NEA Drops Homosexuality Resolution

By GREG TOPPO, AP Education Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The National Education Association dropped consideration Wednesday of a resolution that would encourage schools to develop materials supporting the struggles of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and staff.

NEA officials said the teachers' union would instead form a task force to explore the issue ``in a holistic, reasoned way'' before taking any further action.

``This is an emotional topic for everyone and we believe a task force is the best way to first hear everyone's voice and then develop actions that will create safer schools for children and staff,'' said Cathy Figel, who co-chairs the NEA's Gay and Lesbian Caucus.

The NEA was originally scheduled to consider the resolution at its annual meeting, which began Wednesday. The measure was dropped at the recommendation of the Gay and Lesbian Caucus, which met Tuesday.

The delegates also on Wednesday agreed to take up the possibility of a partnership with the American Federation of Teachers, the other major teachers union. A vote on a partnership was expected on Friday.

Such a partnership would represent the first tentative step in the direction of a merger, which has been a subject of debate within both unions for years.

On Tuesday, about 600 protesters picketed the NEA meeting at the city's convention center over the proposal involving homosexuals. They complained the planned resolution promotes homosexuality among students.

The resolution supports the development of curriculum and instructional materials for homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender students and the creation of programs that address problems among those students such as suicide and ``health risk behaviors.'' It also would encourage programs - for all students - highlighting the heritage, culture and history of homosexual, bisexual and transgender people.

One protester, Alexandria Coronado, a trustee for the Anaheim Union High School District, said the resolution ``provides for a radical social agenda that the vast majority of American people do not support.''

Coronado was joined by members of Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry based in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the Capitol Resource Institute, a grassroots organization that supports ``family-friendly policies.''

Talking to reporters Wednesday, NEA President Bob Chase denounced the protest as ``demagoguery'' that ignores the needs of homosexual children.

``Even though they may call themselves Focus on the Family, they are losing focus on kids, and what the needs are of our kids,'' Chase said. ``We have a responsibility to help. That's our responsibility as educators, it's our responsibility as adults. We also have a responsibility to make sure that the rights of our members are protected.''

The NEA said gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students have high dropout and suicide rates and are often treated with hostility by fellow students. Chase also said gay and lesbian teachers in some states face losing their jobs because of their sexual orientation.

``We have positions right now, throughout our organization, that protect the rights of women, that protect the rights of ethnic minorities, that protect the rights of physically challenged - go down the list,'' said Chase. ``Should gay and lesbian kids be excluded from that? I don't think so.''

Chase said he supported formation of the task force.

``We are not in any way backing away from this issue if we don't pass or bring this resolution to the floor,'' he said. ``That's not the intent at all. It's to look at it in a holistic, reasoned way, to make sure we do what we need to do to help all these kids.''

The NEA's Representative Assembly is attended by more than 10,000 delegates representing the organization's 2.6 million members. The NEA is the nation's largest teachers' union.

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