I think there's been a real silver lining with this debate, which is basically a tempest in a teapot. I mean its only one parent complaining.

The benefit has been the dialogue that has been generated about gays students and lesbian students, sexual preferences, sexual diversity, and how any of this is "taught" in a classroom setting.

It is very damaging to have to live in a closet. It harms ones psyche, ones spirit, and sense of well-being. And face it, 10% of the students at Scotts Valley HS (and every OTHER high school across the country) are either GLBT or otherwise not monogamous heterosexuals.

Schools are very special places. Teachers can and do accept every kind of student into their classrooms as our nations resources have empowered them to do. We want our teachers to guard, guide, and help our young men and women to build that inner confidence which will sustain them throughout their adult life.
How can they do this if they must ignore 10% of their students? How can we ask 10% of our teachers to be vague about their personal lives?

As the mother of a gay son, who came out in the 8th grade, I was greatly cheered when I saw Rene Ohana's posters on the wall of her classroom (I've substituted in her class). You see, a few short years ago I agonized when my own son decided he was not going to live in a closet anymore. He was going to tell the truth about his gayness to anyone who asked from that point on. I was terrified for what might happen to him.

Foremost in my mind was the real possibility that he could get the shit beat out of him by other students, expressing a dangerous homophobia. The Ohanas "Safe Place" inverted pink triangle is no joke to me either. It is a real benefit that my son would have appreciated, and many other mother's sons and daughters might have need of someday.

My son not only survived, but he thrived in an atmosphere of openess and truthfulness.

Lastly, since teenagers learn best by example, I cannot fully express my gratitude for the Ohanas own courage in "coming out". Gay and lesbian students need to see that most of all. They need to see real life gay and lesbian role models fully participating in the life of our community.