Staples.” A few more cheers sound out and Ms. Martínez waits until it is quiet before she addresses the audience. “During my years as a psychologist, I’ve often had clients who have experienced prejudice and discrimination simply because they are different. Some of my clients are of a different ethnic background, some are gay or lesbian, but at one time or another they have all faced the same type of biased attitudes. As tonight’s panelists have indicated, gays and lesbians often hate themselves, have low self-esteem and may even attempt to take their own lives. It’s also a fact that hate crimes against gay, lesbian and transgender people have been on the rise, yet, most of these crimes go unreported by the police. For anyone who is Latino, being gay or lesbian is even more traumatic, given their strong Catholic patriarchal family background.”
Pausing to take a deep breath, Ms. Martínez continues. “I’ve never talked about this until today, but I recently found out that my only brother, Andy, was gay. Andy committed suicide when he was a teenager and for all these years, we were led to believe that Andy had taken his life because he was on drugs. I was shocked to find out that Andy took his life, that he chose to commit suicide because he was afraid to tell anyone the truth about his being gay. He couldn’t even tell my parents or myself.”
The air is thick with silence as Ms. Martínez clears her throat and attempts to steady her voice. Shuffling my feet awkwardly, I think about my own suicide attempt. Mom’s suffering. The scars that still seem to make me bleed.
“This is very difficult to talk about,” Ms. Martínez, goes on, “especially with my parents. It’s a secret my mother kept hidden all these years and even now, she still refuses to bring it out in the open. As Mrs. Finch indicated earlier, parents and families of gay and lesbian students also need support. They need to be informed about their own coming out process, not just that of their children. This is why it is extremely important to inform parents about PFLAG. I recommend that everyone pick up one of Janet’s brochures. The last comment I’d like to emphasize, before I conclude for the evening, is that human beings do not choose to be either straight or gay. Most psychologists do not consider sexual orientation to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed. Let me reiterate, homosexuality is not an illness. It does not require treatment and is not changeable. The American Psychological Association, as well as the American Psychiatric Association and every other medical association, strongly insist that sexual orientation is not a choice or something that needs to be treated. Thank you.”
As Ms. Martínez returns to her chair, Mrs. Finch pats her on the arm. Back at the microphone, I nervously announce that it is time for the audience to participate with any questions or comments they wish to share. I point out the two mics on both sides of the bleachers for their use. I recognize the first person to approach the microphone, Josiah West, who is president of the Christian Club. “God, our Creator, states in Lev. 18:22, ‘Thou shalt not lie with mankind or with womankind. It is an abomination. Homosexuality is a sin.’ Several loud boos emerge from the audience, but Josiah ignores them. “Homosexuals were born in sin and they choose this behavior. But God still loves them and will help them change. They only need to ask.”
As Josiah returns to his seat, a well-dressed man who looks like a college student addresses the audience from the other microphone. “I’d like to respond to that. I’m gay and I don’t think of myself as a sinner. There are millions of gays and lesbians in this country and we don’t consider ourselves evil. Anyone who preaches hatred from the Bible, as you are doing, is ill-informed. As Dr. Martínez said, homosexuality is not a choice.”
Now a heavy set man, who has been waiting impatiently in line to speak, raises his voice to say, “I’m tired of Christians being portrayed as stupid or ignorant. I am fed up with people who denigrate the word of God. Homosexuals are immoral and they have chosen sinful behavior. That’s all I gotta say.”
There are several loud boos mixed with a few claps as the loud-spoken man retreats back to his seat. The next person to speak is a gray-haired woman with a young girl at her side, who must be her granddaughter. “I don’t understand why people who call themselves Christians have so much hatred and bigotry. I am the proud parent of a son who’s gay. He is not a sinner and he is not stupid nor ignorant. He’s a successful attorney and I’m very proud of him. Furthermore, there are all kinds of people in the world, all kinds of religious beliefs, races. I do not understand how so-called Christians can use the Bible to justify hatred against gays and lesbians. Jesus taught us to love everyone, especially those you disagree with.”
Another rumble of applause fills the auditorium as the fearless grandma retreats from the microphone. Jean gives me a slight jab on the side when Mrs. Ritter, my Economics teacher from last year, moves up to speak. “I’ve been a teacher at Roosevelt for almost a decade and I’m here tonight because I want to learn to be more open-minded. Over the years, I’ve heard both students and teachers using language that is offensive and hurtful when referring to someone who is gay. As a teacher, it’s hard to know how to go about confronting students in the classroom when they do this, let alone a colleague in the teacher’s lounge. Teachers need to be informed on how to address these issues and I’m glad that our administration is supportive of this forum. I hope we have more like it.”
Several students are on their feet cheering loudly as Mrs. Ritter returns to her seat. When Mr. Marshall, the Principal, introduces himself to the audience, Jean and I exchange a look of astonishment. “I’m very pleased that Roosevelt has teachers like Mrs. Ritter, who are supportive of forums such as this one. I’d like to announce that our school administration, with the help of the school district, is already working on modifying Roosevelt’s anti-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation. In addition, this summer I will attend a statewide conference on Teaching Tolerance. I’ve also contacted the Gay Lesbian Straight Educational Network to inquire about mandatory sensitivity training for our teachers and staff. Above all, it’s imperative to acknowledge teachers like Brian Miller who are unafraid and willing to take leadership roles with organizations such as the Gay Straight Alliance.”
Mr. Marshall’s sincere words of support are overshadowed by the next speaker, a burly red-faced man whose comments are forceful and offensive. “Common sense and biology show us that men and women are supposed to have relations with the opposite sex, not the same sex. God made it this way and you need to quit changing the word of God to fit your ignorant beliefs. You can rant and rave all you want about gay rights. Next thing you know, animal rights activists will want to marry their dogs!”
As the angry man abruptly turns around and heads for the exit, someone yells out, “Redneck!” That’s all it takes for an argument to break out between the Christian club and the more progressive-minded students.
A distressed Mr. Miller rushes to the podium. It takes several attempts before he can finally quiet the audience and get everyone’s attention. “I want to remind everyone that the purpose for holding this forum was not to change anyone’s belief system. The objective of tonight’s panel discussion has been to create a respectful dialogue so that we can learn to respect our differences. Tonight’s forum is not about hateful name-calling and verbal attacks on each other. It is about raising awareness at Roosevelt High School about the importance of creating a safe and comfortable environment for all students. It is our hope to put an end to discrimination of any kind. Thank you all for coming.”