On the evening of November 26th 2007 the Jefferson County School Board had a meeting, and there was one item on the agenda that over 400 people came to hear about – the inclusion of sexual orientation to the district’s employment and harassment policies. The Campaign for School Equality - a grassroots group organized by teachers, allies, and Fairness staff - worked tirelessly for over six months to bring the item to the Board for its approval. We had pushed for gender identity to be included as well, but the policy subcommittee and new superintendent did not recommend this to the whole Board.

Forty five minutes before the meeting, there was not one empty seat in the auditorium. Overflow rooms equipped with closed circuit television were opened and they were standing room only. Outside the building, voices of children were yelling, "Yes to the Bible, No to the Vote!" Ten feet away, strong voices supporting the policy change chanted to the beat of a drum, "What do we want? Fairness! When do we want it? Now!"

The meeting began and after two hours of commendations, updates, and reports, the policy committee made its report. Fifty people who had signed up to speak to the item were instructed that they would each have three minutes to address the Board.

Jeers and cheers punctuated the proceedings, with members of the opposition yelling out "moron" to the first speaker. A mother and her 7th grade daughter addressed the Board in support of the measure. The young girl held a sign as she waited to speak: "I’d rather be taught by a homosexual than a homophobe!" Ah, the wisdom of the children!

As the night went on, there were twenty strong voices in support of including sexual orientation and each one spoke with respect, dignity, and grace. Speakers included a professor from the Presbyterian seminary, parents, PFLAG, NAACP, several college students, and one student who wants to teach in a couple years! Some of the most inspirational speaking came from transgendered individuals – incredibly brave members of our community.

As the night went on, people who opposed the inclusion of sexual orientation, began bringing out their Bibles. I felt like I was in a twilight zone. Their voices were loud and angry as they screamed at the supporters and Board members. "Homosexuals are abominations to God!" Speaker after speaker stated that homosexuals were perverts, pedophiles, child molesters, and sinners. The opposition held "Protect our Children" signs. The Board was admonished time and time again that they would be judged for how they vote – God was watching them. According to a speaker from the Family Foundation, voting for this measure would open Pandora’s Box and (gasp!) next thing you know, talk of domestic partner benefits would occur. Gay-Straight Alliances in high schools were attacked as a mechanism to train gay activists.

After midnight, the vote was finally called and it passed! Four Board members voted in favor of the inclusion of sexual orientation and three did not. It was truly a victory for the Campaign for School Equality and our allies! 18,000 full and part-time employees, from teachers to administrators to custodians to lunchroom workers and bus riders, are now protected from discrimination and harassment due to their sexual orientation. We celebrated at the Fairness offices in Louisville and affirmed each other and our work.

But the work is far from over. Ignorance and bigotry exists. There has been a dearth of professional development and education regarding sexual orientation for years and years. One Board member has called for limitations and restrictions on what teachers can say and has even implied that stating one’s sexual orientation is adult-child harassment. The distinction between sexual orientation and behavior is simply not understood. On a personal note, I’ve endured some very public attacks in the media, specifically in regards to my work in campaigning for school equality. It’s been tough, but I know I am not alone and I stand in solidarity with so many members of our amazing LGBT community and our mission to live in a fair Kentucky.

The Campaign for School Equality will continue working but we need everyone! YOU can help! Call, write, or email Board members in Jefferson County. Show your support for those who voted in favor of the policy change. Contact all of them and educate them by sharing your stories.

  By Kat Crawford