Canton Central plans Gay-Straight Alliance club

CANTON — Two Canton women who want to improve tolerance toward homosexuality have spearheaded plans to create a Gay-Straight Alliance club at Canton Central School which they hope will serve as a model for other St. Lawrence County school districts.

A presentation on the Gay-Straight Alliance organization was given at Thursday evening's school board meeting by Kimber W. Petrie, a special education teacher at Canton, and Mary Ann A. Ashley, a counselor at Seaway Technical Center, Norwood.

"There is a need to improve tolerance in our schools, our community, our society and our world," Ms. Petrie said. "Persecution and intolerance have no place in a civilized society."

Gay-Straight Alliances are student organizations in high schools and colleges that are intended to provide a safe and supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths and their straight supporters.

During their power point presentation, statistics were presented to support creation of the club.

Students who are routinely harassed and bullied are more likely to skip school, perform poorly and drop out, or engage in drinking alcohol, smoking or fighting, according to the information provided.

Ms. Ashley said a steering committee has been created to help get the after-school club off the ground, hopefully by November. The high school's co-curricular committee has already endorsed the idea.

"This could become a model program for other schools in the county," Ms. Ashley said. "The school and the community will benefit from it."

Indian River Central School District, Jefferson County, is the closest district to offer a Gay-Straight Alliance group, according to Ms. Ashley.

School board member Olgierd "Augie" Weiss Jr. asked, "Is there evidence this is a necessary program for Canton Central?"

District Superintendent William A. Gregory responded, "We have gay students at Canton Central. We have gay students who have been harassed at Canton Central. Yes, there is a need."

Ms. Ashley said one of the group's missions is to reduce fear about homosexuality which she described as "a very sensitive issue."

Dorothy W. Lalonde, high school health teacher, said she strongly supports creating a Gay-Straight Alliance at Canton Central.

"I think we're on the cutting edge as far as offering this as an extra curricular. One of the skills in life is being able to advocate for yourself and for others. It's an awesome opportunity for our students," Mrs. Lalonde said.

School board member Marianne DiMarco-Temkin said, "I support this 100 percent. I'm surprised we haven't done this until now."