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Out in School

See larger Karyn Brinks, librarian and Gay Straight Alliance sponsor, Fulton High School

Photo by David Luttrell, David Luttrell

Karyn Brinks, librarian and Gay Straight Alliance sponsor, Fulton High School

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  • Conrad Honicker, a sophomore at West High School, was the driving force behind starting a Gay-Straight Alliance at the school in fall 2006. He was just 15, and an unusually vocal activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.
  • Colton McLain, 17, likes that the big mix at Central High School means at least some people accept him. 'I've learned that it all depends on the people.'
  • Karyn Brinks, librarian and Gay Straight Alliance sponsor, Fulton High School
  • Adrienne Dessel, researcher and dialogue and diversity consultant
  • At Central High School's first meeting of the Gay-Straight Alliance, 50 students showed up, remembers English teacher and faculty sponsor Kevin Thomas. 'As we went around the room to share why we were there, it turned out only about one-fifth came because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The rest were just there for support. Some may have been there to disapprove, but if so, it was a very small percentage.'
  • Students nationwide protested LGBT bullying and harassment silently during the 11th national Day of Silence on April 25, a collaborative effort of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network and the United States Student Association.

LGBT teens are now out in greater numbers at school, but even with support clubs and a new county harassment policy, the backlash is blistering.

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