MPR’s Tom Weber reports that after recent student suicides, there are efforts to change Anoka-Hennepin School District's sexual orientation curriculum policy. The policy states that sexual orientation topics aren't part of the curriculum, and it instructs teachers to remain neutral if the subject comes up in class.
Gay rights advocates, along with parents of students who have been bullied, say the policy more resembles a gag order for teachers and staff. They argue the policy contributes to a hostile atmosphere for gay students because it prevents teachers from validating students' identity and doesn't allow teachers to fully support gay students who are bullied.
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TOM WEBER: By ninth grade, Justin Aaberg was an accomplished cellist and a composer of songs like this one, which he posted on YouTube.
[CELLO MELODY]
Just weeks after finishing his freshman year at Anoka High, Justin killed himself in his bedroom. His mother, Tammy, and his two brothers found him.
TAMMY AABERG: I touched him because I just couldn't believe it. I thought I was in a nightmare. And he was so cold. And I just screamed and ran out and called 911.
TOM WEBER: Tammy Aaberg had known her son was gay for a year and feared for his safety. After he died, she started hearing from other students about how Justin was harassed and bullied.
TAMMY AABERG: He probably hated himself and thought that no one would like him, even though he had tons of friends.
TOM WEBER: Aaberg says there was probably no one thing that pushed Justin to suicide, but she's focusing her grief now on trying to get the Anoka-Hennepin School District to clarify its policies regarding gay students. District leaders say they know that at least two of the seven teens who committed suicide in the past year were gay.
Aaberg and several gay rights groups say district policies on sexual orientation send mixed signals that create an unhealthy atmosphere for gay students. One policy requires neutrality in dealing with sexual orientation issues. It's designed for curriculum, so teachers, for example, won't advocate for or against gay and lesbian issues in the classroom.
But critics say the policy is too vague. It states that staff must remain neutral on matters regarding sexual orientation in the course of their professional duties. But professional duties often include everything from breaking up fights to consoling students. So, say the critics, teachers don't have clear guidance on how to respond during certain situations involving gay students.
Phil Duran is with OutFront Minnesota, a group that helped the district write its policy but which advocated against the neutrality section. Duran says he's spoken to staff who are concerned they might be fired if they don't act in a neutral way to break up a fight involving a gay student or if they show support to a student who wants to talk about sexual orientation.
PHIL DURAN: You've got a series of students who've taken their lives, not because of the policy, of course, but the policy makes it harder for the staff to know what to do in response. And it promotes an environment where the students just feel that much more devalued.
TOM WEBER: Skeptics, though, say it's too big of a leap to blame suicide on the district's sexual orientation policy. A group called the Parents Action League was formed to support Anoka's neutrality policy. Barb Anderson is with the league. She also works for the Minnesota Family Council.
BARB ANDERSON: It was stated that three were over a sexual identity issues, but what about the others? I have no idea. But there's no reason to jump to the conclusion that it's because of the policies that they took their lives.
TOM WEBER: District leaders stand by their policies and say they're continuously clarifying them. The district website lists actions that have been taken to curb harassment of gay students, including training for counselors and other staff.
Superintendent Dennis Carlson says it's unfair to say his district has failed to act. And he has this message for teachers and staff-- district policy requires you to intervene if you see bullying or harassment, and you will never be fired for being supportive if a student wants to talk about sexual orientation.
DENNIS CARLSON: If a gay student comes to a teacher, they should be confident that they can be supportive of that student. If they say I'm gay, I'm troubled, I'm depressed, we should be able to give that student resources to deal with that.
TOM WEBER: Carlson also says he's worried that public discussion on suicide might create copycats. He says that's one reason he hasn't widely publicized past efforts to deal with suicide in the district. Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio news.